Many years ago, in prep for riding across Utah, I changed out my rear cassette and derailleur on my road bike to Shimano XTR which gave me a 11-34 (I ride a triple). Basically I have mountain bike gearing for climbing which suits me well. I'm old and need all the spin I can get on long, hard climbs.

The plan was to return the 11/27 but I just never got around to it...

I have now having a bike built and decided to add 10 speed (old bike was 9 speed) and am again putting a mtb cassette and derailleur on the rear. I choose Sram's new XX cassette - a work of art but it's only 32, not 34 tooth, Using a regular Shimano MTB derailleur. It's a beautiful road bike (custom built by John Slawta/Landshark) but is personalized with the MTB rear. I like climbing mountains but I need all the help I can get!