[Closed] Drive train questions

11-32 will have 11 teeth on the smallest sprocket, and 32 on the biggest. Therefore, the jump between each cog/gear will be smaller than if you were using an 11-36. The bigger the cog on the cassette, means easier gear, however, there will then be a bigger gap between each gear. Hope that makes sense.

If you use a triple chainset then i'd advise a 11-32 cassette, as you can use the granny ring to get down to the easier gears. That way you will always be able to get the exact gear you want, without big jumps with every gear change 🙂

Thanks buddy 11-32 it is then.

The 10 speed XT is 24, 32, 42 compared with 22, 32, 44 on the 9 speed. If you tend to use your granny to spin up hills I would go for an 11-34 cassette to make up for the extra teeth on the 10 speed granny.

Personally I would only get the 11-36T cassette along with the double front rings which are 28, 40.

11-32 will be fine though. That is what I am using but I prefer to use a high gear up hills instead of spinning.

Unless you get the 11-36 10 speed is entirely pointless!

I'd have gone 2x10.

Now i'm really confused????

Don't be.

The only thing 10 speed really brings to the table is the 11-36 cassette. That wider range allows you to go to a double or single up front with less of a compromise.

If you use an 11-32 cassette you have slightly closer gaps, but IMO that's no real use on an MTB, and you can just get an 11-32 9 speed cassette and save a packet.

If starting from scratch I'd go 10 speed, but I'd certainly not upgrade unless I was going 1 or 2x10.

To sum up:

11-32 is fine with triple

11-34 if you prefer to spin or have some very steep hills or on a 29er etc.

11-36 if you are going for the double front set up (2x10) which is what I would do personally.

I too am running 10 speed front rings but I kept my 9 speed rear set up as no point in upgrading until it wears out. I have 11-32 and I rarely use granny anyway let alone need the 32T or anything bigger.