Tandem Cycling - New Shimmano SLX 10 Spd 11-34 Cassette Install

For all out there that want more gearing with there 10spd tandems this set up works great. I have Ultegra 10spd shifters, FSA Triple cranks with a 26 tooth small ring instead of a 30 tooth along with a Shimmano XT long cage rear derailuer. I removed the 11-28 Ultegra rear cassette and replaced it with one of the newley released Shimmano Dyna SLX 11-34 10spd mountain bike cassettes and it works and shifts great ( I also have run a Sram XX10 11-32 with no problems) I now have realy good hill climbing gearing on our Co-Motion tandem. This set up works as well as the same set up in 9spd that we had on our last Co-Motion tandem.

Just thought I would pass this information on:thumb:

Best Regards to all,
Bill G

Thanks for the info on the setup's performance. I'm considering getting one of the new MTB 10-speed cassettes for when we go on extended mountainous tours (our current 26-28 is only just enough on some long climbs). The 11-tooth cog seems unnecessary when you have a 52+ tooth big ring, so I'd like to forgo the smallest cog and get closer spacing in the rest of the cassette instead. If may therefore look for a 12-32 or 13-32 10-speed cassette, but I'll likely end up having to make a custom combination of a road and MTB cassette to achieve this combination.

It's nice there are more options now, even up to a 36 tooth cog. In our experience, however, we've found it to be a better overall solution to go to a smaller inner chainring.

With a 26 inner, and a 28 cog, you get a seriously low gear. If you needed lower, 24 is available.

Staying with a more standard sized rear cog and a smaller inner chainring, gives you a better spacing, is a bit lighter, and shifts a bit better.

Of course what gearing is going to be appropriate for any tema depends on their terrain, intended use, and fitness.

That said, just throwing out another option to get low gearing.

Bill G....what size large and middle chain-rings are you using with the 26T and what front derailleur are you using?
Thanks
Bill J.

Well its about time and the price is right.
We are doing ok with a 28F and 11-28 rear but if I ever need lower I would get one of these.
It says there is going to be an 11-32 but not available yet. I think the 11-32 with a 30F would be a good combo.

Bill G....what size large and middle chain-rings are you using with the 26T and what front derailleur are you using?
Thanks
Bill J.

I run a 52, 39, 26 in front, I run the 10spd Ultegra front deraileur and a Long Cage Shimano LX rear deraileur old style with the adjustable cable barrel built into it ( I just like this set up better ) I have also run the new style XT Long Cage rear deraileur as well with no problems but there seems to be a little more cable angle (sharper) at the cable connection at the deraileur on the new style XT & XTR Units, they seem a little more finicky to adjust & need a inline cable adjuster installed on them due to the lack of the built in barrel adjuster but they work fine. All shifts well up front but I would never go smaller than a 26 tooth here as that would be pushing the limits of the front deraileur to far and not lift the chain to the middle ring properly. I also use a Jump Stop Chain Over throw protector and adjust everything to tight tolerences to make sure there are no chain over throw issues either way up front.

Take Care,
Bill G

We use the 28 chainring and the 11-28 10 spd cassette also. To tell you the truth the nicer spacing is cool, but any closer would be overkill.

I liked our old 30t ring with 11-32 better sometimes, even though it was 9-speed. I can't wait to try the XX 11-32. I will probably keep the 28 ring though, since my left knee has been bothering me lately (trying to keep the cadence high).