Road and mixed-surface riders on an 11-speed Shimano drivetrain who want an easier low gear than a standard 11-28T.
This is the Ultegra CS-R8000 in its 11-32T version: eleven steel sprockets running 11-12-13-14-16-18-20-22-25-28-32T. It uses Shimano's HG-EV design, which fits eleven gears while keeping the durability of the 10-speed era and the smooth HYPERGLIDE shift feel.
The 32T sprocket is what sets it apart from the more common 11-25T and 11-28T versions. It gives you a much easier bottom gear for hills, touring loads and mixed-surface riding, and you still get single-tooth steps from 11T to 14T for tidy shifts at speed. It runs on HG 11-speed chains and fits Shimano road HG freehub bodies.
32T climbing gear
Almost three times the size of the 11T sprocket, for long or steep climbs.
Tight steps where you need them
Single-tooth jumps from 11T to 14T keep your cadence steady at speed.
HG-EV design
Shimano's rider-tuned 11-speed cassette design, with shifting that builds on HYPERGLIDE.
Steel sprockets, 292 g
All 11 sprockets are steel, on a carbon and aluminium spider with an aluminium lock ring. Shimano lists an average weight of 292 g.
Cassette
Fit and build
HG-EV
Shimano's cassette design for rider-tuned gearing and cadence management. It gives you eleven gears while keeping the durability of the 10-speed era and the improved HYPERGLIDE shifting.
Great for
Maybe not for
This is the 11-32T. Shimano rates its short-cage (SS) Ultegra R8000 rear derailleur for a largest sprocket of 30T or less, so a 32T cassette needs a medium-cage (GS) derailleur, rated for 28T to 34T. It is an 11-speed road cassette: use an HG 11-speed chain and a road HG freehub body (spline L).
Check the derailleur first
A bigger low gear only works if the rear derailleur can take up the extra chain. Pair a 32T cassette with a medium-cage (GS) derailleur and have the chain length checked when you fit it. The lock ring is marked 40 N·m, so use a torque wrench when you tighten it.
