Long Cage Derailleur?

[Collette]

Can someone explain to me the good/bad of a long-cage derailleur? Is it fine for normal XC riding?

I've been offered new SRAM X7 Triggers & Rear Derailleur (Long Cage) for around $80 for both

Thanks in advance.

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by Collette

Can someone explain to me the good/bad of a long-cage derailleur? Is it fine for normal XC riding?

I've been offered new SRAM X7 Triggers & Rear Derailleur (Long Cage) for around $80 for both

Thanks in advance.

They are a little better for cross-chainning. On longer travel bikes they seem to work a little better.

ON hardtails, I normally run a short or medium cage, but on FS rigs always run long cage.

[Waldo]

Isn't the theory that a long cage shifts more positively, while short or med cages shift quicker?
Long cage weighs a fraction more and is also somewhat more susceptible to damage from rocks & other hazards.

I run a Sram X-9 shifter with a med cage X-9 rear der on my Turner f/s, and it works great. I know others with longer travel full-squish bikes running the same setup just fine.

[Waldo]

Thanks, Mechmann - you mentioned a factor I hadn't read or thought about before. Guess it's a good thing I'm pretty conscious about not cross-chaining.
Maybe I'll think about going back to a long-cage next time. Would the the long cage have a greater ability to control chain tension, thus cutting down on chain slap on the stays when coasting down rough patches?

[LBmtb]

The short and medium cages do a better job at controlling chain slap but like mechman mentioned the long cages are the way to go if you use gears like big chainring & big cog.

[Waldo]

Ahhh...so much to learn...
(but that's half the fun!)