Originally Posted by
joejack951
As far as I know, all Shimano MTB RDs are spec'd to a 34T max cog (but will like handle 36 as you say). There's no need to use the more expensive Shadow versions unless being low profile is a high priority.
It's only about $10 more. And I know I'm always hitting my (non-Shadow) derailers on stuff, knocking them out of alignment. I bought a DAG-2 to straighten hangers, but if one pays a shop for that sort of thing, the difference for the Shadow seems well worth it.
I've been really impressed with the Shadow. I have it on one of my bikes, and SRAM X-7 on another. The Shadow doesn't have a scratch while the SRAM looks like it's been mauled.