Running lower gears - what to change?

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Permalink Reply by Patrick Ferringer on May 29, 2013 at 7:42am

You just need to get a long cage rear derailleur and you will be set to run a 32 on the back.

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Permalink Reply by Mel Cooke on May 31, 2013 at 7:57pm

Thanks Patrick

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Permalink Reply by Cyclocross Magazine on May 31, 2013 at 1:37am

Mel, you don't have to run long cage necessarily. You may have a hard time getting the Ultegra to work, but while YMMV, we've gotten a 34t to work on an Ultegra Di2 rear derailleur, believe it or not. 

An Ulegra long cage would work. Other options are GS-caged pre-Dynasys Shimano rear derailleurs, like an LX or XT, or SGS cage. We've used an GS cage with up to a 34 as well. You just have to pay attention to the B screw, and derailleur hanger length and things like that matter. If you went a triple up front, you'd definitely need a long cage, but with a double, it's debatable. 

Good luck! 

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Permalink Reply by Mel Cooke on May 31, 2013 at 8:00pm

Thanks! I really don't want to go the route of a triple up front, both from a cost standpoint and even more from the complication standpoint.....triple just never seem to stay adjusted in my experience.

Sounds to me like it's time to visit the lbs and look into the long cage Ultegra as the simplest solution. Is there such a thing as a medium cage and if so is there any advantage to shorter cages?

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