Rear Mech and Cassette Compatibility

[Thorpie]

I am not very knowledgeable about such things so can anyone help?

I am currently looking for a rear XTR mech for an 8 speed XTR 12-32t cassette. Most of my drivetrain is the M950 series XTR kit and it would be nice to get a M950 mech to match. I am watching a NOS M950 8 speed one at the moment but the seller says it is long cage and in his'shop' experience would only work for cassettes with a maximum 30t. If it is long cage will it work with a 32t sprocket, if not what does work with this paticular M950 Cassette? Do I need to look at another mech or do I buy the mech and look for a 11-30 XTR cassette?
Please help, the auction ends tonight!

Trevor.

 

[cchris2lou]

if rear mech is long cage , it will work with your cassette .

 

[one-eyed_jim]

Standard XTR 8-speed cassettes were 12-28 and 12-32, so all 8-speed XTR rear mechs should handle at least a 32t big sprocket. I've certainly never had any problems with a 951 GS and 32/33/34t sprockets.

The cage length doesn't affect the max. sprocket you can use, but it does determine the total amount of chain slack the mech will take up, i.e. the difference between small-small and big-big.