Let me start by dispelling the belief that pros don't ride a 34 cassette, that's just not the case. Two of the most successful pro' s of recent times used/use 34 cassette's. Both fantastic climbers both spinners of a 34 tooth cassette: Alberto Contador and Chris Froome. Why then if it's good enough for these two is their reluctance from meer mortals to not go bigger than a 32 cassette? I had this reluctance and indeed reluctantly replaced a 32 cassette with the roughly 50g heavier 34 CS-HG800 cassette for a recent few days training in the Lakes. My decision was fueled by tearing my left hamstring circa 6 weeks before and that I had turned 50 in August. Therefore why did I still feel ashamed that I'd gone bigger than a 32 cassette. Why indeed as I was soon spinning up The Struggle helped by very quiet, smooth and effiencient shifting cassette. I'd had to turn round and freewheel down hill twice on the way up whilst two cars in front of me had to come to almost a standstill as they passed cars coming down this steep and long accent from Ambleside to the top of kirkstone Pass. It wasn't until I watched a fit looking fella on YouTube climb it almost 5 minutes slower than I had that I started to become a fan of my new 34 CS-HG800 cassette. This love affair was strengthened on the accent of Honister where again I found myself spinning and even singing songs thanks to my new best friend. It would be easy for me to say Shimano should have copied Sram having the 34 and 32 as a bail out gear's with the rest of the cassette a close ratio affair. However, although not for everyone the ratio's used on the 34 CS-HG800 cassette have you spinning even in the big ring and significantly in the gears which give the best chain line. This means you spend most of your time in the big ring with a very effiencient cadence. This means faster average speed with lower overall fatigue and therefore greater miles covered and more enjoyment had. The 34 CS-HG800 cassette makes this possible. It's not expensive, it's efficient and silent in operation. I chose to use a Wolf Road Link which puts your derailleur lower and therefore increases it's capacity. It is possible to switch the b screw round to give a Shimano derailleur enough clearance to handle the 34 teeth of this cassette's lowest gear though.
Product Details
Shimano CS-HG800 11-Speed Cassette
A top-quality cassette is what makes the wheels turn, your gear changes smooth, and your riding experience crisp. With the Shimano CS-HG800 11-Speed Cassette offering a versatile degree of usage, you can be sure to cover a great deal of ground with a slick rear cone offering you the wide-ranging ratios that you might need when tackling tougher stuff out on the road.
Offering up an impressively broad ratio, this cassette at 11-34 teeth is ideal for both mountain bikers as well as road riders looking for a huge field to call upon when tackling really tough climbs. Lightweight at just 355 grams, and compatible with 11-speed HG-EV chains and Shimano fit rear hubs, this rear cassette is ready to offer you top-quality engagement on your ride.
Hyperglide EV sprockets are designed to improve the ease of gear changes and further reduce weight, this redesigned shaping reduces long-term wear and improves the longevity and durability of this option on your bike.
Features
- Lightweight 11-speed HG-EV cassette with rigid alloy sprocket carrier
- Better shifting performance, even under the most demanding gear changes
- Hyperglide EV sprockets have been designed to reduce weight
- Provides accurate shifting and reduced wear
- Wide gear range to meet the demands of all types of rider
- Can be used on narrower MTB freehubs when used without spacer
- For use with 11-speed HG-EV chains
- Compatible with Road and MTB hubs
- Compatible with Shimano fit rear hubs
Specifications
- Discipline Compatibility
- Road
- Speed
- 11
- Cassette [Gearing]
- 11-30
- Cassette [Maker]
- Shimano
- Cassette [Model]
- CS-HG800
- Family
- Shimano Ultegra
- Freehub Standard
- HG
- Speed Compatibility
- 11-speed
- Product code
- 747239 / 54296128553306
Reviews
Perfect Ultegra balance of cost/weight/performance for my custom winter/gravel build
Shipping & Returns
Free UK delivery on orders over £50. Orders are dispatched within 1-2 working days and typically arrive 1-2 working days later.
Return unused items in their original packaging within 30 days of delivery. Return postage is £3.50.
Q & A
13 questions answered
It's time I renewed my casette - Ultegra 11-speed 11-32 with di2. Will the rear derailleur cope with 11-34? It's labelled RD6870
Hi Simon, This will only work on a R8050 GS rear mech, Many thanks Joe W
Hello, I have a canyon grail cf sl di2 2021 Is this cassette compatible?
Hi there, If your bike has a long cage mech and is 11 speed this will work, Many thanks Joe W
I have a Cervelo S3 (2019/20) with Ultegra 11-30 cassette and 52/36 front chain rings. I am thinking about changing the cassette to a 11-32 or 11-34. Will either of these fit without changing the rear derailleur cage.
Hi Dave, No you will need to upgrade to the GS rear mech to us the 11/32 or 34 cassettes Many thanks Joe W
About Shimano
Shifting the way the world rides.
From a single Osaka workshop in 1921, Shimano has grown into the world's most influential component maker. The brand's relentless engineering — Dura-Ace, Ultegra, GRX, XTR — has shaped the way the world shifts, brakes and rides, on the road and off it.
Shimano's flagship groupset, Dura-Ace, has been the benchmark for top-level road components for more than five decades. Every refinement that lands on Dura-Ace eventually shapes the entire Shimano range, all the way down to entry-level drivetrains.
