Originally Posted by shabbasuraj
So the answer to my original post is, what I am witnessing is normal?
Off hand, what other gear combinations should I avoid? I know I should avoid the really extreme 'chain bending' combo's anything else?
Given the components you listed, you are dealing with 45 teeth of required wrap.That is 2 teeth outside of the 43 tooth spec. Shimano spec is usually conservative.The derailer really should handle it,but your chain may also be too long.Put chain on big big and see if there is enough enough extra chain to remove 1". If not then there is nothing to do but sstay out of the smalller cogs when in the granny as I already said.