Deore

http://bike.shimano.com/content/sac-bike/en/home/components11/mountain/deore1/rd-m615-sgs-s.html

11spd

http://bike.shimano.com/content/sac-bike/en/home/components11/mountain/deore-xt-m8000/rd-m8000-gs.html

RANDO'S REAR DERAILLEUR

Deore DX (RD-MT650-GS) (long cage)

[VeloBase info]: Shifting systems: SIS, STI, friction. Originally designed for 7 speed.

[BikePro]: Can be used as both a 6, 7, and 8 speed changer. Weight = 318.5 grams. Early 1990s, and discontinued in 1994.

Maximum rear cog is 32T. Total capacity is 38T.
Rando's current total drivetrain range: Max Chainring Difference X Max Cassette Cog Difference [22 + 17 = 39T]
Current lowest GI (28 X 30 = 25); Possibilities with current derailleur (26 X 30 = 24) (26 X 32 = 22) (28 X 32 = 24)
Low GI possibilities with new derailleur (26 X 34 = 21) (24 X 36 = 18)
Current front derailleur's max ring difference: 26T

MINTY'S REAR DERAILLEUR

Original: Shimano Light Action L525 SS (Short Cage): Disraeli Gears info: Maximum cog: 28 teeth (Sutherland’s 6th edition); Total capacity: 28 teeth (Sutherland’s 6th edition); Pulley centre to centre: 55mm; Index compatibility: 6 speed (Sutherland’s 6th edition says the SS version is SIS compatible); Chain width: 3/32”; Weight: 264g

Tuten's: Shimano Ultegra RD-6500 (Long Cage) [Shimano Tech Doc PDF] [Disraeli Gears] [Cambria]

Info on using it with 32T: You have to adjust what is called the "b" screw in order to rotate the body of the derailleur back enough that the top pulley doesn't ride on the larger cassette sprockets. It isn't the best shifting experience I've ever had, but it works well enough. )
The Shimano Ultegra Rear Derailleur (RD-6600 GS) can handle a maximum 27t cog as the largest size rear cog, at least as stated by Shimano, however I have seen a 28t cog work. The minimum rear cog size is 11t, FYI. Maximum chainwrap capacity is 38t. " An important part of a rear derailleur's job is keeping the chain taut as you change gears. Chain-wrap capacity is a number that tells whether or not a derailleur will be able to do this on the drivetrain you plan to use it on. Calculate chain-wrap capacity with this formula: Chain-wrap capacity = (large chainring - small chainring) + (large rear cog - small rear cog). Example: 53/42 chainrings and a 12-23 cassette: (53 - 42 = 11) + (23 - 12 = 11) = 22-tooth chain-wrap capacity."

Harris Cyclery's favorite derailleur for touring bikes: http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=950

Deore SGS RD-M591 Rear Derailleur SILVER - Model # (RD7592) [9 speed that will work with 7 and 8 speed] $64 ($48 on Amazon)

http://thebikesmiths.com/store/product/-shimano-rdm591s

- 9 speed bicycle derailleur will work on 8 and 7 speed systems.
- Compatible with 28-34T low sprocket
- Maximum Sprocket 34T
- Minimum Sprocket 28T
- Front Difference 22T
- Total Capacity 45T

Shimano Derailleurs

7 Speed

1993: Deore XT RD-M735 SGS (long cage), STI compatible 7speed SIS compatible
1993: Deore DX RD-MT650 SGS (long cage), 7speed STI compatible

8 Speed

1994-1995: Deore RD-M737 SGS (long cage), STI compatible 8 speed SIS compatible,
1996-1998: Deore XT RD-M739 SGS (long cage) , STI compatible 8 speed SIS compatible
1994: Deore XTR RD-M900, 8 speed STI compatible

9 Speed

1999-2005: Deore XT RD-M750 SGS (long cage) , STI compatible 9 speed SIS compatible
2005: Deore XTR RD-M960-SGS (long cage), 9 speed STI compatible
Deore LX RD-M571: 9 spd; Large 34, Small 11, Total 45, Front difference 22
Deore LX: RD-M581

Deore XT

Deore XT M735 1990 6/7-speed
Deore XT M737 1993 8-speed: Max 32T; Tot 33T
Deore XT M739 1995 8-speed: Max 32T; Tot 38T
Deore XT M750 1999 9-speed
Deore XT M760 2003 9-speed
Deore XT M770 2008 9/10-speed
Deore XT M780 2011 10-speed

Shimano hierarchy - mountain bikes

XTR (Shimano’s flagship group — light weight and built for racing)

New Saint (designed for downhill mountain bikes — built to take a beating)

Deore XT (excellent quality — bumping up to XTR is a waste for most people)

SLX (the mid level group that won’t let you down on a ride)

Deore (the cheaper alternative, still trail worthy)

Alivio 9-Speed (the low end of the spectrum — for riding at the park)

Shimano recreational mountain bikes components

Alivio [M410 and M430] (8 and 9 speed)

Acera [M360] (8 and 9 speed)

Altus [M310] (8 speed)

Shimano trekking components

Deore XT

Deore LX

Deore

Deore XT

Deore XT M735 1990 6/7-speed
Deore XT M737 1993 8-speed: Max 32T; Tot 33T
Deore XT M739 1995 8-speed: Max 32T; Tot 38T
Deore XT M750 1999 9-speed
Deore XT M760 2003 9-speed
Deore XT M770 2008 9/10-speed
Deore XT M780 2011 10-speed

Derailleurs

1993: Deore XT RD-M735 SGS (long cage), STI compatible 7speed SIS compatible

1993: Deore DX RD-MT650 SGS (long cage), 7speed STI compatible

1994-1995: Deore RD-M737 SGS (long cage), STI compatible 8 speed SIS compatible,

1996-1998: Deore XT RD-M739 SGS (long cage) , STI compatible 8 speed SIS compatible

1999-2005: Deore XT RD-M750 SGS (long cage) , STI compatible 9 speed SIS compatible

1994: Deore XTR RD-M900, 8 speed STI compatible

2005: Deore XTR RD-M960-SGS (long cage), 9 speed STI compatible

Deore LX RD-M571: 9 spd; Large 34, Small 11, Total 45, Front difference 22

Deore LX: RD-M581

RANDO

Derailleur (rear): Deore DX (RD-MT650) [SGS (long cage) SS (short cage), 7speed STI compatible, Centeron Pulley] [BikePro info: It can be used as both a 6, 7, and 8 speed changer. Maximum rear cog is 32 teeth on the long cage. Total capacity is 38 teeth (super long cage), and 28 teeth (short cage)]

DEORE XT & DX HISTORY 1991-2005

XT 9 speed: 1999-2005

XT 8 speed: 1994-1998

XT 7 speed: 1991-1993

DX 7 speed: 1991-1993

LONG CAGE DERAILLEURS XT

1999- 2005 (9 speed): RD-M750 SGS

1996-1998 (8 speed): RD-M739 SGS

1994-1995 (8 speed): RD-M737 GS

DEORE XT

2005

Rear Derailleur: RD-M760 GS (mid cage) and RD-M750 SGS (long cage) , STI compatible 9 speed SIS compatible, Low Normal type

Free hub: FH-M760 , 8/9 speed compatible, OLD rear 135, 32 or 36 hole rear (available in silver or black), rubber cap for Center Lock, FH-M765 for Center Lock disc brake, 32/36 hole in silver or black

Front hub: HB-M760, 32/36 hole in silver or black , HB-M765 Center Lock for disc brake, 32 or 36 hole in black or silver

Cassette:CS-M760 cassette sprockets, 9 speed Hyperglide, aluminum carrier design, 11/32 or 11/34

Front derailleur: all derailleurs are multi pull (bottom or top pull) FD-M760 or FD-M760 E (E plate style) (top swing) or FD-M761 with down swing mechanism, clamp type derailleurs come with 34.9mm clamp with shims for 31.8mm and 28.6mm seat tubes

2004

Rear Derailleur: RD-M760 GS (mid cage) and RD-M750 SGS (long cage) , STI compatible 9 speed SIS compatible, Low Normal type

Front hub: HB-M760, 32/36 hole in silver or black , HB-M765 Center Lock for disc brake, 32 or 36 hole in black or silver

Cassette:CS-M760 cassette sprockets, 9 speed Hyperglide, aluminum carrier design, 11/32 or 11/34

2003