Long medium or short cage?

glen4

After writing off my (std) long cage X0 rear derralliuer last evening, I need to replace it, question is, can I get away with a short or medium cage? I don't run a granny ring, so front chainwheels are:- 44 and 32, rear cassette is 11-34. Would like to run a shorter cage to prevent as repeat of last nights (expensive) escapade. :?:

P-Jay

You'd probably get away with a medium cage.

I run a short cage on my DH bike and you really need a single speed front and a road cassett or one of the new Shimano Saint / SLX small cassets or you're asking for trouble.

.blitz

Go for the short cage - the long cage is only there to take up the slack in 22:11. And to get smashed off on rocks, caught up in undergrowth etc.

supersonic

Work out your capacity and compare to the capacity of the mech.

Your capacity needed is:

(44-32)+(34-11) = 35

A short cage is liable to not cover the full range of gears.

markwatton

Short cage works fine for me on 3x9, 22, 32, 44 and 11-32 on an Orange 5

supersonic

It does if you don't hit the extreme gear combos - but you are much more likely to do this on a twin chainring set up.

Your mech will not handle the 22/11 and then the 44/32 without chain slack or the mech self destructing.

glen4

thanks for your replies, guys, sounds like a medium cage to be on the safe side

nicklouse

have a look in the FAQ's and you will see what you should use.

use a medium and you will not be able to use some gears.