Bagel Bob

Has anyone used a short cage Ultegra derailluer with a 32t casette?

I'm changing my Shimano 105 11 speed 11-28 cassette for a new Ultegra 11-32, (and new Ultegra chain). My current derailluer is the short cage Ultegra (RD R8000-SS) and Shimano says it's good for up to a 30 tooth cassette. Would I be OK using my short cage with the 32 tooth or am I asking for trouble?

I already bought the long cage (R8000-GS) but I'm questioning whether it's really necessary. I could still return the new one as it's still in the unopened box and within their 30 day return window.

Cyclist0108

Try it. I use the 32T-rated mid-cage Ultegra on a 36T cassette with no problem. Just crank on the B-screw.

redlude97

I will probably clear, it may not have enough take up capacity to work with both the 50/32 and 34/11 combo or 52/36. If you're ok with that size your new chain for the big+big combo and if there is slack in the chain on 34x11 just don't use that gear combo

August West

My 2015 Giant Defy Advanced Pro1 had the short cage derailleur (Ultegra 6800) and it worked fine with an 11-32T. Shimano says 28T max and the bike came with an 11-28T but I had the bike shop (a Giant company store) swap it out to an 11-32T and it always shifted great. Give it a try, nothing to lose but I bet it works fine on the R8000 too. Don't forget you need a longer chain more than likely.

Leisesturm

The length of the cage has nothing to do with whether or not a given RD will clear a given size of big cog. It has everything to do with the design of the upper part of the RD. There are older long cage RD's that will not clear a 32T big cog. They can WRAP the chain resulting from a wide range front triple but they may not clear a too big cog. There are now a number of different companies making dropper bolts so a RD that doesn't quite clear a 32T or bigger cog can still be used as long as its cage is long enough to wrap up the excess chain of the lowest allowable gear.

Bagel Bob

For whatever it's worth, the factory claims a capacity of 35 with the short cage and I'd be at 37 with this 50-34 & 11-32 set-up. Guess I'll just use the mid-cage, I'd hate to mess with the currently excellent shifting.

Retro Grouch 

Before you give up on the idea, when is the last time that you can remember actually using your 34/11 combination? Or your 34/12 or 34/14? I could picture myself accidentally shifting into the big/big sometime but never accidentally shifting into into the little/little.