Was Upgrading My Cassette From 11-32 to 11-34 Worth It? Trek Domane AL3

I bought my 2022 Trek Domane AL 3 in April of 2022. In all the time since it had remained stock other than new bar tape and a seat post which replaced a defective one. So, basically, it had been unmodified. I recently installed a Selle San Marco Aspide carbon fiber saddle I bought a few years ago. Following up on that I bought a wider ratio 11-34 tooth Shimano CS HG400 cassette. It was an easy upgrade, which gave me a 1 to 1 low gear ratio for climbing. On my first ride with it, I did notice a difference. It's not a game changer, but I could feel it on steep climbs. At 380 grams, it weighs 63 grams more than the stock Sora HG400 11-32 tooth unit. I'm good with that. Next up, some tubes and tires I bought, listed below.

Costs

Initial purchase: $1,414.00 USD plus taxes
Selle San Marco Aspide carbon fiber saddle: $0.00, already owned
Shimano CS-HG400-9, 9-Speed, 11-34 $25.56
2-Pack CyclAmi TPU Tubes $32.99
Vittoria Zaffiro Rigid Road Bike Tires, 2 @ $24.99

Total $1,528.49

Stock Specifications

Frameset

Frame 100 Series Alpha Aluminum, tapered head tube, internal routing, fender mounts, DuoTrap S compatible, flat mount disc, 142x12mm thru axle

Fork Domane AL carbon, tapered alloy steerer, internal brake routing, fender mounts, flat mount disc, 12x100mm thru axle

Frame fit Endurance

Wheels

Hub front Formula RX-512 alloy, 6-bolt, 100x12mm thru axle
Skewer front Bontrager Switch thru axle, removable lever
Hub rear Formula RX-142 alloy, 6-bolt, Shimano 11-speed freehub, 142x12mm thru axle
Skewer rear Bontrager Switch thru axle, removable lever
Rims Bontrager Affinity Disc, Tubeless Ready, 24-hole, 21mm width, presta valve
Bontrager Paradigm SL, Tubeless Ready, 24-hole, 21mm width, presta valve
Spokes 14g stainless steel
Tire Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite, wire bead, 60 tpi, 700x32c
Max tire size 35c without fenders, 32c with fenders

Drivetrain

Shifter Shimano Sora R3000, 9 speed

Front derailleur Shimano Sora R3000, 31.8mm clamp
Rear derailleur Shimano Sora R3000, mid cage, 34T max cog
Cranks Shimano Sora R3000, 50/34 (compact), 170mm length
Bottom bracket Shimano RS500, 68mm, threaded external
Cassette Shimano Sora HG400, 11-32, 9 speed
Chain Shimano Sora HG53, 9 speed

Components

Saddle Bontrager P3 Verse Comp, steel rails, 145mm width
Seatpost Bontrager Comp, 6061 alloy, 27.2mm, 8mm offset, 330mm length
Handlebar Bontrager Comp VR-C, alloy, 31.8mm, 100mm reach, 124mm drop, 42cm width
Handlebar tape Bontrager Supertack Perforated tape
Stem Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 90mm length
Headset FSA Integrated, sealed cartridge bearing, 1-1/8'' top, 1.5'' bottom
Brake Tektro C550 mechanical disc brake, dual piston, flat mount, 160mm rotor
Weight 56 - 10.30 kg / 22.71 lbs