[Bikeventures]

Does the extra range always trump the benefits of weight savings?

Example: 11x42 vs 11x46

I estimate weight penalty is around an extra quarter pound.

 

[jestep]

Depends on the range you need. If you're going from 1x - 1x, then it's literally dependent on whether you need/want the extra gearing. If you're coming from 2 or 3x, you can usually get the same range and save weight with even a heavy wide range cassette once you lose the front ring, shifter, cable, and derailleur.

 

[Lone Rager]

Yeah. Depends what you mean by trump. If you can't make it up a hill with a 42 but you can with a 46, the 1/4 lb is inconsequential.

Look at it this way. Say you and your bike weight 220 lb (100 kg). Going up hill, a 46 will make it ~10% easier to pedal than a 42. You'd have to lose 22 lb to make it equivalently easy to pedal up that hill. That said, you'd be going 10% faster if you lost that 22 lb.

 

[Harold]

IMO, achieving a particular target gearing (whatever works best for the rider and terrain) is more important than the weight of the parts to get there.

 

[kapusta]

IMO, achieving a particular target gearing (whatever works best for the rider and terrain) is more important than the weight of the parts to get there.

This^^^^^

 

[Forest Rider]

Is there a different jump between some gears that are currently spaced?
That could make it less fun to ride if you are continually shifting between 2 or 3 gears for the right flow.

 

[David R]

There's actually a third aspect to this dilemma to consider, it's really; weight vs range vs price.

For me the XG1150 10-42 SRAM is a good middle ground for everything, gives me sufficient range with a 30T up front, is reasonably cheap and not too heavy. If the sub-400g weights shown on JensonUSA for the new XT cassettes are right then I might finally consider going 12sp; XT 10-51 $159 and 367g, SRAM GX Eagle 10-50 $215 and 450g.

 

[twodownzero]

The answer is of course yes. Weight does not matter. Having the right gear matters a LOT. Even if you seldom use it.

 

[Forest Rider]

You'll need a different freehub body for the Shimano too, right?
With luck, that larger hub will weight less than the one currently on your bike.

 

[RS VR6]

The 12sp cassettes and derailleurs are really big. I didn't realized how big till I put the bikes side by side with an 11sp. At least for now...if I need moar low...I'll go to a smaller front ring.

 

[David R]

Weight does not matter.

Usually I'd agree with that, except for when it comes to wheels. How much it matters I'm not sure (still waiting to demo a Zerode) but if you're going to be a weight weenie about any part of your bike the wheels are by far the most important part.

 

[One Pivot]

XT to XT, going from 42t to 46t is more like 30g. Its hardly anything. For XTR, 45 to 51t is only 10 grams.

You gotta switch to sram cassettes to get those 1/4 pound changes, but the price quadruples too.

 

[sebbyr]

My e13 9-46 12 Speed is lighter than my existing Sram XX1 11 speed, and more range too.

 

[Shark]

Paying more than$100 for a cassette is silly