Broke my rear mech today in Llandegla when I twisted the chain 90 degrees. Can shift, but badly, and I'm due to be riding the CRC Ruthin ride next weekend.
Looking on my LBS website the Shimano rear mechs are listed as either low normal or top normal, what does this mean, and will my slightly aging LX shifters cope with them?
PS Some are also called Shadow, again, what difference does this make?
Low normal (aka Rapid Rise) mech springs to largest sprocket with no cable, thumb paddle shifts down the block.
Top normal (more common) is the other way, the mech springs to the smallest sprocket with no cable, and the thumb paddle shifts up the cassette.
Your shifters will be fine with either, but their function will be reversed.
Shadow is the latest style, they're lower profile and have better cable runs, they're lighter and you're less likely to wallop them on rocks etc.
Ta njee, think it'll be top normal then, can't be bothered trying to learn rapidfires working in reverse. I thought that might be the case but wanted to check.