Short vs medium cage derailleurs?

[Carbon_Kiwi]

hey guys,
i'm looking at a new sram x.o derailleur in the not too distant future. i currently have a medium, but am thinking of a short - but of course i was wondering what the advantages/disadvantages are.
can anyone shed some light on this for me?
thanks in advance  

[jeffhop]

i would stick with a medium cage as the short cage isnt really meant for a triple ring set up especially if combined with a 32 or 34 ring casette. i must admit i really like sram gear ive got it on my k2 (esp 9sl) xpx (esp 9sl) and my recently aqquired giant nrs (x-9) but i would never in a million years buy the x-0 unless i won the lottery, i managed to rip the rear mech off the giant last week but i managed to straighten the cage not sure if i could have done that with an x-0. i think the x-9 is a cracking bit of kit, the shifting is flawless and very crisp.

[Simon]

Stay with medium,
can't see any advantage of short cage unless
your a full on Dher,
checkout new XC/All mountain etc bikes
don't see any specced with short cage,

like the X,O's though very nice  [smiley=nod.gif]

hang on I'd like one of those  

Simon.

[Thunderchild]

I use a short cage(old DX).  Advantages:  chain loop is higher off the ground and less likely to catch sticks(Not scienticially nor statistically studied).  This was a problem when I lived in Oregon riding through clear cut sections of forest.  We actually named one trail Derailleur Dues. Otherwise, Less chain. I have one on my Oz with no problems.  

Thunderchild  

[proflex252]

If you want to have a wider spread in your gears you will wvwn have to take long cages.

I run a 11 - 34 XTR Cassette on the rear and a 98 XTR crank on the front (24 - 34 - 46).
This is only possible with a long cage.

If you have a 32 or a 30 on the inner ring you can run a medium and if you run a roadbike cassette you can use a short one.

[Thunderchild]

Gear range is an issue.  I should have posted mine with my last reply.  I use a DX short cage with the following:  I am still running an 8-speed rear cassette.  Up front I have a 5-arm crank with a 20-32-44 and in the rear, a 11-32 cassette.  

Yamabiker

[Carbon_Kiwi]

thanks for all the excellent feedback - i'll stick with a medium cage!