Originally Posted by 'nother
Actually I think you are saying the same thing but I think you're arguing from the opposite way. I mentioned you specifically because you have indeed repeated it so many times, and it finally sunk in, through all of the layers of smoke.
Let's review. I said:
Now, I'll grant that you can pick on the first part of this as being inaccurate, since there are indeed short-cage derailers that will handle 32+, but to evaluate the entire statement on the basis of that phrase alone is to take it out of context improperly. The bit I've emboldened above is the important part, and I don't think that's in any way contradictory to what you've said, or to reality.
However, relative to Sheldon's article, what I'm referring to is the part that says: Long-cage derailers have greater takeup capacity, and work with all types of cassettes.
Which to me is a bit misleading, based on my understanding and first-hand experience, which is: simply being "long-cage" does not mean a RD will handle any cassette (e.g. any cog size, which is what I assume Sheldon means when he says "all types of cassettes").
I do not think my understanding is flawed as you proclaim, but please feel free to correct as necessary.
You are right.... That statement as it stands is misleading....I didn't check what context it was in. Maybe it assumes road RD for road cassettes and mtb RD for big cog mtb cassettes... I don't tend to mix applications even there is latitude in doing so with Shaimno road RD due to the conservative spec, and others do it on a regular basis. I got enough stuff in the parts boxes that if I need to use a big cog,there is plenty of stuff availabe to handle the job. Also, it's been stated that a mtb RD(long or short) isn't necessarily a good chooice for a close ratio road cassette with say a 23 or smaller big cog since the mtb RD tracks a steeper angle as it traverses the cassette the upper pulley will be at a great distance from the bigger cogs at the end of it's travel and provides less chain wrap around the cog.Having not tried it I duno how real that issue may be.