Sram 11-28 or shimano 11-28 for big hills

ed34

Looking at getting an 11-28 to replace my current 12-27 (chainrings are 50/34) but not sure which one to get.

Shimano is 11-12-13-14-15-17-19-21-24-28

Sram is 11-12-13-14-15-17-19-22-25-28

so they are the same except the 2nd and 3rd largest on the Sram are one tooth bigger than the shimano. I was thinking the Sram might be better for the lakes where i live as the jump between the 2 largest is slightly smaller?

Thanks

Pokerface

Better spacing on the Sram is all. Probably won't notice it much either way. Which ever one is cheaper!

Garz

Pokerface wrote:

Better spacing on the Sram is all. Probably won't notice it much either way. Which ever one is cheaper!

+1

sonny73

Yep +1 too on that, though I do run an 11-28 SRAM PG 1070 and it's craking.

Garz

Craking?

Maybe take it back to the lbs.. 8)

Chris James

I'm not sure the spacing on the SRAM one is better.

In practice buying a 28 tooth cassette implies you want a couple of bale out gears for really steep hills. The Shimona one is closer spaced on the more generally used gears (19-21) so better for cruising but still has the same bale out options.

However, the difference isn't huge!

John.T

Chris James wrote:

I'm not sure the spacing on the SRAM one is better.

In practice buying a 28 tooth cassette implies you want a couple of bale out gears for really steep hills. The Shimona one is closer spaced on the more generally used gears (19-21) so better for cruising but still has the same bale out options.

However, the difference isn't huge!

+1.

geebee2

Seems to me it's a pretty close call.

You can make an argument either way.

If you expect to be using the 2 lowest gears quite a bit, I think the SRAM spacing is better. You have a smaller change up from 34/28 to 34/25.

But if the lowest gear will hardly ever be used, then the Shimano is probably better, especially when you are on the 50 front ring - where you won't be using the 28 in any case.

Mark Alexander

What's your reason for changing? If it's just because you're new to it then IMHO, Don't waste your money. You'll get stronger and there's almost no value in the 1 extra tooth.

MTFU. There really shouldn't be anything much you can't get up with 39x 25 in the uk on a road bike more so with a 34 front. If it's a tourer with saddle bags then fair enough.

geebee2

He's in the lakes.

There is a difference between being able to get up a hill, and having gears to get up with optimum comfort and effort.

If cadence is falling below about 60 regularly, the extra tooth could be worth it.

Depends if the replacement is needed anyway because the old cassette is worn out.

I used to only have a 42/21, (7 speed) which was not so good for steep hills.

I now have 34/25 and a lighter bike, which I find more than adequate for any hill round where I live.

John.T

I would stick with the 12/27. The 16 is much more use than the 11 and the difference between 27 and 28 is not great.