Originally Posted by
sculbertson
I picked up a used touring bike and am swapping out some components. I'll be using Shimano 8 speed bar end shifters and am looking for suggestions for a "good value" long cage rear derailleur and 8 speed cassette (in the 11-32/34 range). I'm keeping the 48/38/28 crankset but would also be open to suggestions for a new FD. Thoughts?
The Simano 4503 FD is a great derailleur, but it does not work well with less than 11 tooth difference between chainrings. The back of the cage rubs on the next smaller chainring, e.g., When on the large chainring the back plate of the cage rubs on the center chainring. I just learned this the hard way a couple of weeks ago when I tried to use a 4503 with a 46/36/26 crankset. It can be raised enough to make it work but it puts the cage fairly high above the chainring, and not optimum shifting.
http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/te...9830606982.pdf
I run both 8 speeds and 9 speeds, and really can't tell much difference, especially if you build up your own cassette and start with a lower high gear like a 13T. I combined parts from 2, 8-speed cassettes, and came up with a nice range of gears.