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Long, Mid Cage?
What are the difference's in the cage lenghts of rear derailleurs? I belive my stock is a long cage. What are the pros/cons of long, mid ect?
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Rule of thumb: 3 chainrings require a long cage, 2 chainrings medium cage, 1 chainring short cage.
Benefits of using the shortest possible cage (and the appurtenant shorter chain) include less weight, less chain slap, and a lesser chance of snagging on stuff. |
You might get more responses if this were posted this in Bike Mechanics.
I think what Gastro said is correct, and i also believe that it is dependant on the size of your cassette, ie. i'm upgrading mine to a 12-34 and i need a long cage. |
Voila!
http://www.beyondbikes.com/bb/tech/?section=rdr On a mountain bike, your choice is slightly more difficult. Less experienced riders, or riders who ride frequently in steep terrain should probably stick to a long cage rear derailleur. This, combined with proper chain length, will allow the bike to be safely shifted into every gear on the bike. Racers might appreciate the lighter weight and slight shifting improvement a short cage rear derailleur offers. However, these benefits come with a tradeoff - because of the decreased capacity a short or medium cage rear derailleur offers, it may not be possible to safely use the small chainring in tandem with the smallest cogs. (The derailleur simply can't take up enough slack in the chain) Meaning if you typically have shifting issues, don't go to a medium cage cause its only going be exaggerated! |
Originally Posted by skingry
(Post 6374207)
However, these benefits come with a tradeoff - because of the decreased capacity a short or medium cage rear derailleur offers, it may not be possible to safely use the small chainring in tandem with the smallest cogs.
Being able to cross-chain is not an advantage of longer cages. |
thanks guys
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Originally Posted by xfimpg
(Post 6373042)
i also believe that it is dependant on the size of your cassette, ie. i'm upgrading mine to a 12-34 and i need a long cage.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...rail/13sxt.jpg |
i have been using a med cage with a full range of gears -- 27 speed
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Originally Posted by mcoine
(Post 6374490)
Being able to cross-chain is not an advantage of longer cages.
Some of us that ride a bit more have the gear inches burned into our brains for each ring/cog and know how they overlap (so we know when and how to shift, to keep momentum and efficiency at their peak), but for someone just getting on a bike, they don't have that kind of knowledge. The short/mid/long discussion has more to do with capacity of each of the front rings than it does with overall range. Just because there is a theoretical 27 speeds doesn't mean that all combinations are possible (or even efficient). |
Curious... how can you tell if your derailleur is a short, medium or long cage?
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Originally Posted by xfimpg
(Post 6376442)
Curious... how can you tell if your derailleur is a short, medium or long cage?
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I use a road derauller on my bike, works very well!
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Originally Posted by mcoine
(Post 6374490)
Being able to cross-chain is not an advantage of longer cages.
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