Converting cage length on shimano rear mech

lawman
lawman Posts: 6,868
edited September 2012 in MTB workshop & tech
Have seen this kind of mod done, just wondering how you would go about it, have found some m810 saint cages, would these fit say an xtr or xt 10spd shadow mech?

Comments

  • Chunkers1980
    Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    Why? Seems a bit pointless, just use a mech that is correct from the start.
  • bails87
    bails87 Posts: 12,998
    Perhaps he's already got a mech and wants to change the cage length, and it;'s cheaper to get the cage than a whole new mech?

    Seeing as he's a student his time is essentially worthless* so a few hours of faffing beats a spending a few quid extra :wink:





    *only kidding!
    MTB/CX

    "As I said last time, it won't happen again."
  • lawman
    lawman Posts: 6,868
    bails87 wrote:
    Perhaps he's already got a mech and wants to change the cage length, and it;'s cheaper to get the cage than a whole new mech?

    Seeing as he's a student his time is essentially worthless* so a few hours of faffing beats a spending a few quid extra :wink:

    Exactly this!! Cheaper to mod my xt and see if the cage will work with my 36t cassette than splash money on a new saint mech only to find it doesn't work!





    *only kidding!
  • oodboo
    oodboo Posts: 2,171
    I think you can only remove the cages to change them on the XTR mech. Could be wrong though.
    I love horses, best of all the animals. I love horses, they're my friends.

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  • Chunkers1980
    Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    Well he talks rubbish or really does not know what he wants. Clutch mechs on Sunday now this...
    by lawman » Tue Sep 25, 2012 2:09 pm
    A mates got one on his rocky mountain and the difference is night and day, its mega quiet now having a sounded like a bag of spanners previously, Will definitely get one for both bikes as I run 1x10 but particularly for the 456 which only has a top guide.
  • lawman
    lawman Posts: 6,868
    Chunkers1980 wrote:
    Well he talks rubbish or really does not know what he wants. Clutch mechs on Sunday now this...
    by lawman » Tue Sep 25, 2012 2:09 pm
    A mates got one on his rocky mountain and the difference is night and day, its mega quiet now having a sounded like a bag of spanners previously, Will definitely get one for both bikes as I run 1x10 but particularly for the 456 which only has a top guide.

    Yes a short cage one if possible, hence my reasoning to see if the short cage would clear the biggest cog on the cassette without issues. I see no point in splashing out on a mech if it doesn't work. With the mod it'll cost me £25 tops, a new short cage mech is more than that, just to see if it works. If it does great, I'll have a cheapish spare mech if I smash one to bits.

    Jeez I have enough on my fucking plate as it is right now without fucking cunts like you getting stressy over a fucking question. prick.
  • Chunkers1980
    Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    What has cage length got to do with clearing the big cog on the cassette?
  • EH_Rob
    EH_Rob Posts: 1,134
    I can't help you with your question, but if you've got loads on your plate maybe get the right mech and worry about something more important? I thought why was (and still is) a valid question.
  • lawman
    lawman Posts: 6,868
    EH_Rob wrote:
    I can't help you with your question, but if you've got loads on your plate maybe get the right mech and worry about something more important? I thought why was (and still is) a valid question.

    Anything bike related takes my mind off things atm, bit of an escape from current circumstances. I'm not really that in tune with how you work out range, but when shimano say 34t max on the saint I'd like to see if a similar type mech would work first, since I have an XT mech already, seeing if the shorter cage works, if it does great and I can get a new shadow plus mech, if not, no worries, medium is what I'm gonna have to use and I'm only £25 worse off. Makes sense to me.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    lawman wrote:
    EH_Rob wrote:
    I can't help you with your question, but if you've got loads on your plate maybe get the right mech and worry about something more important? I thought why was (and still is) a valid question.

    Anything bike related takes my mind off things atm, bit of an escape from current circumstances. I'm not really that in tune with how you work out range, but when shimano say 34t max on the saint I'd like to see if a similar type mech would work first, since I have an XT mech already, seeing if the shorter cage works, if it does great and I can get a new shadow plus mech, if not, no worries, medium is what I'm gonna have to use and I'm only £25 worse off. Makes sense to me.
    that is mech design not cage length, changing the cage will not do a thing other than change the number of teeth the mech will cover. that is covered in the FAQs.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
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  • RevellRider
    RevellRider Posts: 1,794
    Simple answer is no. There are several parts that are interchangeable between Saint and XTR, but inner and outer cage are not on this list
    Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Epsilon.
  • allthegearnoidea
    allthegearnoidea Posts: 4,077
    have a look on the shimano tech docs and compare them, if as above then its a simple no, but never harms nosing the tech docs!!
    Timmo.
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  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    allthegearnoidea wrote:
    have a look on the shimano tech docs and compare them, if as above then its a simple no, but never harms nosing the tech docs!!
    but it will not do what he want it to do even if it was possible.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • RevellRider
    RevellRider Posts: 1,794
    As far as I can make out, Lawman wants to know if he converts his XT Shadow Plus mech to short cage will it clear a 36t cassette? It should do, as cage length doesn't affect the parallelogram action on the mech.

    Looking at Shimano Tech Docs though, the Zee mech shares an awful lot with the SLX and XT Shadow Plus mechs. If you look at it you'll see that the only thing that is different to an SLX mech, apart from the cages is the Switch Lever and Fixing Unit. It might work, it might need a little modifying or you could just buy a Zee mech as that will work with a 36t cassette
    Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Epsilon.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    RevellRider wrote:
    Simple answer is no. There are several parts that are interchangeable between Saint and XTR, but inner and outer cage are not on this list
    Is that based on known fact or part numbers? Parts may be phyiscally interchangeable yet different materials (steel/ally/carbon) and have a different PN.

    Yes Shimano Tech docs are great for understanding what is impossible, less so for determining what will work!
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • mister p
    mister p Posts: 405
    RevellRider is correct. The fitment of XTR cages is totally different to Saint. on Saint the P-axle goes through the body of the mech into the cage. On XTR the bolt comes through the cage and locates into the body. It is pretty plain to see on the tech docs.

    If you want a 10 speed short cage mech just buy a Zee.

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