Tandem Cycling - Rear Derailleur

I have a Burley Bossa Nova and want to put on a new rear derailleur. The chainrings are 28, 44, 54 and the rear cassette is an 8 speed SRAM 11-28. I am using barcons in friction mode so brand is not important. Any suggestions?

If you're in friction mode, the easy answer is that it doesn't matter. However, many good quality tandems come with a Shimano XT rear der. It's pretty tough and can take a beating. I've got a new spare that I picked up on sale. Who knows if I'll ever need it?

If you're in friction mode, the easy answer is that it doesn't matter. However, many good quality tandems come with a Shimano XT rear der. It's pretty tough and can take a beating. I've got a new spare that I picked up on sale. Who knows if I'll ever need it?

Agree about the XT derailler but I ride off road. Before an annual gruelling ride- I used to strip the T to the frame and rebuild and replace as required. I always used to replace the Rear XT derailler as some wear was in it- but one year I managed to get a deal on an XTR. Following Year and for the rebuild got the new brake pads- chains and rear derailler as usual. Didn't need the Rear mech. The XTR mech was as new. Well not really as it was scratched about a lot but although I would never pay for XTR at the normal price- That XTR rear mech did last 3 years before it needed replacing.

And with that range of gears you have- I think you would need a long reach rear derailler. The XT, or if you can get it cheap, An XTR Would be adequate quality to last a respectable length of time for normal use.

I kind of weighed pros and cons of the XT vs. XTR and decided that although the XTR is "light" for MTB use, it would probably fine for road use. I'm really happy with it. I'm getting as good a shifting on the tandem as on my singles. MTBing puts a lot of dirt and grit into moving parts that is really hard on them. Road much less so, so I'm expecting even longer life than stapfam got on his MTB.

I kind of weighed pros and cons of the XT vs. XTR and decided that although the XTR is "light" for MTB use, it would probably fine for road use. I'm really happy with it. I'm getting as good a shifting on the tandem as on my singles. MTBing puts a lot of dirt and grit into moving parts that is really hard on them. Road much less so, so I'm expecting even longer life than stapfam got on his MTB.

You mentioned the other thing that I have to agree with and that is the smoother change. XTR is expensive and I would not normally buy it but There are a few deals around occasionally. In the XT- versus XTR argument- I would say that the extra cost is worth it. Just watch out for the reverse action deraillers that are around. They work with MTB shifters but not certain if they would work with brifters.

All Shimano derailleurs shift great - but the difference in price is there because the more expensive ones use higher grade materials and last longer. I agree the XTR will always outlast an XT same with Dura Ace vs. Ultegra. The thing is - you really don't notice how poorly a derailleur is working until you replace it.