short or medium cage

chatlow
chatlow Posts: 845
edited July 2013 in Workshop
I have 52/39 up front and I am changing from a 13/26 to 11/28 (possibly 11/30) at the back. Decided on a cheap Sora 3500 RD for now... but should I get the small or medium cage?

From the Ribble website:
- SS: 37 tooth total capacity, rear sprocket size range 11-32T
- GS: 41 tooth total capacity, rear sprocket size range 11-32T

Comments

  • dgstewart
    dgstewart Posts: 252
    Not sure about Sora, but I've run an 11/28 with 105, Dura-Ace, Rival and Red, all using normal short cage mechs. Granted the clearances can be a little bit close but I've never actually had any problems with any of them.

    Not sure you'll get away with the 30 tooth, although if they claim it works then maybe it does. I tried an 11/32 cassette on my red short cage mech (53/39 front) and it wouldn't go. Unless you're really against the look of the medium cage, is there any other reason not to get it?
  • chatlow
    chatlow Posts: 845
    it's 2 quid more ;)

    Na, the only reason I'm hesitant is because I thought the medium cage might be slightly noisier but I'm probably wrong.

    To work out max capacity is it teeth up front (52-39) + teeth at the back (28-11) so 13+17= 30??

    thanks
  • chatlow
    chatlow Posts: 845
    decided to get the medium cage. is there a noticeable difference between 11-28 and 11-30?

    thanks
  • dgstewart
    dgstewart Posts: 252
    Yep, 2 teeth :wink: ! Sorry, couldn't resist :) .

    It would be noticeable, but nothing major. It's a 7.1% change from 28 to 30, whereas from 23 to 25 is about 8.7%, so basically not quite as significant as going from 23 to 25.

    Bear in mind that with 9-speed there will be some larger gaps between cogs. That doesn't bother me with a 10-speed 11/28, but I have noticed it a bit more on an 11/32, and I know it bothers some people a lot more. Do you need an 11-tooth? You could consider a 12-28 or 12-30 or similar.
  • chatlow
    chatlow Posts: 845
    ha, I fully expected a reply like that after asking a dopey question. I am going to try out the 11-28. When I ordered it the guy wasnt sure that the 9 speed RD would work well with an 8 speed cassette and chain but others on here think it will.

    cheers

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