You are reading a single comment by @gbj_tester and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
London Fixed Gear and Single-Speed is a community of predominantly fixed gear and single-speed cyclists in and around London, UK.
This site is supported almost exclusively by donations. Please consider donating a small amount regularly.
@gbj_tester
It might have been necessary with an old fashioned dérailleur. Old short-cage was designed for racing, typically 10t difference at the front (52/42) and 11t at the back (13-24 6-speed). Modern ones are designed for modern gearing, typically 53/39 and 11-25, so 28t total capacity. Also, it made sense on an OTP touring bike to put a long cage on to cope with the biggest after-market multiple freewheel and smallest inner ring a user might stick on there, even if the stock gearing is a bit sporty.