bark_eater 

My big project goal this year is finally get my low trail 650b Trek Elance 400t beyond the pile of parts stage. One of the last components I need to decide on is a rear derailleur.

I've got 2 wheelsets that I'll be trying out one with a 7 speed Phil Wood free wheel hub. The second is a 7 speed Shimano cassette hub that I may try running 8 cogs of 9 with indexed shifters, that would run as friction, if I'm using a freewheel. So I was thinking I should use a "modern" long cage rear derailleur out back.

I have a spare Deore M591 I can use, but was wondering how the Microshift R10s compare functionally. Aesthetically, I would much rather have a polished aluminum mechanism with a black cage, over the all black Deore.

My ideal gearing is 13-30t and 30-46t which requires a derailleur capacity of 33t. I've seen conflicting information on the Microshifts largest cog capacity. The manufacturer limits the largest cog to 28T with both short and medium cages, but I have seen vendors list it as 34T.

It is conceivable that I will run a 34T mega range freewheel on this bike as the Phil Wood wheelset is very nice and much lighter, but I don't have an extensive freewheel collection.

So with all that going on the rear derailleur is the last crucial piece of the puzzle. Another part of going with a modern derailleur is having a spare on hand, which is harder with vintage component's. Thanks, Woody

southpawboston

The Microshift derailleurs are pretty popular with the BoB crowd, and even a drool-worthy new custom Chapman was recently built up with a 10-spd Microshift RD with the logo polished out. It's a classic looking derailleur and apparently works really well according to the owner.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/chapma...7714810365741/

And let's be honest, the way technology trickles down over multiple generations of components, modern low-end components often work better than top of the line components several generations older. My Bike Friday cargo bike has one of the cheapest 8-speed Shimano derailleurs (I don't even know the model... Acera?), but it shifts better than my DA 7400 or my Shimano 105 RDs. I'm actually pretty psyched to try the Microshift on my daily rider. It's cheap, has the classic look, and supposedly performs great. If it doesn't, I'll only be out $38.

fender1

I used a Microshift RD on my recently redone Ritchey. It works better than the Ultegra long cage I had on the bike initially. I got it for $43. I bought 2 more just to have in the stash for future use.

bark_eater 

Where did you get them? They seem a little scarce right now.

fender1

It was a while back on eBay. Seller was in Taiwan. Superbicyle.shop was the seller.

bark_eater 

I think I found a couple at $50 shipped. Hopefully not a place stocked with wishful thinking.

Id like to confirm that these will work with 8 speed chains. I've had no problems with the 9 speed Deores.

And incase any one is looking, Performance/Nashbar say there going to have silver Deore M951 deraillers in stock soon. Sounds wishful.

Russ Roth

It really is a 10sp der that they claim will work with 9sp. I'd bet it works but isn't the ideal for space between the plates holding the pulleys which might not matter for a strictly road bike. I can confirm the medium cage r9 will shift to 34t since I use it on my road bike.

bark_eater 

This is the description I found:

"

Details

R-series rear derailleurs are designed to work with 7, 8, 9, and 10-speed Shimano-compatible road shifters. These R10 aluminum rear derailleurs are lightweight, precision CNC-machined, robust, and can get any bike back on the road.

- Lightweight all-aluminum construction
- Compatible with Shimano 7, 8, 9, and 10-speed road systems
- Not compatible with Shimano Tiagra 4700 road system
- Short cage for double crankset and 28T max cog
- Medium cage for double crankset and 34T max cog"

ascherer 

I think the Microshift is a fine derailleur.This R10 has been running happily on my Mk. I using 48/34 chainwheels, an 11-32 cassette and the Microshift brifters. I also have a long cage version and tried it for a few rides, they performed equally well. If I ever decide to go bigger in the back I feel like I'll have capacity.

bark_eater 

Is that the short cage model that is supposed to max out at 28t cog size?

ascherer 

Yup. The only limit I've reached is when I've absent-mindedly cross-chained when in the large chainwheel. Even then, I think the reason it won't go is chain length.

ascherer 

Here's the long cage version.

bark_eater 

I think that's the version I found. I'll believe it when they get here. They where listed as a medium mega or some sorts, and the cages are aluminum so I could polish them at some point. Now I have to figure out 9 speed down tube shifters. It looks like my choices are Dura Ace and Microshift.