[dcorn]

Got it on my bike, shifts great with Red drivetrain and KMC chain. I went from a compact to a standard crankset when I bought a new bike, so having the 28t on the low end was really nice if I'm just dead tired on a big climb.

 

[ddimick]

I ran an Ultegra 11-28 for half a year, then swapped it out for a SRAM 12-28. I do occasionally miss the 11 but the slightly closer cassette works with my cadence better. I run it with a compact as I regularly climb hills with steep grades (15%+) and am too much of a wuss to do it with a 25.

 

[ziscwg]

I ran an Ultegra 11-28 for half a year, then swapped it out for a SRAM 12-28. I do occasionally miss the 11 but the slightly closer cassette works with my cadence better. I run it with a compact as I regularly climb hills with steep grades (15%+) and am too much of a wuss to do it with a 25.

I'm even more of a wimp than you. I have an 11-32 for them steep hills. My knees hate me if the cadence gets too low.

 

[Bob Ross]

I've used both Ultegra 11-28 and SRAM 11-28. Didn't like the spacing on the SRAM, although I love the SRAM 11-26, and that's my go-to cassette for my #2 bike. Kept the Ultegra 11-28 on my #1 bike, which is my travel bike (S&S couplers) for all those mountain stages that I wasn't expecting on vacation!

Yeah, those last two jumps to the big cogs are kinda clunky, but jeebus, you're only using them when you're heading up a steep hill, not sure why anyone would expect a smooth, uneventful shift at that point in a ride. They're the bailout gears! I'm perfectly willing to put up with an interruption of my blissfully perfect cadence if it means I can continue riding uphill.

 

[deviousalex]

Yeah, those last two jumps to the big cogs are kinda clunky, but jeebus, you're only using them when you're heading up a steep hill, not sure why anyone would expect a smooth, uneventful shift at that point in a ride. They're the bailout gears.

I use my 39x28 even when going up some not very steep hills (i.e. 8-10%) to keep my cadence up. It helps me go faster.

 

[ddimick]

Yeah, those last two jumps to the big cogs are kinda clunky, but jeebus, you're only using them when you're heading up a steep hill, not sure why anyone would expect a smooth, uneventful shift at that point in a ride. They're the bailout gears! I'm perfectly willing to put up with an interruption of my blissfully perfect cadence if it means I can continue riding uphill.

I wasn't referring to the gaps in the bailout gears. The 12-28 takes away the 11 but gives you a 16. I use the 16 way more than I ever used the 11.

 

[eschummer]

11-32?

I'm even more of a wimp than you. I have an 11-32 for them steep hills. My knees hate me if the cadence gets too low.

So where can I get an 11-32? I run Ultegra and I only heard rumors of a 30 coming out next year, but a 32? Does the derailleur handle this without issue? I live on a steep hill as well and it's hell coming home after a 30 mi or so, and having to do that hill at the end, even with a 28..

 

[Juzzy004]

I used a Dura-Ace 11-28T cassette with 53-39T standard 172.5mm cranks on the weekend for a Cyclo that combined 5-6% inclines and some 60-70kmph descents and had no issues. Tend to always ride with an average cadence of 90rpm anyway, so enjoyed having this fitted.
For flat courses and crits, I revert back to the 11-25T.
Just be sure to measure chain stretch and wear before fitting any new cassettes or they won't mesh.

 

[acid_rider]

i have both Ultagera 12-27 and 11-28 on two different bicycles. No issues, if the gearing works for you then go for it, as long as the derailleurs etc are compatible and the chain length is correct.

I do agree that there is a very wide 4-tooth gap in 11-28 (24-28) but all this will be forgotten on a steep climb when you need the insurance gear to get your out of trouble.

I even went further - on 11-28 bike I converted to compact 50/34 front rings, and that combination is as fast as my second bike with 53/39 and 12-27. The 50-11 is a little faster than 53-12 (about 1 mile per hour faster at 90rpm).

 

[Ken2]

So where can I get an 11-32?

Shimano makes 11-32 in mtn groups, XT/SLX etc., but it' 9 speed.

But SRAM's new Apex group has an 11-32 with 10 cogs, totally compatible with Shimano. I run one with a compact front, useful for >7% grades in Colorado at 8000'+.

You may need to switch derailleurs, but Shimano's specs on max teeth are very conservative. My 11-32 is running with a medium cage 105 derailleur and works fine. You will need to set the 'B' screw adjustment very far in to avoid the taller cogs rubbing on the derailleur pulleys. One trick to get extra distance with the B screw is to turn the screw head around and put it in the opposite direction.

 

[JasonLopez]

I like 12-28 on a triple crank, for the tight spacing on the small cogs and large gears out back for climbs.

Now on a compact crank I like SRAM apex's 11-32 because I am a giant wuss.

IMO people who run "tight spaced" cassettes seem to also cross chain a lot or never climb.

Cassettes like an 11-25 may be more suited for a racing environment on a racing rig. Certainly not on your everyday training bike, even if that is also your race rig.

12-x's are also good choices if you do not desire that high top end and do not bomb down hill often at 50mph. My 52x12 spins out around 40-45 mph.

 

[deviousalex]

IMO people who run "tight spaced" cassettes seem to also cross chain a lot or never climb.

Now that's just making assumptions . I set a PR up a 4.2 mile 7.1% climb using my 53/39 and 11-23 the other day. I normally run a 11-28 but I couldn't pass up a deal on a SRAM Red cassette for $35.

 

[2Slo4U]

I love my 11-28 cassette paired with my compact crankset. The top two gears are great on those 14 mile climbs and the 11t comes in handy when one is trying to stay in the draft of someone who is at least 30 lbs heavier and can easily pull away going downhill...

 

[Trek2.3]

Shamino has a 10 speed 11-32 cassette (34 also I believe). It's for a MTB but it fits road bikes fine. I have one on the Trek 1.5 that I keep in Europe. It is a pleasure to ride.

I almost never use the very lowest gear but it is so nice to know I have 1 more left. :thumbsup: BTW, crank is a triple.

Shimano XT M771 11-32t 10 speed Cassette

 

[eschummer]

Now that's just making assumptions . I set a PR up a 4.2 mile 7.1% climb using my 53/39 and 11-23 the other day. I normally run a 11-28 but I couldn't pass up a deal on a SRAM Red cassette for $35.

I had been running an 11-28 (compact crank) for a year, and just switched to a 12-25. I actually prefer this setup now. On my typical climb the 34/25 combination seems to hit the 'sweet spot" between cadence and effort. I might not have said that a year ago, and I expect that "the best" setup will probably change over time for pretty much every rider...Maybe some day I will switch to a 53/39 as well...or maybe try something in between.

 

[aengbretson]

I use the 11-28 105 cassette on my cross bike. I probably don't need the 11 with my 46, but I'm considering going to a 1x10 setup with a 40 or 42 in which case the 11 would be needed. I like that I can stay in my big ring for basically all of a cross race no matter what the conditions are.

 

[deviousalex]

I had been running an 11-28 (compact crank) for a year, and just switched to a 12-25. I actually prefer this setup now. On my typical climb the 34/25 combination seems to hit the 'sweet spot" between cadence and effort. I might not have said that a year ago, and I expect that "the best" setup will probably change over time for pretty much every rider...Maybe some day I will switch to a 53/39 as well...or maybe try something in between.

I run a compact on my other bike (mostly used for crits now, even though it's the 'endurance geometry' of the two) and the only reason I have a standard is because I bought the bike used and it came with it. It's not too bad of a change, 39/28 is about equal to a 34/24. I have not yet attempted to climb that 26% hill around here with the standard yet but I'll hopefully give it a shot soon!

 

[Pitts Pilot]

It shifts like butter. (Seriously you road dudes need to ride a mountain bike once in a while.)

 

[onthebottom]

Do you really need an 11 cog?
http://www.gear-calculator.com/#KB=34,50&RZ=11,12,13,14,15,17,19,22,25,28&TF=85&UF=2099&SL=2

I just answered that question for myself, moving (worn out) from a 11-27 to a 12-27... I won't miss the 11 and will like having the 16 on my dura ace setup.... I've found that while spinning 90rpm there is a full 10 RPM drop between 15-17 which I find annoying....

 

[c_h_i_n_a_m_a_n]

Just built my road bike recently with compact cranks and ultegra 11-28 cassette. It is good to have the extra gear around when you are spinning up the incline.