Derailleur capacity - quick question

Paul Boyd said:

Just a quick question - when manufacturers quote derailleur capacity,
am I right in thinking that this is calculated as front difference +
rear difference? So a 36/22 front and 11-32 rear would require a
derailleur with a 35T capacity?

That's right (for rear derailleurs)

....but....
"Competent riders can considerably exceed the official rated capacity,
since they will not misuse the granny ring by running it with the smaller
rear sprockets, so it doesn't matter if the chain hangs slack in those
gears."
- http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ca-g.html

~PB

On 23/10/2006 21:20, Pete Biggs said,

Quoted message said:

That's right (for rear derailleurs)

...but....
"Competent riders can considerably exceed the official rated capacity,
since they will not misuse the granny ring by running it with the smaller
rear sprockets, so it doesn't matter if the chain hangs slack in those
gears."
- http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ca-g.html

Thanks for that. I should have looked at Sheldon's site! I feel pretty
safe now in going for a 33T capacity rear mech - the current long cage
looks more than a bit vulnerable on my MTB.

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/