Shimano CS-R8000 Cassette Ultegra 11-Speed

Let me start by dispelling the belief that pros don't ride a 34 cassette, that's just not the case. Two of the most successful pro' s of recent times used/use 34 cassette's. Both fantastic climbers both spinners of a 34 tooth cassette: Alberto Contador and Chris Froome. Why then if it's good enough for these two is their reluctance from meer mortals to not go bigger than a 32 cassette? I had this reluctance and indeed reluctantly replaced a 32 cassette with the roughly 50g heavier 34 CS-HG800 cassette for a recent few days training in the Lakes. My decision was fueled by tearing my left hamstring circa 6 weeks before and that I had turned 50 in August. Therefore why did I still feel ashamed that I'd gone bigger than a 32 cassette. Why indeed as I was soon spinning ... MoreLet me start by dispelling the belief that pros don't ride a 34 cassette, that's just not the case. Two of the most successful pro' s of recent times used/use 34 cassette's. Both fantastic climbers both spinners of a 34 tooth cassette: Alberto Contador and Chris Froome. Why then if it's good enough for these two is their reluctance from meer mortals to not go bigger than a 32 cassette? I had this reluctance and indeed reluctantly replaced a 32 cassette with the roughly 50g heavier 34 CS-HG800 cassette for a recent few days training in the Lakes. My decision was fueled by tearing my left hamstring circa 6 weeks before and that I had turned 50 in August. Therefore why did I still feel ashamed that I'd gone bigger than a 32 cassette. Why indeed as I was soon spinning up The Struggle helped by very quiet, smooth and effiencient shifting cassette. I'd had to turn round and freewheel down hill twice on the way up whilst two cars in front of me had to come to almost a standstill as they passed cars coming down this steep and long accent from Ambleside to the top of kirkstone Pass. It wasn't until I watched a fit looking fella on YouTube climb it almost 5 minutes slower than I had that I started to become a fan of my new 34 CS-HG800 cassette. This love affair was strengthened on the accent of Honister where again I found myself spinning and even singing songs thanks to my new best friend. It would be easy for me to say Shimano should have copied Sram having the 34 and 32 as a bail out gear's with the rest of the cassette a close ratio affair. However, although not for everyone the ratio's used on the 34 CS-HG800 cassette have you spinning even in the big ring and significantly in the gears which give the best chain line. This means you spend most of your time in the big ring with a very effiencient cadence. This means faster average speed with lower overall fatigue and therefore greater miles covered and more enjoyment had. The 34 CS-HG800 cassette makes this possible. It's not expensive, it's efficient and silent in operation. I chose to use a Wolf Road Link which puts your derailleur lower and therefore increases it's capacity. It is possible to switch the b screw round to give a Shimano derailleur enough clearance to handle the 34 teeth of this cassette's lowest gear though.

Certainly as good as the R7000 105 equivalent and probably just as good as the Tiagra equivalent. Pricey, but then isn't everything these days? Best to disregard the upfront cost and instead look at the price (as well as the enjoyment had) per km/mile when you next come to replace it. I would buy the same again.

Designed for junior racing, but the incremental single tooth steps between gears well suits my personal riding, and the local terrain of typical routes taken. Combined with a 50/34 chainset, the gearing provides a range on just one ring in which every cog is usable for 95% of the time, and since my avg speeds on rides on the flats are always around 25-30kph, a 14t high gear is not a limiting factor for me. This cassette requires the Shimano SS rear derailleur, short cage, or other brand equivalent. The GS wont work bc the maximum high gear cog for the GS is 12t.