Short cage or mid cage?

HeavyMetaLance

Well-Known Member
I'm finally getting around to get my CX fixed.
In the last race, I destroyed the rear derailleur, derailleur hanger, cable, and chain.

I see that Shimano has short and mid-cage choices for the ultegra derailleur.
I'm not sure which one I need.
My cassette is 11 x 28
Chainrings are 46 x 36

If either short or mid cage will work fine, is there an advantage of one over the other? Does one work better in the cruddy conditions of CX?

Here is the specs from their website.
Mid - http://bike.shimano.com/publish/con...roduct.-code-RD-6700-G-GS.-type-.rd_road.html
Short - http://bike.shimano.com/publish/con...roduct.-code-RD-6700-G-SS.-type-.rd_road.html

Note: The bike came with ultegra. I'm undecided whether to stick with ultegra, or downgrade to 105.
 
Shorter the better. Check the tooth calculator and see if a short will work, if it does, get a short.
Shorter gives you crisper shifts and stuck on stuff less.
 
Unless you want to be able to throw a 32 or 34 tooth cog, I'd stick with the short cage. The short cage will accommodate the 28 no problem.

You probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the Ultegra or 105, and the 105 is half the price. It's a cross bike, you're bound to wreck another derailleur...
 
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