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

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

[@andersonsalazar5757]

Another relaxing video, with the best soundtrack. Love to watch your videos after a long day before go to sleep. Love your channel, regards from Brazil! keep it up Jim!

[@JimsObsessiveCyclingDisorder]

Thank you very much!

[@r.d.vaughan4541]

Thanks for the video. Please start waxing your chain. You'll be blown away, simply by how much cleaner your bike will be, even more than the extended longevity of your group set. Use one of Silca's chain factory grease stripping products. In the end switching to a waxed chain will save you money over the up front cost. Anyone saying it is a hassle likely isn't using that method. As the wax heats at a low temp you just put the chain in a cheap hotpot and leave it without concern. Wax to your own schedule.

[@brianrosenlof388]

Glad it works for you. I upgraded from 11-28 to 11-32 this year. I thought it would make a fairly substantial difference. The interesting thing about the new cassette is that the second largest gear is a 28 tooth, matching the previous largest gear. When I'm climbing hills, I can honestly just barely tell any difference at all between the two gears. I was kind of surprised. Maybe I need to find some bigger hills. 😂

[@kenblair2538]

Great video. Just wait until your my age (78). I have a 11-36 cassette with 50/34 , all Sora . I took 2 , 9 speed cassettes apart, to get the gear range I needed. This was about 4 years ago. Recently, I found a deal on a 10 speed GRX 46/30 crankset, and wow ! Not many hills in my area, these old legs can't grind up.KB

[@JimsObsessiveCyclingDisorder]

Even just a couple more teeth helped.

[@Mx-Er]

Nice video and background music! Bought a used bike where the cassette was also changed from 11-32 to 11-34. However the whole cassette is loose and therefore also makes noise when driving. Did I see it correctly that you put on a spacer before putting on the cassette? Wonder if it might be missing on mine... Thanks!

[@Миле-н5у]

Nice video✅ My question : Is 3x8, with 12-32 better FOR CLIMBING then 3x7, with 14-28?

[@gerrysecure5874]

I "upgraded" the chainring from 53/39 to 52/39/30 and the cassette from 12..25 to 12..27 to 12..30 over the last 40 years 😂. But I finished the 7hr alpine brevet 1hr faster than 27 years ago. The easier gears helped certainly 💪

[@JimsObsessiveCyclingDisorder]

That's great! Yes, a 1 to 1 low ratio certainly helps.

[@eugenematison5571]

Are you sure that you do not need to change chain too from 112 to 114 links?

[@zaxx1857]

Naaaa it gonna hold fine

[@eugenematison5571]

@@zaxx1857 thank you

[@ianboyd9723]

I fitted a 11-40 on my mountain bike, which had a 11-34, and you can’t use the 40, because you ride that slow, that you wobble and eventually have to get off

[@JimsObsessiveCyclingDisorder]

Hi, I've got an 11-50 on my Rockhopper, but I've never had that problem. Plenty of others, but not that one, LOL.

[@alessandroangolano5326]

Did you have to change the chain? Im looking to change my cassette too, from an 8 speed 11-32 to a 11-34, but I have doubts about the necessity of changing the chain. Thank you.

[@JimsObsessiveCyclingDisorder]

Hi, No I did not change the chain, and it runs just fine. That said, I am running the stock Sora derailleur too.

[@kevinborovsky3558]

Ah the major tinkering has begun 😂😂😂😂. What is up next hmmmmm

[@JimsObsessiveCyclingDisorder]

Low rolling resistance tires and lightweight TPU tubes. Or so I hear.

[@xd1be9nb7v]

That's a downgrade. 11-32 is better. When your legs become stronger you're going to put that old cassette back. 😅

[@JimsObsessiveCyclingDisorder]

Agree to disagree. 🙂

[@heavymetal6910]

Utter nonsense xd1be , the gearing that works for Jim is his correct gearing