Once on the bike, we can see how it looks, and where things are either better or worse. For the record, with a 11-28t and 11-32t cassette, shifting was unchanged/great. No adjustment to the B-tension screw and no rumbling in the lowest gear combinations. Success!
Starting gear combination is 53/36t up front and 11-28t out back. Ending combination is the same 53/36t up front and a 11-32t out back.
1A - 36-11 combo, RD up close. The chain length is set up for the SS-length 9070 cage and there is no rubbing in the small-small combo. Obviously none here as well!
1B - 36-11 combo, macro view. Not too bad looking for a small-small combo, eh?
2A - 36-28 combo, RD close up.
2B - 36-28 combo, macro view. Looks pretty standard for a 9000 system. R9100 and R9200 have the cage and chain zig-zagging back and forth with the derailleur body and pulley cage design. Quite the dynamic look. 9000 is always a bit minimal in that regard, in contrast to it's classy-flashy aesthetic (which I really like).
3A - 53-11 combo, RD close up. Aesthetically-pleasing angles here.
3B - 53-11 combo, macro view. Perfect for those GCN Nice/Super Nice contests, lol.
4A - 53-25 combo, RD close up. Reeeeal stretched out here. It will do the full monty 53-28, as I did for all of two seconds, but it's all on the stand stuff with as nice a shift to and from. I wouldn't go as low as a 25t with this setup, but it's good to know I can. The SS cage setup naturally does a 53-28 combo with room to spare.
4B - 53-25t combo, macro view. Almost as cool as the pros doing it up mountains...
5A - 36-32t combo, RD close up. Derailleur is a happy camper.
5B - 36-32 combo, macro view. Is this a touring or gravel bike? Ok ok ok, just kidding. A 28t low is great for this bike as I have two other vintage Treks will comprehensive triple setups and don't need a third. But this is R&D, right?
