Am I Crazy? - Long vs Short Rear Mech Cage for Racing
12-02-21, 05:35 PM
#26
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Long is the new short. Check out how low these hang...
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12-02-21, 09:07 PM
#27
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I'd swap it out just to be safe.
It's a slippery slope on the Fred scale.. if you start accepting a longer-than-necessary rear derailleur cage, what's next? Valve stem caps? MTB pedals? A couple of stem spacers suddenly seems OK, right?
Where do you draw the line? If you don't put a pin in this now, before you know it you'll be rolling up to the Cat 3 start line with a saddle bag and visible leg hair.
It's a slippery slope on the Fred scale.. if you start accepting a longer-than-necessary rear derailleur cage, what's next? Valve stem caps? MTB pedals? A couple of stem spacers suddenly seems OK, right?
Where do you draw the line? If you don't put a pin in this now, before you know it you'll be rolling up to the Cat 3 start line with a saddle bag and visible leg hair.
I was going to put off installing my RD-6800-SS because the RD-5800-GS seems to be shifting OK, but no more; I will make the swap tomorrow morning as soon as that Zoom meeting is over.
12-02-21, 09:54 PM
#28
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There's no functional disadvantage to using a longer-cage derailleur than is strictly necessary, other than a couple grams additional weight for the longer cage.
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12-02-21, 10:03 PM
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Rule #33: Legs are to be carefully shaved at all times. If, for some reason, your legs are to be left hairy, make sure you can dish out plenty of hurt to shaved riders, or be considered a hippie ****** on your way to a Critical Mass. Whether you use a straight razor or a Bowie knife, use Baxter to keep them smooth.
Rule#34: Mountain bike shoes and pedals have their place.On a mountain bike.
Rule#45: A maximum stack height of 2cm is allowed below the stem and a single 5mm spacer must always – always – be stacked above. A “slammed down” stack height is preferable; meaning that the stem is positioned directly on the top race of the headset.
Rule#60: You are not, under any circumstances, to employ the use of the washer-nut and valve-stem cap that come with your inner-tubes or tubulars. They are only supplied to meet shipping regulations. They are useless when it comes to tubes and tires.
12-02-21, 10:16 PM
#30
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Anyone who can write "I've been getting into road racing and am now having regrets that this was a bad choice. Having a long cage is not very racy and kind of "Fred"-like" with a straight face has already achieved Full Fred-dom. We Freds come in many varieties.
I'm afraid the op is too far gone to recover by changing a derailleur cage.
I'm afraid the op is too far gone to recover by changing a derailleur cage.
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12-03-21, 12:00 AM
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Fredly can still be racy looking.
12-03-21, 12:39 AM
#32
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12-03-21, 06:28 PM
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I don't think I could even tell the difference between a long and short cage derailleur at a glance.
And tell them the asymmetric sock length is proven to be more aero around an anti-clockwise crit course.
And tell them the asymmetric sock length is proven to be more aero around an anti-clockwise crit course.
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12-03-21, 06:44 PM
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The race bike.........yup, 30t capacity RD cage. But they fit the fancy larger tooth count jockey wheels if you believe such things reduce friction. Without changing the RD cage. I just liked the gold and do kind of drink the Koolaid on drivetrain losses and larger diameters and gentler chain radii. Also, anyone "in the know" runs the long cage RD with a clutch for cyclocross racing these days. Less issues dropping a chain. More capacity for more range. Win.
But.....even though that's a RD that can take a 30t cassette and can probably squeeze a 32 if I try...........but that's a 60t front ring.
Nobody really cares about any of that if you can't push the dang gears. You could have an 11-23 modern day "corn cob" and 56/42 crank with shortest RD cage ever seen. If you can't push the dang pedals in anger to good effect to win.............it's all worthless.
But.....even though that's a RD that can take a 30t cassette and can probably squeeze a 32 if I try...........but that's a 60t front ring.
Nobody really cares about any of that if you can't push the dang gears. You could have an 11-23 modern day "corn cob" and 56/42 crank with shortest RD cage ever seen. If you can't push the dang pedals in anger to good effect to win.............it's all worthless.
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12-03-21, 07:36 PM
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12-04-21, 12:58 PM
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That actually has a practical aero advantage. The shorter sock on the drive side is less likely to get soiled from the chain/chainring. Thus, avoiding airflow disturbance from a blob of goop on an otherwise clean sock.
12-04-21, 04:01 PM
#37
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You’re more of a “Fred” now that you’re racing. Welcome to the world of LARP’ing.
Embrace it.
You’re just like the people who dress up and do Civil War battles or D&D.
Worrying about the length of your sword is a bit much. Just focus on leveling up your Frost Mage to CAT 3. The length of your Staff of Woe is immaterial to your success.
Good Luck!
Embrace it.
You’re just like the people who dress up and do Civil War battles or D&D.
Worrying about the length of your sword is a bit much. Just focus on leveling up your Frost Mage to CAT 3. The length of your Staff of Woe is immaterial to your success.
Good Luck!
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