It's generally best to go for as short a derailleur cage as you can get away with, as long as you can avoid the chain contorting on the extremes of the cassette, such as using the largest on both sprocket and chainring. Smaller cages tend to have snappier gear changes, they're lighter, and also less exposed to damage.
What is the difference between long cage and medium cage derailleur?
If you are in-between the capacity ranges of the two, which is often the case with mountain bikes, then note the following: long cage derailleurs will accommodate a wider gear range and deliver a better chain line, while medium cage derailleurs are less likely to be hit by rocks on the trail.
How do I know what derailleur I need?
If you are replacing an existing derailleur on a bike, simply count the number of cogs on your cassette and you're good to go. If your drivetrain's speed is an unknown quantity, you can count the number of steps that your shifter runs through and add 'one' to determine the number of gears your drivetrain has.
Can I use a short cage derailleur?
It's generally best to go for as short a derailleur cage as you can get away with, as long as you can avoid the chain contorting on the extremes of the cassette, such as using the largest on both sprocket and chainring. Smaller cages tend to have snappier gear changes, they're lighter, and also less exposed to damage.
Do all derailleurs fit all bikes?
A derailleur for your mountain bike should match the specifications on the original derailleur. That is, while it doesn't need to be the same model of derailleur, it does need to be the same brand, in almost every case. It also needs to match the number of gears, or have more intended.
35 related questions foundCan I use a MTB derailleur on a road bike?
For example, if the bike has a 10-speed cassette and road shifters, it will be compatible with an MTB derailleur that has the rear shift ratio of a 10-speed road derailleur.
What is a short cage derailleur?
The cage is those 2 idler wheels on the rear derailleur. In a short derailleur, the idler wheels are closer to together while a long derailleur they are further apart. Short derailleurs shift quicker than a long derailleur so it is not preferable to have a long derailleur on a regular double.
Can I change derailleur cage length?
Its not just the tooth capacity, the maximum sprocket size the derailleur is rated for can also change with the cage size in the same product line (i.e. they're not just changing the cage), with the maximum sprocket size going up with cage length.
What does Shimano GS mean?
“-GS” refers to medium-cage rear derailleurs, built with a maximum chain capacity of 37T to 39T or less. This is usually the longest cage offered for road bike rear derailleurs, but also the default “short” option offered for their mountain bike counterparts.
What is short cage and long cage difference?
A chain that slacks can be represented as the force acting on the lever (derailleur's cage in our case) and puts tension on the spring. Long cage = easier to move / short cage = harder to move. If you use only one chainring you can use a short cage derailleur.
How do I identify my Shimano rear derailleur?
Shimano stamps the rear derailleur model number on the underside/lower plate of the parallelogram. All models for the last several decades.
Can you mix SRAM and Shimano?
SRAM's cassettes and chains are compatible with all of Shimano's groupsets, and vice versa. Likewise, Shimano and SRAM buyers have the freedom to mix different levels of chains and cassettes so long as they are designed for the same kind of transmission.
Can you mix shifters and derailleurs?
No. The ratio has to be the same, so the rear shifter and derailleur have to be the same brand. You can mix SRAM and Shimano for the front shifter and derailleur, though. And the brand of crankset doesn't matter.
Will 9-speed derailleur work with 8 speed cassette?
Condensed answer: 8 and 9-speed derailleurs have the same rear shift ratio but only when both models are made either by Shimano or SRAM. In consequence, a 9-speed derailleur can work just fine with an 8-speed cassette produced by the same brand.
Can I use any front derailleur?
In addition, front derailleurs are made for either 7, 8, 9 or 10-speed chains, but they can often be used interchangeably. If you are using a different chain than your derailleur was made to work with, the degree of adjustment you can expect will be lower than with a matched set.
Can I use Shimano derailleur with SRAM cassette?
Considering these parts were never designed to play well together, the Sram GX AXS shifter and derailleur work perfectly on the Shimano XTR cassette.
Is Altus better than acera?
Acera and Altus is positioned at the same level but based on my experience I feel Altus is much better than Acera. They create less problems and operate more precisely. Also they are lighter. They use some technology from Alivio line which you will appreciate.
Can I use a 7 speed derailleur on an 8 speed cassette?
8 speed shifter and cassette, 7 speed derailleur? You'll be fine. There's no "probably" about it. 6-, 7- and 8-speed gear is all cross-compatible in terms of chain width.
Which is better SS or GS?
The difference between SS and GS is technically as follows. To make it easy to remember, SS (short cage) is compatible with cross ratio road sprockets, while GS (medium cage) is compatible with wide ratio sprockets. Cross ratios, wide ratios, the world of gear ratios is a deep one.
Whats the difference between SGS and GS derailleur?
GS is the medium length cage and SGS is the long cage on the rear derailleur, if you ride a hardtail (and you don't cross chain) then a GS will do, An SGS is better suited to a full suss as the chain growth needs to be taken up by the RD...
Can you change the cage on a rear derailleur?
Yes, it is possible to convert your Ultegra SS rear derailleur to a GS rear derailleur. We have done this switch in my shop to get a wider gear range on a new Dura-Ace Di2-equipped bicycle, by switching parts between Ultegra and Dura-Ace Di2 rear derailleurs.
