Short cage derailler

[andymeek]

Can anyone tell me is it possible to replace my 105 derailler for a short cage without having to change anything else?

[Joe_W]

Depends on your setup. Look at the tech docs on Shimano's homepage for what is called the "capacity" of the derailleur: the difference of teeth of chainring and sprockets between the extreme gears (small-small and large-large). If that is ok, go ahead.

[cyclerUK]

As Joe says, What is your setup.
Triple or double chainset will determine the cage length.
A double usually requires a short cage whereas a triple normally needs a long or mid' cage.

[pja6709]

Hi cyclerUK, I am looking at upgrading my rear derailleur to a shimano SL ultegra 6600 and I had no idea what short cage, long or medium meant or what I should buy, so thank you for solving that problem for me. I wonder could you tell me what the "SL" represents and which would be the better option, The SL version or the normal 6600.
Cheers,and thanks for your help.

[trevgbb]

This is Shimano's EU site, I have always found everything I need to know on here, takes a bit of searching, mind you!
http://cycle.shimano-eu.com/
for instance, under tech docs for 105 RD is 2 links, one gives you this pdf:
http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techdocs/content/cycle/EV/bikecomponents/RD/EV-RD-5500-1736_v1_m56577569830609118.pdf
and the other gives you this pdf:
http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techdocs/content/cycle/SI/105/RD-5500-5501/SI-5TK0D-En_v1_m56577569830603908.pdf
as you can see, you need to open both to get all the info.

[cyclerUK]

(09-29-2010, 07:23 AM)pja6709 Wrote:  Hi cyclerUK, I am looking at upgrading my rear derailleur to a shimano SL ultegra 6600 and I had no idea what short cage, long or medium meant or what I should buy, so thank you for solving that problem for me. I wonder could you tell me what the "SL" represents and which would be the better option, The SL version or the normal 6600.
Cheers,and thanks for your help.

Hi PJA,
Sorry but I don't know what SL stands for. It may just be the colour. Sometimes Shimano give colour options and SL may be silver. ??
Here's the Shimano tech' doc's for the 6600:-
http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techdocs/content/cycle/EV/bikecomponents/RD/EV-RD-6600-2358A_v1_m56577569830621055.pdf

http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techdocs/content/cycle/SI/SI_5VG0C_001/SI_5VG0C_001_En_v1_m56577569830616226.pdf

[pja6709]

Thanks very much for your assistance, I'll check out the shimano site. With cycling components there are just so many different models and options it can be hard making the right decision. I usually use price as a pointer for quality, though I am becoming familiar with most shimano gear. However all the acronyms are mystery to me.
Cheers and thanks again.

[RobAR]

If 'SL' or 'BK' appear in print in a catalog or elsewhere as a suffix to the model, as in RD-M6600 SL, SL and BK would designate the part as Silver or Black. These will not be cast into the part itself. I've never seen SL appear as a prefix to a part number, although some distributors may use that system. Neither is more durable than the other performance-wise.