Ideal for road, endurance and gravel riders who want 11-speed Shimano-compatible wide-range gearing and need it to work with an existing HG wheelset.
The Shimano CS-HG700-11 is a practical choice for riders chasing a lower climbing gear without turning a road or all-road bike into a compatibility headache. Its 11-34T spread gives you a noticeably easier low gear than tighter road cassettes, and the official fit across 10- and 11-speed HG freehubs is the big reason it remains such a popular option for upgrades and rebuilds.
What makes this cassette stand out is how neatly it solves a common problem: plenty of riders want 11-speed gearing on an older Shimano HG wheel, but not every road cassette will fit. This one is built around that need, with Shimano listing it for HG spline M freehubs and compatibility information showing it within Shimano’s 2x11 road and gravel ecosystem when matched correctly. In plain terms, it’s a very handy option if you want lower gears on an older wheelset, a winter bike, or a mixed-surface drop-bar build.
On the road, the feel is aimed more at real-world versatility than tight race spacing. You give up some of the close-ratio steps of an 11-28 or 11-30 cassette, but you gain a much friendlier low gear for long climbs, tired legs and rougher rides. If that sounds like your kind of riding, this cassette makes a lot of sense.
11-34T climbing range
Gives you a lower bailout gear for steep climbs, mixed terrain and long days when conserving your legs matters.
11-speed Shimano road fit
Designed for Shimano 11-speed use on drop-bar bikes, with gearing that suits endurance, all-road and gravel-style riding.
Fits 10- and 11-speed HG freehubs
A standout option when you want to upgrade gearing without automatically replacing older compatible wheels.
GS rear derailleur required
Best matched to Shimano medium-cage rear derailleurs so the full 34T large sprocket is handled correctly.
Wide-ratio progression
The jump to a 34T largest cog prioritises usable low gears over tight race-style spacing, which many riders prefer for climbing and mixed surfaces.
Shimano HG shift design
Built around Shimano Hyperglide-style shifting for the crisp, familiar feel many riders want from a replacement cassette.
Spacer-supported installation
Includes the fit approach Shimano uses for broader hub compatibility, making it a useful solution for older HG-based wheelsets.
General
Gearing
Compatibility
Features
Service and support
HG-X11 Chain
This directional 11-speed chain technology is designed to give you silky pedalling and more accurate shifting, with each side optimised to help front and rear shifts feel smoother and more precise.
Great for
Maybe not for
This is an 11-speed 11-34T cassette with official compatibility for 10- and 11-speed HG freehubs. Shimano specifies GS cage rear derailleurs. Shimano’s current compatibility information also places it within their 2x11 road and gravel drivetrain compatibility when paired with suitable Shimano components. If you’re reusing an older wheel in Australia, this is one of the key reasons buyers choose it.
vs Shimano CS-R7000 11-speed cassette
The CS-R7000 is the more road-traditional choice if you want tighter steps, but it doesn’t offer this model’s unusual old-wheel friendliness in the same way.
vs SRAM PG-1130 11-speed cassette
SRAM’s PG-1130 is a budget-friendly 11-speed cassette family with broad gearing options, but it is a more general affordable alternative rather than a Shimano-specific fit solution for older HG road wheels.
vs microSHIFT H-Series 11 Speed Cassette 11-34
microSHIFT pitches its H-Series around durability with all-steel construction, making it a sensible value alternative for hard use.
One of the easiest 11-speed upgrade cassettes for older wheels
If you’ve got a Shimano HG wheel that predates modern 11-speed road freehub standards, this is one of the first cassettes we’d look at because it is specifically useful in that situation.
Check your rear derailleur cage before you buy
The important compatibility point is not just the shifter speed. You also want a GS medium-cage rear derailleur that is rated to handle a 34T largest sprocket.
Expect wider jumps than a race cassette
This cassette is built for range, not razor-tight cadence control. That makes it better for climbing, endurance riding and mixed terrain than for riders who only want close road ratios.
Great match for compact road cranksets
Pairing an 11-34T cassette with a compact crank is a very practical way to make steep climbs and long fondos more manageable without overcomplicating the bike.
Shimano is a Japanese component brand founded in 1921 in Sakai, Osaka. The company began with bicycle component manufacturing and has grown into a global business focused on bicycle components, fishing tackle and rowing equipment, while keeping its headquarters in Sakai.
In cycling, Shimano is best known for building complete component ecosystems that span road, mountain, gravel, commuting and e-bike use. Its range covers drivetrains, brakes, wheels, pedals, shoes and related parts, and the brand has had a long presence in Australia through a local business established in Sydney in 1992.
