So, I have a question for all you brilliant mountainbike mechs out there. I am currently running a 42t single ring up front, an 8 speed 11-32 cassette in the rear, srs e13, and a shimano acera der. I'm not sure of the cage length on it. Anyway, I'm thinking about upgrading the entire drivetrain and swtching to a 38t up front, a downhill cassette in the rear (11-24ish), and a new der. I'm just not sure what cage length I will need in order to use all my gears. Thanks for any help.
Drivetrain setup
- Thread starter keeferinoxiv
- Start date
You should be able to run a short cage with no worries. The formula for calculating how many links that need to be taken up by the derailleur is (big ring-small ring) + (biggest cog-smallest cog) = derailleur capacity required. Hope that helps.
I had heard of that formula, I just wanted to double check before I spent $300 on new parts. Thanks.
FWIW I'm pretty sure that acera deraillers are only available as long cage.
Also, I've run a short cage derailler on an 11-32 9spd cassette with a 36T chainring and had no issues.
The only potential issue I could is chainline, but you're already running a 1x8 so you should be fine.
Also, I've run a short cage derailler on an 11-32 9spd cassette with a 36T chainring and had no issues.
The only potential issue I could is chainline, but you're already running a 1x8 so you should be fine.
the 1X8 or 1X9 set up allows you to run just about any length cage. As Jon said, chain line can get a little wacky but you can do it. I run a med X9 with a 36 in front and 32 rear, and my wife's dh bike runs a small shimano road der with 38 in front and 32 rear.