Shimano mid-cage RD with 11-36 cassette

[fa63]

Has anyone tried this combination? I imagine it will work with the B-screw all the way in, but first wanted to see if anyone has done it before I spend money on a new cassette.

Why you might ask? Yesterday I went to the N. Georgia mountains to test my legs on some of the climbs before the Six Gap Century. Things would be fine until around 6-8%, but after that I found it hard to keep my legs spinning with my current 50-34 / 11-32 combo, which I thought would be sufficient. Being fat doesn't help; 10 years ago when I was 50 lbs lighter, I did this ride with a 53-39 / 11-25. Anyways, just want to make sure I can get through the ride (especially up the middle section of Hogpen) without killing my knees.

http://www.johnstonefitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/six_gap_elevation.png

[Dired]

I ran this setup via PG-1130 until converting to xt. Still have all the parts if you're interested.

[bobswire]

This is why I ride a triple on long mountainous rides,love having that granny gear as a bailout. I seldom ever need it but when I do it's a godsend. Throw this (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sugino-AT-Triple-Crank-Set-48-36-24T-175mm-110BCD-Road-Bike-Square-Taper-/351837141713?hash=item51eb20bad1:g:ndwAAOSwknJXxw~ R)on with a 11/36 and spin up those hills. :)

[guido]

I use a 11-36 cassette with an Ultegra RD 6800 GS on a couple of different bikes and it works like a charm. I don't even need to push the B screw beyond what is needed for the 32. No need to mess with the weirdness of a triple with brifters.

[fa63]

I ran this setup via PG-1130 until converting to xt. Still have all the parts if you're interested.



I already have a mid-cage RD, but I might be interested in the cassette/chain.


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[weisan]

fa pal, judging by what you wrote, you wanna go triple. Compact + 11-36 won't be enough. Trust me on this one.

[fa63]

Triple might be better, but it would also mean getting a new left shifter and crankset. And the ride is next weekend :)

I think 11-36 will give me enough low end for me to get by. I rode three of the six climbs yesterday, and I am pretty sure I could get by with my current compact/11-32 setup if I had to, but having that 11-36 bailout gear would be nice. It is not like I ride in this kind of terrain all the time; Atlanta is hilly, but the hills are typically short and punchy and not 5-6 miles long like some of the climbs in the mountains.

[hooter]

I run a shimano mid-cage with a 11-36 on my gravel bike. It got it to work by turning the B screw around, but went with a longer Wolfstooth B screw because it made it easier to adjust.

[rnhood]

If your bike his 10 speed, then you only need to install an XT 9 speed rear derailleur (similar pull ratio) - readily available at most shops (and relatively cheap). I've put about 50k miles on this set up on my bike, and there isn't anything that I can't climb - Brasstown Bald and Hogpen included.

If you don't plan on losing weight, then maybe the triple set-up is the way to go. But you can change the rear derailleur very quickly.

[weisan]

Triple might be better, but it would also mean getting a new left shifter and crankset. And the ride is next weekend :)

I think 11-36 will give me enough low end for me to get by. I rode three of the six climbs yesterday, and I am pretty sure I could get by with my current compact/11-32 setup if I had to, but having that 11-36 bailout gear would be nice. It is not like I ride in this kind of terrain all the time; Atlanta is hilly, but the hills are typically short and punchy and not 5-6 miles long like some of the climbs in the mountains.

Yeah, I think you are right, you will be fine....just be prepared to suffer like a dog...like everyone else. That's the reason you sign up for Six Gaps, no? :D

[fa63]

There will be suffering, that is for sure :D

[fa63]

If your bike his 10 speed, then you only need to install an XT 9 speed rear derailleur (similar pull ratio) - readily available at most shops (and relatively cheap). I've put about 50k miles on this set up on my bike, and there isn't anything that I can't climb - Brasstown Bald and Hogpen included.

If you don't plan on losing weight, then maybe the triple set-up is the way to go. But you can change the rear derailleur very quickly.

I am on 11 speed.

I am always planning to lose weight, it just hasn't been happening :) I ride 8-10 hours a week, but lack the discipline to change my poor eating habits...

[Benneke]

You could run an 11-40 cassette if you use a Wolftooth Roadlink

[Look585]

I have a surplus roadlink and 11-40 XT I'd sell you cheap... Abandoned 1x11 project... 12 miles on them.

[fa63]

Thanks everyone. I have got a Wolftooth / 11-40 cassette combo coming (thanks to Look585), as well as a 11-36 cassette. I will see if I can make the Wolftooth / 11-40 play nicely with my 50-34 crankset; otherwise, I will just use it with the 11-36 cassette. Should make it a little easier to spin up those climbs!

[dem]

You'll probably have a floppy small-small due to RD tooth capacity with the 50/34 and 11-40, but give it a shot and report back.

Also make sure the chain you buy is lonnnng. Some of the OEM packs are pretty stingy (110 or 112 links) and with the Roadlink you may require a few extra.

I'm always looking for lower gears, so curious how it works with the 11-40.

[fa63]

I bought a 105 chain, which is supposed to come with 116 links so I should be good there.

I suspect you are right about the small-small combo being floppy. The Wolftooth roadlink should help with that, but we will see how it works. I should have all the parts in hand by Thursday, and I will report back as soon as I can install them.

[Bantamben]

So does the 11-40 fit on a standard 11 speed road free hub (shimano)

[fa63]

It should. I will let you know for sure when everything gets here.

[palincss]

I bought a 105 chain, which is supposed to come with 116 links so I should be good there.

I suspect you are right about the small-small combo being floppy. The Wolftooth roadlink should help with that, but we will see how it works. I should have all the parts in hand by Thursday, and I will report back as soon as I can install them.

The RoadLink's technical page says it will allow the rear derailleur to clear a 40T sprocket, but only for 10 tooth or fewer chain ring gap. 34-50 is a 16 tooth gap, and so exceeds the specs. What you want for a 34-50 and an 11-40 is the Wolftooth TanPan and a Dynasys rear derailleur. Or a Dynasys rear and a Jtek Shiftmate #8.

[fa63]

http://www.gravelcyclist.com/bicycle-tech/tinkering-attempting-the-impossible-part-2-lindarets-roadlink-review/

These guys made a 48-34 crankset work with a 11-40 cassette (except the big big combo). I imagine 50-34 will be similar. If not, I am OK with a 11-36 in the back as well.


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[radsmd]

http://www.gravelcyclist.com/bicycle-tech/tinkering-attempting-the-impossible-part-2-lindarets-roadlink-review/

These guys made a 48-34 crankset work with a 11-40 cassette (except the big big combo). I imagine 50-34 will be similar. If not, I am OK with a 11-36 in the back as well.


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I am running a 50/34 with a 11-40 with the roadlink, 11 speed without any problems on my tandem. 6870 GS rear derailleur. Chain length ok big-big and sm-sm.

[fa63]

Installed everything this morning (Wolftooth Roadlink & XT 11-40 cassette).

Big-big combo:

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160924/70a6f599702b32b6db0addf8b015e8bf.jpg

Small-small:

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160924/8c2a779beea2bcca5339460d2e5a740a.jpg

I don't plan on even using either these combos, but they seem to work fine.

[oldpotatoe]

Installed everything this morning (Wolftooth Roadlink & XT 11-40 cassette).

Big-big combo:

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160924/70a6f599702b32b6db0addf8b015e8bf.jpg

Small-small:

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160924/8c2a779beea2bcca5339460d2e5a740a.jpg

I don't plan on even using either these combos, but they seem to work fine.

Another example of how small-small sizing 'technique' works....huzzah!!

[Elefantino]

Pining for Six Gap again. Have done it a half dozen times. Was supposed to fly out and meet some of the Jacksonville boys but it didn't work out, injury wise, for me this year.

Say hello to my favorite stretches:

The long, easy climb up Neel's
The descent down Unicoi. We always race down that one. I never lost.
Cresting Hogpen
The last switchback on Wolfpen
The heavenly right turn back to the high school
Pasta!