Upgraded cassette to 11-46t. Now derailleur is too short

[MadWes]

I have just upgraded the 10 speed cassette on my 2019 Focus Bold2 from 11-40 to 11-46. Reason being that the old cassette was worn out and needed to be changed, and the only 10-speed cassette I could get my hands on was the 11-46.

Problem is now that the derailleur is too short and that pulley wheel cannot fit under the 46t sprocket.

I have tried to google for a solution and have come across Wolfteeth Goatlink and long cage derailleurs, but I am not really sure if any of these options will work.

It seems that there already is some kind of extender between the frame and the derailleur, on the Focus Bold2 (see attached photos). This is possibly to make the derailleur capable of accommodating the original 11-40 cassette.

Question is: Will Goatlink make it possible to use my existing Shimano Deore XT derailleur?

The other option - a long cage derailleur also seems to be tricky. I have been looking at the specs for all the Shimano Deore XT derailleurs I have been able to find, and none of these seem to be able to handle more that 42t on the largest rear sprocket.

Question here is: Does Shimano market a 10 speed derailleur that is capable of handling 46t? If yes, which one?

Tnx. in advance

Mads

 

[RustyMTB]

If I understand you correctly, your issue is that the upper jockey wheel fouls the teeth of the cassette? Before you go spending money, have you tried adjusting the B screw?

 

[Mikerb]

If I understand you correctly, your issue is that the upper jockey wheel fouls the teeth of the cassette? Before you go spending money, have you tried adjusting the B screw?

....or set your limit screw so the mech cannot access the 46t sprocket.

 

[TR5_20]

I have just upgraded the 10 speed cassette on my 2019 Focus Bold2 from 11-40 to 11-46. Reason being that the old cassette was worn out and needed to be changed, and the only 10-speed cassette I could get my hands on was the 11-46.

Problem is now that the derailleur is too short and that pulley wheel cannot fit under the 46t sprocket.

I have tried to google for a solution and have come across Wolfteeth Goatlink and long cage derailleurs, but I am not really sure if any of these options will work.

It seems that there already is some kind of extender between the frame and the derailleur, on the Focus Bold2 (see attached photos). This is possibly to make the derailleur capable of accommodating the original 11-40 cassette.

Question is: Will Goatlink make it possible to use my existing Shimano Deore XT derailleur?

The other option - a long cage derailleur also seems to be tricky. I have been looking at the specs for all the Shimano Deore XT derailleurs I have been able to find, and none of these seem to be able to handle more that 42t on the largest rear sprocket.

Question here is: Does Shimano market a 10 speed derailleur that is capable of handling 46t? If yes, which one?

Tnx. in advance

Mads

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I recently fitted a Deore derailleur to suit my 11-46 cassette. Works fine.
It says RD-M5120-SGS on the box.
Hope that helps.

 

[MadWes]

Yes @RustyMTB - B-screw is all the way in and the chains is still pinched between the jockey wheel and the 46t sprocket.

 

[RustyMTB]

Yes @RustyMTB - B-screw is all the way in and the chains is still pinched between the jockey wheel and the 46t sprocket.

OK, always worth checking the zero cost option first. I guess you want to use the full range of your cassette because why wouldn't you? so the options are fit a different derailleur or an extender like the Wolftooth. I've never used one but here's a guy who found himself in your position. It worked for him.

 

[Maxb]

SunRace Rear Derailleur Extender Link | Merlin Cycles

Buy your SunRace Rear Derailleur Extender Link at Merlin. Free worldwide delivery available on most items!

www.google.com

This will work I have used to get the required clearance for the jockey wheel on a 46t cassette

 

[pampmyride]

"Burton Bikes Rear Derailleur Mech Hanger Extender, 8 colours" search ebay for that. Did the job on a similar set - up . cheap enough to try out.

 

[Philly G]

@MadWes I can confirm the Wolftooth Goat Link will do the job perfectly. I made this exact mod on my accoustic bike, worked beautifully. I think Wolftooth sell longer b-screws as well, but you probably won't need one, I didn't

 

[Fangs2k]

I’ve used one of these on a couple of bikes now where I’ve converted them to a 1 x 9 or 10 system and a wider range rear cassette.

if you search for ‘SunRace Unisex's Extended Link Derailleur Accessory, Black, 2.25cm’ on Amazon, you should find it.

Only a tenner but work well.

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

You didn’t post a photo of the derailleur arm and tension pulley on the second to lowest gear position, so might pay to double check that your chain might now be too short (instead of the derailleur arm)?

 

[MadWes]

UPDATE: I ended up choosing to install a Shimano RD-M5120-SGS derailleur. It does the job and is working like a dream. The gear distribution on the new 11-46 cassette feels much more harmonic and balanced than the old 11-40 cassette that I took off the bike.

As an added bonus it was the first time I exchanged cassette and derailleur without any assistance. It feels like a bit of a victory.

Thanks to everybody who contributed with advice on a solution. It is greatly appreciated.

 

[Manc44]

Here's a calc I made for just such a thing, it tells you the mm increase or decrease when changing tooth count, for sprockets or chainrings. It can be handy if you have a bottle cage bolt low down near your front mech clamp and want to see if a bigger chainring can fit.

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

There's 2 files but they are the same thing, one's for old Excel the other for newer.

 

[All4Fun]

The Shimano XT short cage has a capacity of 35 tooth, that should work on a 11-46, i'll drive this combo myself.

 

[Mr Chris]

SunRace Rear Derailleur Extender Link | Merlin Cycles

Buy your SunRace Rear Derailleur Extender Link at Merlin. Free worldwide delivery available on most items!

www.google.com

This will work I have used to get the required clearance for the jockey wheel on a 46t cassette

Max
do you have an 11-46 at the back and a double at the front or a single.

 

[Maxb]

Max
do you have an 11-46 at the back and a double at the front or a single.

Single ring at the front

 

[Mr Chris]

Single ring at the front

i have a double and a doer SLX with a long cage. it doesn't like my 11-46!

 

[gaz_moose]

my 10 speed setup is,
Saint shifter
XT M8000 GS 11 speed derailleur
11-46 deore cassette.
116 link chain.
i did run it with a 11-48 Advent 10 speed cassette and it indexed fine but the cassette was faulty so i slapped the deore on.

i did try a SGS 11 speed derailleur with the 11-48 but the B tension gap was about 20mm with the screw removed.

 

[doochenozzle]

An old one-up rad cage might work here but sounds like you’re sorted.