Was Upgrading My Cassette From 11-32 to 11-34 Worth It? Trek Domane AL3

Video Description

I bought my 2022 Trek Domane AL 3 in April of 2022. In all the time since it had remained stock other than new bar tape and a seat post which replaced a defective one. So, basically, it had been unmodified. I recently installed a Selle San Marco Aspide carbon fiber saddle I bought a few years ago. Following up on that I bought a wider ratio 11-34 tooth Shimano CS HG400 cassette. It was an easy upgrade, which gave me a 1 to 1 low gear ratio for climbing. On my first ride with it, I did notice a difference. It's not a game changer, but I could feel it on steep climbs. At 380 grams, it weighs 63 grams more than the stock Sora HG400 11-32 tooth unit. I'm good with that. Next up, some tubes and tires I bought, listed below. Costs Initial purchase: $1,414.00 USD plus taxes Selle San Marco Aspide carbon fiber saddle: $0.00, already owned Shimano CS-HG400-9, 9-Speed, 11-34 $25.56 2-Pack CyclAmi TPU Tubes $32.99 Vittoria Zaffiro Rigid Road Bike Tires, 2 @ $24.99 Total $1,528.49 Stock Specifications Frameset Frame 100 Series Alpha Aluminum, tapered head tube, internal routing, fender mounts, DuoTrap S compatible, flat mount disc, 142x12mm thru axle Fork Domane AL carbon, tapered alloy steerer, internal brake routing, fender mounts, flat mount disc, 12x100mm thru axle Frame fit Endurance Wheels Hub front Formula RX-512 alloy, 6-bolt, 100x12mm thru axle Skewer front Bontrager Switch thru axle, removable lever Hub rear Formula RX-142 alloy, 6-bolt, Shimano 11-speed freehub, 142x12mm thru axle Skewer rear Bontrager Switch thru axle, removable lever Rims Bontrager Affinity Disc, Tubeless Ready, 24-hole, 21mm width, presta valve Bontrager Paradigm SL, Tubeless Ready, 24-hole, 21mm width, presta valve Spokes 14g stainless steel Tire Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite, wire bead, 60 tpi, 700x32c Max tire size 35c without fenders, 32c with fenders Drivetrain Shifter Shimano Sora R3000, 9 speed Front derailleur Shimano Sora R3000, 31.8mm clamp Rear derailleur Shimano Sora R3000, mid cage, 34T max cog Cranks Shimano Sora R3000, 50/34 (compact), 170mm length Bottom bracket Shimano RS500, 68mm, threaded external Cassette Shimano Sora HG400, 11-32, 9 speed Chain Shimano Sora HG53, 9 speed Components Saddle Bontrager P3 Verse Comp, steel rails, 145mm width Seatpost Bontrager Comp, 6061 alloy, 27.2mm, 8mm offset, 330mm length Handlebar Bontrager Comp VR-C, alloy, 31.8mm, 100mm reach, 124mm drop, 42cm width Handlebar tape Bontrager Supertack Perforated tape Stem Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 90mm length Headset FSA Integrated, sealed cartridge bearing, 1-1/8'' top, 1.5'' bottom Brake Tektro C550 mechanical disc brake, dual piston, flat mount, 160mm rotor Weight 56 - 10.30 kg / 22.71 lbs