Which Cassette?

I need a new cassette for my hardtail bike. I will probably use it mostly for commuting and training on the gravel roads.

SO, do I get:
11-32, 11-34, or 12-34?

how steep are the roads? I would think for gravel roads you probably don't need as big of gears, so I think I'd go with an 11-32?

I have a 11-34 cassette on my bike that I ride on gravel roads and I use every bit of it. The route I ride is 30 miles @ 3000 ft climbing. If you have hills, it comes in handy.

I don't know for mountain gearing, but I do know on my roadies, if I don't have a 16-tooth cog, I miss it, no matter what I have in front. It's just too big of a jump between 15 and 17. So you might look at what those cogs have for their in-between gears and consider what you need there, too. It's worth it to me to sacrifice the 11 on top, to get that 16, if that's the configuration that's available.

I just thought about something, I will also be using this bike to tow the kids around. And although its not hilly by us, when I'm towing 2 kids, a small hill can seem like a mountain. I definitely need the 34.

The only 9-speed cassette at the LBS was the 11-32. So that's what I got. Then, just now, Steep And Cheap had 9-speed cassette's going for $15. So I bought 2. The only size they had was 12-26--not ideal for everyday but PERFECT for Iceman this fall! I'm going to feel like a real pro, changing out my casette and all for a race.

Limewave -check your personal messages, I sent you a pm asking if you were doing Barry Roubaix this weekend. Would love to meet you in person!! :D:D