Cage Sizes

Mystique
Mystique Posts: 342
edited June 2008 in Workshop
HI All,

Is there a general rule for whether you should use a short-, medium- or long-cage rear derailleur??

Presumably it's to do with the range of the rear cassette - does the size of chainset also have an influence??

Cheers,

Graham.

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    the cage has a range of teeth change it can cover (by absorbing the slack chain).

    a rule of thumb in the MTB world is 3 rings on the front long cage, 2 rings medium.1 ring short.

    it is possible to change that but some gears will be impossible to use or you can have a slack chain....

    to sum up the whole drive train has an influence.

    here is an chart for MTB ratios etc....

    what_means_the_capacity.MainContent.0002.Image.gif

    dont know of the road one. :wink:
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • blorg
    blorg Posts: 1,169
    It works just the same for road AFAIK, the derailleurs have a rated teeth capacity and the chainrings are just as important as the cassette. I have read that with most Shimano derailleurs the rated capacity is on the conservative side and you can generally push it a few teeth beyond that.

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