I did some work on a friend's bike today with the mega and a Deore XT RD and encountered pretty much the same issues. Seemed a bit of a struggle to get it on the 34 from the middle front ring but worked pretty good from the granny. It was just in the stand so not sure how it will be on the road when the snow goes. He has brifters so I'm hoping my V'ger with bar ends will make it a little easier to force the chain up on the big cog.