Touring - derailleur suggestions for new build

Starting a LHt build for the spring. I am going to use a 11-32 rear and 48/34 crank. 10 speed with down tube friction shifters.

I am looking for front and rear derailleurs that will work well and are chrome (or at least polished). Any suggestions? If the Apex stuff wasn't black, I would go that route.

TIA

Go with an 11-34 mega-range cassette and and MTB crankset 44-32-22.

I'd recommend a Shimano MTB Deore rear derailleur.

This is basically all you need to make a touring bike ready for anything you might find on a tour.

Given that you're using friction for your 10-speed setup, the main thing is to get a derailleur that has sufficient capacity for whatever gears you throw at it. With friction, you don't have to worry about whether the derailleur is compatible with such and such shifting. Any 9-speed top-swing Shimano Deore apart from XTR should work.

Thanks Norman. The gearing that I listed will cover my needs perfectly. Just looking for input on classy looking derailleurs that are available in a polished finish, 10 speed compatible, and mid cage rear. Thanks again.

edit* It looks like Shimano offered the RD 7800 in a long cage so I will go that route. Thanks!

gap between cogs is so much narrower on 10 speeds all stacked in a space not much wider tan an 8 speed.

with friction shifting, finding the gear and having it stay put is a fine motor skill..

you would be better off with less rear gears, plus replacement chains are 1/3 or less of a 10 speed chain..

just get a whole MTB groupset, 44/11 is plenty high a top gear..

Ive toured for years very rarely shifted to my high, a 50/14
14-34 6 speed freewheel on a Phil hub, 50/40/24 crankset.

gap between cogs is so much narrower on 10 speeds all stacked in a space not much wider tan an 8 speed.

with friction shifting, finding the gear and having it stay put is a fine motor skill..

you would be better off with less rear gears, plus replacement chains are 1/3 or less of a 10 speed chain..

just get a whole MTB groupset, 44/11 is plenty high a top gear..

Ive toured for years very rarely shifted to my high, a 50/14
14-34 6 speed freewheel on a Phil hub, 50/40/24 crankset.

+1 A 9spd 11-32 MTB cassette with your crank will give you all the range you need without the added cost of 10spd components (and expensive chains, as stated above). In loaded touring, you may be overdoing it with 10spd stuff. JMHO

thanks guys. I already have the cassette but perhaps picking up a 9 speed would be better. I will definitely consider that option

Does anyone have any comments on 30/42/52T and 11T-30T? Does that seem too unreal? Because, for the fun of it, that's what I chose to build a light touring bike with a Nashbar frame. Can't wait to put it together but I have to wait until after x-mas. I hope to post pics and details later.

Does anyone have any comments on 30/42/52T and 11T-30T? Does that seem too unreal? Because, for the fun of it, that's what I chose to build a light touring bike with a Nashbar frame. Can't wait to put it together but I have to wait until after x-mas. I hope to post pics and details later.

That particular gearing is very similar to what I had on my first touring bike. What gearing you need depends on your fitness level, where you will be riding, and how much gear you will carry. My experience with that gearing is that a low of 30/30 is doable as long as you (1) don't pack too much and (2) you don't ride any ridiculously steep hills. So if you already have those components, I would say go with it (unless you plan to ride ridiculously steep hills on a regular basis).

The other thing I found about that gearing is that I ended up using the big chainring only rarely, and that the maximum extended grade I could climb loaded was about 10%. (not a huge limitation, but every place I go seems to have 13% grades lurking somewhere). So if you haven't already spent the money, I would recommend going with the MTB crankset rather than a road triple.

What I have now is a 24/38/48 with an 11-32 cassette, which is just about right in my opinion.

You can get that gearing in a road crank. Sugino for instance.

I already have the crankset, front derailleur and rear derailleur. So, do you think getting an 11-32T cassette would be better than getting 11-30T? I mean, would it stretch the chain too much? I bought a Shimano Deore LX derailleur and if I remember correctly, I think it's a long cage.

I already have the crankset, front derailleur and rear derailleur. So, do you think getting an 11-32T cassette would be better than getting 11-30T? I mean, would it stretch the chain too much? I bought a Shimano Deore LX derailleur and if I remember correctly, I think it's a long cage.
Either one will work fine.I have the 11-32t cassette and a 26,36,46t on front on my nashbar build it's not done yet I still have to get a set of 700c wheels and a saddle.Post pics when you start to build your bicycle.I will do the same but I want all the parts first then it will be building time.