Upgrading again (f+r derailleurs this time)

[bikingmat81]

So, since this worked well when I was needing help with bottom bracket and crankset upgrading questions, I thought I would try it again.

I'm currently up-grading my 02 Specialized Rockhopper to be my main bike for this summer (sold my full-suspension). http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?arc=2005&spid=20860

I already did shifters last year(Shimano LX), and have purchased crankset/bb (Race Face Evolve XC with X-type external bb), and am in the process of finding a new XT 11-32 cassette (m760) and chain. I'm wanting to go to full Shimano XT componets, but I'm not sure which derailleurs to go with. So here are my questions:

Rear: (currently Shimano Deore LX)
Do I need the Long cage (GS) or super-long cage (SGS), or does it matter?


Front: (currently Shimano Deore, 34.9mm clamp, bottom pull)
Am I looking for a 'Dual Pull' to replace this?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Retro Grouch]

You need an SGS rear derailleur. The only thing that the long cage does is to take up the additional chain slack that a triple front crankset generates. You can "cheat" a little with a road bike because you only use the granny with the biggest couple of rear cogs but, if you're doing real mountain biking, you use the granny a lot more and with more of the cassette cogs. There's no real world drawback to using the long cage derailleur.

You'll need either a bottom pull or a dual pull front derailleur. The alternative would be to change the cable routing and that's WAY more trouble than it's worth.

Uh - if you'd be interested in stepping up to an XTR front derailleur (NOS), what do you have for tradeing stock? I'd be real hot for a moderately used pair of 747 pedals or a pair of old style Ultegra SPD pedals.

 

[bikingmat81]

You need an SGS rear derailleur. The only thing that the long cage does is to take up the additional chain slack that a triple front crankset generates. You can "cheat" a little with a road bike because you only use the granny with the biggest couple of rear cogs but, if you're doing real mountain biking, you use the granny a lot more and with more of the cassette cogs. There's no real world drawback to using the long cage derailleur.

You'll need either a bottom pull or a dual pull front derailleur. The alternative would be to change the cable routing and that's WAY more trouble than it's worth.

Uh - if you'd be interested in stepping up to an XTR front derailleur (NOS), what do you have for tradeing stock? I'd be real hot for a moderately used pair of 747 pedals or a pair of old style Ultegra SPD pedals.

So, if I went with the RD-M751/M760-SGS rear and FD-M761 (type-6/Down Swing FD (66-69º) for 44T top) I would be fine?

I'm not a road biker, this is a mountain bike, and I do tend to over-use my granny some rides.

As for trading stock, I got nothing. I'm so far away from the LBS that most of my up-grades are internet purchased, hence the reason I like this forum for checking compatability before buying.

 

[bikingmat81]

is there any other factors that I'm not considering with this upgrade??

I'm ready to buy (online source), but want to make sure. thanks