11-34t Cassette

[bennytalent]

So I'm very inexperienced in this area of bike mechanics... but according to my LBS, I could use a replacement for my existing Shimano HG800 11-speed

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/equipment/cycling-components/bike-cassettes-freewheels/shimano-hg800-11-speed-bicycle-cassette/p/560043/

Can I replace it with this Ali Express cassette?

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807353803495.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.1.50f0RmCyRmCyXd&algo_pvid=7577c372-de27-4f00-bceb-c46757be7d0a&algo_exp_id=7577c372-de27-4f00-bceb-c46757be7d0a-0&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2169.77%2130.99%21%21%21505.58%21224.56%21%402101e7f617377570004642162e2e0e%2112000041213348616%21sea%21US%210%21ABX&curPageLogUid=OhfVACAv6V4Y&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A

I also only use 2-3 gears in my very flat town, would it be worth considering a cassette with a narrower range?

[jerozilla]

So I'm very inexperienced in this area of bike mechanics... but according to my LBS, I could use a replacement for my existing Shimano HG800 11-speed

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/equipment/cycling-components/bike-cassettes-freewheels/shimano-hg800-11-speed-bicycle-cassette/p/560043/

Can I replace it with this Ali Express cassette?

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807353803495.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.1.50f0RmCyRmCyXd&algo_pvid=7577c372-de27-4f00-bceb-c46757be7d0a&algo_exp_id=7577c372-de27-4f00-bceb-c46757be7d0a-0&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2169.77%2130.99%21%21%21505.58%21224.56%21%402101e7f617377570004642162e2e0e%2112000041213348616%21sea%21US%210%21ABX&curPageLogUid=OhfVACAv6V4Y&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A

I also only use 2-3 gears in my very flat town, would it be worth considering a cassette with a narrower range?

TBH if you only use 2-3 gears on flats then yes, 11-34/11-36 is what I use because I hate hills. If I lived in the Netherlands or Florida I would be running a much smaller range. But if DuraAce made something more than 11-34 I think I'd have it due to my disdain for hills. I know I can slap a 11-36 12spd 105 cassette if I really needed a bit more.

[johnnyboy4711]

got this one for sram 1x setup for gravel and CX.
light and good quality.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007423355645.html?pdp_npi=4%40dis%21EUR%21%E2%82%AC%2078%2C51%21%E2%82%AC%2035%2C33%21%21%21581.59%21261.72%21%4021038c7817378442453994569d4c57%2112000040698679448%21sh%21IE%21130344404%21X&spm=a2g0o.store_pc_home.allitems_choice_2009178278755.1005007423355645

[Sminchnz]

Yip, if it’s flat I’d get a cassette with as small a range as possible - might as well use a couple more closely spaced cogs on a 11-25 than have large cogs you never use on an 11-34. 

[Serge_K]

cassette nerd here.
cassette for the flat: 12-25 11s, or equivalent. the shimano one used to be 12-25, not 11-25, from memory. but it's awesome, i abused it so much on the flat. you always get the perfect cadence, it's wonderful.
Alternatively, do 11-28, if you have the occasional hill. it's still good, but not as good.
definitely dont get more, 11-32, 34, 36, if you dont ride your bike uphill makes no sense, because YES, it IS better to have a tighter range of gears, it does matter.
But obviously, if you get 12-25, dont show up to the mountains. it's very easy to swap a cassette though, you just need the 2 tools, or get a friend to do it, it takes me under 5min for sure.

And yes, you can get it from aliexpress. for the flat, weight doesnt matter, so get a full steel one, standard. shimano is the standard. it should cost you ~25$ shipped. 
dont get aluminium, not relevant for your use case.
no need to pay extra for a super light one because you ride on the flat.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006695084037.html
11s 11-25 there, i see at 20 eur w shipping to europe. i'd get that one, or equivalent.

[ausmtb8989]

So I'm very inexperienced in this area of bike mechanics... but according to my LBS, I could use a replacement for my existing Shimano HG800 11-speed

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/equipment/cycling-components/bike-cassettes-freewheels/shimano-hg800-11-speed-bicycle-cassette/p/560043/

Can I replace it with this Ali Express cassette?

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807353803495.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.1.50f0RmCyRmCyXd&algo_pvid=7577c372-de27-4f00-bceb-c46757be7d0a&algo_exp_id=7577c372-de27-4f00-bceb-c46757be7d0a-0&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2169.77%2130.99%21%21%21505.58%21224.56%21%402101e7f617377570004642162e2e0e%2112000041213348616%21sea%21US%210%21ABX&curPageLogUid=OhfVACAv6V4Y&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A

I also only use 2-3 gears in my very flat town, would it be worth considering a cassette with a narrower range?

What's your front chainring?  personally for me 11-30 with 50-36 at front, 36-30 is good for 15% gradients for me at decent cadence. 

[bennytalent]

What's your front chainring?  personally for me 11-30 with 50-36 at front, 36-30 is good for 15% gradients for me at decent cadence.

Looks like 40t in front, 1x

[jonathanf2]

If you live in a flat town I would just get a Shimano 105 11-28t cassette or smaller and call it a day. I wouldn't even bother with AliExpress cassettes unless weight or special gearing is a priority.

[Tilmanstoa5ty]

I can vouch for the Sunshine cassette Serge recommended. I am using the exact same one on my smarttrainer. Got the 105 cassette on the bike and the Sunshine one on the trainer and performance/shifting wise there's no difference. For that price it's really good value. The 105 is nice and shiny though while the Sunshine is matte (if you care about that).

[bennytalent]

I can vouch for the Sunshine cassette Serge recommended. I am using the exact same one on my smarttrainer. Got the 105 cassette on the bike and the Sunshine one on the trainer and performance/shifting wise there's no difference. For that price it's really good value. The 105 is nice and shiny though while the Sunshine is matte (if you care about that).

Looks good, would you know if this is compatible with a Shimano GRX groupset?

[Tilmanstoa5ty]

It's 100% compatible.

Only one thing to watch out for: Your current 11-34 cassette should be installed with a 1,85mm spacer to fit your freehub. If you choose to go for a smaller cassette like 11-28 this spacer is not required. (This has nothing to do with grx compatibility just wanted to let you know)