I'm personally with you. I prefer small steps near the pie plate for smooth technical climbs. I prefer the durability/longevity of SRAM XO1 cassettes, but would be thrilled with Shimano's gearing steps.
But realize 90% of the market will never do a technical climb and just wants a bailout gear to get up the hill when they're suffering on the way to a flow trail. I think SRAM will get hammered in comments, but will sell a ton of them and make most riders happy.
June 11, 2020, 10:30 a.m. - JVP
I'm personally with you. I prefer small steps near the pie plate for smooth technical climbs. I prefer the durability/longevity of SRAM XO1 cassettes, but would be thrilled with Shimano's gearing steps. But realize 90% of the market will never do a technical climb and just wants a bailout gear to get up the hill when they're suffering on the way to a flow trail. I think SRAM will get hammered in comments, but will sell a ton of them and make most riders happy.