Originally Posted by
sapeacock
Thanks for the replies. I'm gonna play it safe and get the 105 rear derailleur - RD-5701-GS - long cage for the larger cog and change to a 12-32 cassette for the small to small chain combo slack.
This will be the route i take, unless i hear otherwise.
Thanks Much!!! - Steven
There is a good link to help. If you are using a Shimano 105 5700 this page
http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/te...9830702204.PDF
gives the specs.
You can find other derailleur specs for Shimano at the techdocs.shimano.com by just searching RD5600 or RD6700 etc.
FYI this doc says both the SS and the GS will only handle 11-28 cassette. The GS will handle a wider range on the front.
As a newbie, I can't say if you can go with a 12-32 even with the GS.
Another link that might help with compatibility is
Celebrazio: Bicycling - Shimano Road Bike Parts Compatibility
It has all the cross compatible choices and shows which cassettes (Shimano only) can be used with which derailleurs.