short or long cage

[Dawgee]

Just wondering which is better to use on my new V10. A short or long cage derailer (thats how i spell it) I will only be using one chain ring in the front .
Thanks

[Tim]

All other things equal, shorter is better -- weighs less, keeps the chain tighter, doesn't hang as low and get caught on rocks, etc. With only one ring you can certainly get away with a short cage.

Tim

[C.P.]

With only one ring you can certainly get away with a short cage.

Tim


Ditto - go short cage with only one ring.

[grayghostss]

One ring-Short!
The formula for those less clear-cut (as I understand it):

Difference between rear large and small +
difference between front large and small =
minimum rear derailleur capacity

[boingboing]

I run a short cage Deraileur <~~sp? >:( on my big hit with a small ring 32 on the front and have had no problems. I even removed a couple of links and it still works great. With a 24" rear wheel I am pretty much forced to run a short cage. If 2 front rings are used just check the chain length while its on the largest front and rear and the smallest rings front and rear to make sure the chain does not strech or the deraileur does not rub. I dissconnected my rear shock so that I could move the swing arm around to see if (chain stretch) would make a difference. I am considering using a short cage on my sugar as well since I dumped the big ring. I burned up 3 deraileurs this year catching them on stuff. This has probably all been said before but hey, it's midnight, I am at work, and I am bored to death.