new cassette advice

jozeppi

keeping my old wheels and cassette for winter, cassette sram pg-950 9speed 11-34 when i put together a new wheelset would like to up grade cassette to xt or similar lighter would be better would need to be compatible with a kmc z99 chain any advice would be welcome
Thanks

white91

Get an XT then

The Rookie

XT, or if 11-32 is OK then the SLX 11-32 is cheaper and lighter than an XT 11-34.

All MTB cassettes (9 speed) will suite your chain.

jozeppi

Having only used the 11-34 what are the pros and cons with 11-32 riding all kinds of terrain on xc bike

Chunkers1980

You won't have as lower gear in your granny, and the ratios are different, especially in the smaller cogs

felix.london

what size chain rings do you run?

jozeppi

Chainrings 44/32/22

jairaj

If the chain has done many miles, it might be worth considering getting a new chain too. Chains and Cassettes can wear together so the worn profiles match each other and work well together. But when you use a new cassette with heavily used chain the profiles don't match and the chain can end up skipping a lot.

Have a read of Sheldon Browns website, it explains in more detail.

felix.london

jozeppi wrote:

Having only used the 11-34 what are the pros and cons with 11-32 riding all kinds of terrain on xc bike

jozeppi wrote:

Chainrings 44/32/22

If at some point in the future you would change to a 22/36 dual-ring set-up an 11-32t cassette would allow you to get away with a medium cage mech which is a big plus for me - lighter, shorter chain (less chain slap), less chance of rock strikes etc.

Saying that if you went for a 22/32 set-up you could use an 11-36t cassette but for XC that might leave you a bit short on the top end.

jozeppi

Thanks for advice and sum good ideas went for xt in the end cheap from crc