OneUp Components has introduced a few firsts in the oversized cog game, namely the 16T replacement cog. Now, the RAD Cage boosts derailleur performance at the top end of the cassette without having to reverse or extend your B-Screw.
Made for modern, clutch equipped 10-speed Shimano Deore, SLX, XT or XTR medium cage rear derailleurs, it repositions the upper pulley to improve tooth and chain clearance over 40 and 42 tooth cogs. I installed it on my Niner RIP 9 RDO, which was already running their 40T and 16T cogs. When originally setup with those two parts, I had to bury the B-Screw all the way, which just barely left enough room between the pulley and the largest cog. There was no way OneUp’s (or anyone else’s) 42T cog was fitting in there without more drastic measures. Until the RAD Cage, anyway…
The RAD Cage kit includes the outer cage and a new mounting screw since you’ll use the original to bolt the pulley to its new location.
The big hole in the middle is the original location of the pulley. On the RAD Cage, it’s simply where you’re reattaching the cage to the derailleur. The pulley gets bolted to the smaller threaded hole just behind it (not the one showing silver threads in this pic, the other one that’s showing green threads).
Size is virtually identical, and marks are clearly etched on the outside face so you know where to reinstall the clutch’s tension spring. XTR uses a different hole than SLX and XT.
Before and after shows the pulley slightly higher and rearward. It’s not just improving the position on the big cog, it allows for a bit more chain wrap on the smaller cogs, too.
The only downside? It adds about 11g.
Well, that, and good luck getting this little C-clip back in place. I haven’t had enough trail time on it yet to see if the bolt comes loose, so look for the long term report in the future. Shimano’s known for doubling up on security measures for bolts and parts elsewhere on the bike, so hopefully this is just redundant.
