Derailleur issues - replacement/swap short to long?
05-27-15, 09:40 AM
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Derailleur issues - replacement/swap short to long?
Hello all,
I had an issue with a rear derailleur on a recent bike purchase and had to get it replaced. The dealer sent me a new derailleur (it was supposed to be the same one) but they sent me a long cage instead - Shimano 105 5800 GS. The original one was a SS (short cage). Would there be any issues running this long cage with a 11-28 cassette and a compact 50/34T? Most people seem to say that it's better than just running a short and it would give me some space to grow if I needed to expand my cassette to a 32 - pending on the terrain where I ride. Plus I find more people talking about going long to short than short to long so any help is appreciated.
Your thoughts? If I'm getting the better deal with the long cage than the short I'll keep it, but if not, I'd rather have the dealer send me the original type that came with the bike.
Thanks.
I had an issue with a rear derailleur on a recent bike purchase and had to get it replaced. The dealer sent me a new derailleur (it was supposed to be the same one) but they sent me a long cage instead - Shimano 105 5800 GS. The original one was a SS (short cage). Would there be any issues running this long cage with a 11-28 cassette and a compact 50/34T? Most people seem to say that it's better than just running a short and it would give me some space to grow if I needed to expand my cassette to a 32 - pending on the terrain where I ride. Plus I find more people talking about going long to short than short to long so any help is appreciated.
Your thoughts? If I'm getting the better deal with the long cage than the short I'll keep it, but if not, I'd rather have the dealer send me the original type that came with the bike.
Thanks.
05-27-15, 09:48 AM
#2
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I haven't had any issues going short to long on several bikes. I can't say it performed better, but was the same. If it gives you future flexibility you didn't have, I'd keep it.
05-27-15, 10:05 AM
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You don't need the chain wrap capability so there's no functional benefit to the long cage derailleur. On the other hand, there's no real drawback either.
Aesthetically however, I agree with you. I think the short cage derailleur just looks better. That's what you asked for so that's what I think they should give you. It's not your job to make life easier for the dealer. They earn their money by making you happy.
Aesthetically however, I agree with you. I think the short cage derailleur just looks better. That's what you asked for so that's what I think they should give you. It's not your job to make life easier for the dealer. They earn their money by making you happy.
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05-27-15, 10:24 AM
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I recently had an issue with a long cage RD that the chain would rattle on the pulleys on the big CR and biggest 3 cogs. I replaced it with a short-cage and no more problem.
05-27-15, 01:14 PM
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Depending on how long your chain is (was it sized for the short cage derailleur?), a longer chain may be required.
05-27-15, 01:29 PM
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05-27-15, 02:28 PM
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As Bill notes, technically it makes no difference for the chain length, the only advantage to running a GS RD is you can swap to a 11-32 cassette without changing the RD.
05-27-15, 05:07 PM
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The longer cage helps deal with the extra chain when riding granny gears but does not require any extra chain itself...
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05-28-15, 01:01 AM
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You don't need the chain wrap capability so there's no functional benefit to the long cage derailleur. On the other hand, there's no real drawback either.
Aesthetically however, I agree with you. I think the short cage derailleur just looks better. That's what you asked for so that's what I think they should give you. It's not your job to make life easier for the dealer. They earn their money by making you happy.
Aesthetically however, I agree with you. I think the short cage derailleur just looks better. That's what you asked for so that's what I think they should give you. It's not your job to make life easier for the dealer. They earn their money by making you happy.
05-28-15, 01:10 AM
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Seeing as he is using friction mode rather than detent shifting they should have the range of motion if the high/low stopper screws are adequately adjusted. I have gone from a five cassette to a seven cassette without problems on some Frankenstein bikes.
05-28-15, 07:06 AM
#11
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The long cage will give you more chain wrap capacity, allowing you to run a wider range of gears. But if you're not going to do that, and you don't like the look of the longer cage, make the dealer send you the right part. Functionally the long cage will work just fine.
This has nothing to do with short cage vs long cage. It's an issue of not having the b-tension screw tight enough on your long cage RD or trying to run a cassette that exceeded the largest cog spec of the RD.
False. Cage length has no influence on chain length. Chain length is set by the big/big combination.
False. Cage length has no influence on chain length. Chain length is set by the big/big combination.
