1x10 Setup - Medium or Long Cage

Hey gang, thinking of dumping my granny and going 1x10 on my Tracer 2. My thought was 34t up front with an 11-36 cassette, 10 speed XO shifter and medium cage RD. Can anyone see any flaws in this setup that I'm not thinking about? I'm just assuming a medium cage with work with an 11-36 but I'm not positive. Or would an 11-42 with a long cage make more sense on a 1x for socal riding? Any thoughts appreciated.

 

I would do some research on the new sram XX1 set up, it looks interesting, good luck

 

Actually neither! With a single ring up front you will want to run a shortcage rear derailleur!!

 

Maybe you should go with a 30t or smaller up front...

http://www.bike198.com/overanalyzing-1x10/

 

I was just doing some quick reading on this but I thought it said it required a new crank for some reason - can't think why unless the chainline has to be exactly in the middle of the standard small and medium rings. I think I'll let them work the kinks out of that and ride a proven 1x10 for a year or two, but I like the idea of an 11-42 cassette - not sure if that is possible with a 10spd.

 

I would run medium

 

The new sram XX1 is a 1X11 set up

 

Does a short cage have the reach to get on a larger range cassette like 11-36 or 11-38 ?

El Cap - thanks for the link, great article

 

Shortest cage you can...

 

Short cage

 

I think Sram tooth limit specs are Short- 30t, Medium- 37t, and Long 43t. I may be slightly off, but, according to that you should easily run a short cage with a 1x10 11-36 cassette. Thats only a 25t span and the short cage will be able to handle it.

 

Just to add how you get tooth count for those unsure. (Front big-front small) + (rear big - rear small).

 

Shortest that you can but also depends on the rear cassette
If the Cassette is to big on the Low gear the derailleur will hit the last gear and get stuck when shifting
I run 33th front due to frame not allowing bigger ring and 11-34 rear so i could fit a X0 short cage on a 29er

I wish i could get a 36 front but Canfield Yelli frame wont allow it

Also you will want to run a Chain guide up front so the chain does not fall off all the time

 

I don't know of any current RD that won't take 36 tooth cassette. Also if its hitting you need to adjust the b screw.

 

I dealt with a X9 and a X0 that did that on 2 different bikes and both had 36 and believe me we went thru all adjustments possible even maxing out the B-screw
The derailleur would shift up into 36 but when shifting to a lower gear the body between both pulleys would snag the cassette

 

I currently run a 1x10. I have an x-9 short cage with a sram 11-34 cassette. Works pretty good. I have a 31 tooth chainring up front and the e13 xcx chainguide.

The only thing I regret is not going with a 11-36. Some longer/steep climbs get tough.

 

The new SRAM X9,X0 Type 2 short cage say 36T capacity for rear cassette. I've read that both Shimano and Sram tend to be conservative with their numbers. The shortest cage possible is always the best. You can't go wrong with Med cage either, and if you decide to go back to 2x, then you don't have to get another derailleur.

You will want to run a chain guide that has both top and bottom like the MRP G2, E13 LG1 or Lopes Guide, unless you are running a Type 2 or Shadow + rear derailleur...then you can just run a top guide like the E13 XCX or use your front derailleur and adjust the limit screws.

I'm currently running an 11-36T with and Med Cage Shadow + and have a 34T Chainring with XCX guide. Haven't dropped a chain yet. In the past I ran a Lopes guide and never dropped a chain with that either.

 

Short cage is ideal. 10sp 11-42 cassettes don't exist. 34T with an 11-36 is what I usually run (currently on a 32T due to some chain guide issues) and it works fine for me on every trail I've run (I haven't had to walk because of it), but I've let others try it out and they don't like it. I've tried the XX1 around the parking lot and it's quite nice. I care more about the reduced chain drops than the extra range of the 9-42 cassette and if I can't sort out my chain guide issue, I'm switching to XX1.

 

I will be switching to 1x10 on my SS Inbred 29er after christmas and I have the same question. I have been told that Med and Short both should work. I plan on using the current 32 tooth ring and a 11-36 cassette and a Type 2 der. still not sure if I should go with a short or Med cage.

Would love to try the 1x11 XX1, but at $1500... it will have to wait.

 

If you never plan to use a FD short cage is best. Med cage is fine and can work for more setups later on.