Changing 34t ring on casette with 36t or 38t?

[matw]

Hi friends
I've bought a used great mtb with a 1x9 XT drivetrain. I love the bike and the setup but there are a few places on my regular loop where I could use a bit of a lower gear. I have a Shimano XT 11-34 and a 32t in the front. I dont wanna change the front ring cause I dont wanna loose my high gear for going down.

So my question is: Is it possible to change the 34t sprocket on my cassette with a 36t or even a 38t?

Thanks in advance!
Mat

[rangeriderdave]

There might be a replacement ,but derailuers can only take so many teeth . You can look what yours will take on the simano web site. If you went to 10 speed you couls go to a 36.

[eatdrinkride]

11-36 9-speed cassette: You can do it!!!!!

[smilinsteve]

The Shimano HG-61 is a 9 speed cassette than comes in a 12-36 version, but its a lower end (heavier) cassette.

And then there's this:

38 Tooth Cog for Mountain Bike Cassette 38t Sprocket | eBay

[AndrwSwitch]

With enough tinkering, all things are possible. Two more teeth on your largest cog won't help all that much. How big is your chainring? You may be able to get a bigger change that way.

[matw]

Front chainring is 32T but I dont really wanna go down in size because Im afraid of loosing my high gear. I wanna go 10 speed but my drivetrain is good so I see no point in changing that now. I will do some derailluer research and change to a 36 or 38 on top. Thanks for the replys!

[AndrwSwitch]

Do you really use 32/11? I can spin it out on the road... but it's mountain biking.

You could always go to a double or triple. There's a reason multi-chainring setups have been dominant for so long.

[kazlx]

I would just purchase the cassette above. The HG cassette is really your only option for a 36 gear up top on a 9 speed setup. I run 32 front and 11/34 rear on my trail bike and spin out the 11 quite a bit. When you ride more, you will find it will be easier to climb, even in with the 34 rear.

If you go 10 speed eventually, I would suggest going to an 11/36 cassette with a 34 front ring. Your low gear will feel similar to what you have currently, but you will pick up some top end.