Looking for sugggestions - 12S HG Cassette - 11-42, 44 or possibly 46

[rtuk]

Looking to add bigger range to a Shimano GRX 820 x2 set up.

Current Cassette is 11-36 & I'd be willing to use a generic woolftooth if necessary, but would hope to get there with the B-Screw - lets see.

Order of pref is a 42, then a 44 and lastly a 46

Any suggestions pls?

[Ludo]

I was looking for the same and came up empty handed, went for 11-50…

[jonathanf2]

I'd say give it a few months, Goldix/ZTTO/Spedao only have a handful of 12 speed cassettes available that hit either the road or big MTB ranges. 11 speed still has the majority of 40t-46t rage cassettes. I'd also keep an eye on Sunrace, they already have their 12 speed road and big MTB cassettes available, but nothing yet in the 40t-46t range.

[Ludo]

That’s what I think too, they haven’t caught up to the need yet but they have all the gears needed on other cassettes, shouldn’t be too hard for them to develop.

[raisinberry777]

I wouldn't expect to see it in a hurry given that there's no 2x derailleur that officially supports >36 for 2x or <44 for 1x.

Sunshine makes 12 speed 11-40, 11-42 and 11-46 in their budget cassettes.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_m0Tj2hi

[Ludo]

A lot of gravels are moving to 1x though and long cage are easy to make.
Good find on the sunshine one, is that know quality?

[jonathanf2]

VG Sports does make a 12 speed XD 10-46t, but it's ridiculously expensive for what it is:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805863506837.html

The other cheaper option would be to get a 12 speed MS 10-45t from Shimano. Though all these options would be severely compromised on a 2x setup. Perhaps you could go with a smaller chainring setup to make it happen.

[RDY]

Ingrid make an 11-44.

[rtuk]

Thanks for all the replies - good to see I'm not the only one looking!

Interesting re the AliE Sunshine options - feels like those are a bit too low price, at least without some reviews and I'd be better waiting for more options as you've suggested. Will give it some more thought.

How'd the 11-50 go - B-Screw adjust only or did you use a Wolftooth?

Found the Ingrid one - way too rich for me - like the VG Sports only more https://ingrid.bike/product/cassette-12s-44t11/

[Ludo]

Bike is not yet put together but the Ltwoo derrailleur has 50T capacity, on paper, we’ll see…

[rtuk]

Perhaps you could go with a smaller chainring setup to make it happen.

I didn't think about this properly on first reading - now I see what you mean sorry. Is there something a fair bit smaller than the 31 that the GRX 820 2x comes with & that would fit the cranks? I'll have a proper search online tonight.

[jonathanf2]

I didn't think about this properly on first reading - now I see what you mean sorry. Is there something a fair bit smaller than the 31 that the GRX 820 2x comes with & that would fit the cranks? I'll have a proper search online tonight.

There are a few low cost sub 46-30t 2x chainring/cranksets. None of them are performance oriented. White Industries has a variety of chainring options you can explore, but you'll need to spend money.

https://www.whiteind.com/product/vbc-chainring-sets/

I still say wait a few months, Sunrace seems quick to release cassettes in those gap ranges that Shimano or SRAM haven't addressed. For Shimano GRX, I feel like 11-40t is the most sensible cassette you can run without too much compromise. If you really need mountain climbing gears, 1x and a small chainring upfront is the easiest way to do it.

[rtuk]

I still say wait a few months, Sunrace seems quick to release cassettes in those gap ranges that Shimano or SRAM haven't addressed.

Yes this is where I've ended up after thinking about it again - I can wait because I dont need to change cassette right now - much more that I wanted to get it all sorted out asap.

For Shimano GRX, I feel like 11-40t is the most sensible cassette you can run without too much compromise. If you really need mountain climbing gears, 1x and a small chainring upfront is the easiest way to do it.

1x won't happen for me as I'm looking to dual purpose the bike, with combined road & off-road gearing - but with the minimum of faffing about to switch purpose. Think I'll wait for reports on others progress on 2x with any new Sunraces etc and if I have to 'settle' for a 40 - then that's still a chunky improvement on my 36.