Can I run a Medium Cage or.... « Singletrack Forum

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Can I run a Medium Cage or....

16 posts & 5 voices | Started 3 months ago by ltheisinger | Latest reply from ltheisinger

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ltheisinger - Member

....does it have to be long cage for the following situation:

I am changing to 10 speed, but not sure wether I'm going to go 3x10 or 2x10 with bash? So the questions is...if I use buy a medium cage will it work 3x10 or not?

I would like to try both 2x10 & 3x10 to find out which suits me best, but if the 2x10 is ok for me gear ratio wise - I don't really need the long cage.

I used to run a medium cage on 3x9 and it was fine, but didn't know if this would be the same being that it is 10 speed.

Any help would be appreciated before I commit to the mech.

Posted 3 months ago #
LoCo - Member

Not a full answer but I used to run a short cage XTR rear mech with a 3 X 9 setup with a 44 tooth big ring and that worked fine unless you were at the very extremes of opposing sides of the chainset and block.
So I'd think a medium cage would be fine, would be running one on my new 10 spd setup but the XTR clutch mech didn't come in medium spec.

Posted 3 months ago #
ltheisinger - Member

Thanks LoCo. Might just go for the medium cage then?

I won't be ordering until later tonight, so hopefully a few more bits of feedback before I press 'buy'.

Posted 3 months ago #
ltheisinger - Member

Bump for the evening crowd - anyone run medium mech on 3x10? Is it ok?

Posted 3 months ago #
awh - Member

Is there nothing on the manufacturer's website? I thought the difference in size between the smallest and largest sprocket was usually the deciding factor.

Posted 3 months ago #
ltheisinger - Member

awh - Member

Is there nothing on the manufacturer's website? I thought the difference in size between the smallest and largest sprocket was usually the deciding factor.

Usual stuff - i.e. 3x10=long & 2x10=Medium, but they used to say 3x9=long & 2x9=Medium - however you could run 3x9 on a medium and I suppose that is what I'm after? Is anyone running 3x10 on a Medium 10speed mech?

Posted 3 months ago #
awh - Member

Can you find the total capacity of the mechs of interest? The XT one on the Shimano website has a listed total capacity of 35T. Once you know your chainring and cassette big/small sprocket you should be able to work it out.

Posted 3 months ago #
Superficial - Member

It'll be fine as long as you accept that you might not be able to use all chainring/sprocket options. I.e. small front + small rear will give you too much slack, and big front + big rear might stretch the mech (especially on a compressed full sus) to the point of drivetrain explosion.

The range on the new 10speed is greater than 9 speed, especially if you go for an 11-36 cassette, which presumably means the mechs have to take up a greater amount of chain.

Posted 3 months ago #
ltheisinger - Member

Superficial - Member

It'll be fine as long as you accept that you might not be able to use all chainring/sprocket options. I.e. small front + small rear will give you too much slack, and big front + big rear might stretch the mech (especially on a compressed full sus) to the point of drivetrain explosion.

The range on the new 10speed is greater than 9 speed, especially if you go for an 11-36 cassette, which presumably means the mechs have to take up a greater amount of chain.

Mmmmm? Looks like I am going to have to make a decision on 2x10 or 3x10 before I've tried it? Gutted.

Posted 3 months ago #
ltheisinger - Member

Ok, thinking again....

For 9 speed (medium cage) I was running 11-34 cassette and 26-36-44 chain rings - so at the top end I would have 26+34=60t and at the bottom end 11+44=55t.

On 3x10 I would have 24+36=60t at the top end and 11+42=53t at the bottom end - so in theory would a medium work on 3x10 (as it did for 3x9)?

Posted 3 months ago #
Superficial - Member

Small front + small rear (on your 9 speed example) = 26 + 11 = 35
Large front + large rear = 44 + 34 = 78

Obviously those aren't gears you'll often be using, but I wouldn't like to have a bike that couldn't work in those scenarios - if only for when a friend rides it etc.

Is having a long cage mech with double and bash unacceptable?

Posted 3 months ago #
ltheisinger - Member

Mmmm? The more I think the more I can't decide? As for Long cage & double + bash...I don't know?

Posted 3 months ago #
awh - Member

Don't forget you need a chain of the right length as well

Posted 3 months ago #
ltheisinger - Member

awh - Member

Don't forget you need a chain of the right length as well

Chain wise not an issue - As long as I buy one long enough, I can always take links out as I use a power link.

Posted 3 months ago #
nicko74 - Member

The range on the new 10speed is greater than 9 speed, especially if you go for an 11-36 cassette, which presumably means the mechs have to take up a greater amount of chain.

That would be my concern, but I run a medium cage on 3x9 without any issues at all. I never use the 'bad' gear combinations at all, so it's not an issue, although in theory I think it might struggle if I did.

Likewise 3x10; you just may not be able to use 6 gear combos that you wouldn't use anyway. Personally I'd say go for it, unless you often find yourself scrabbling for the wrong gear. The shorter cage should result in fewer mech/ rock strikes, too

Posted 3 months ago #
ltheisinger - Member

nicko74 - Member

Likewise 3x10; you just may not be able to use 6 gear combos that you wouldn't use anyway. Personally I'd say go for it, unless you often find yourself scrabbling for the wrong gear. The shorter cage should result in fewer mech/ rock strikes, too

That is exactly my thinking! I don't use those combos...ever and the chances are I will go 2x10, but I don't want to limit myself if I don't get on with 2x10. Mech Strikes are my concern on long cage.

Posted 3 months ago #

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