Road cassette on MTB, which mech ?

[jimihendrix]

I'm wanting to use an 8 speed road cassette on my Clockwork build, someone mentioned on here that they look neater than the usual MTB 11-32/34 spread (i kind of agree) and on a 22 lb bike i think that a big spread of gears is a bit unnecessary anyway so i was thinking of using a 12 - 23 cassette.

Main questions i have is on rear mechs and the diferences between short and long cage, am i right in thinking a long cage has a bigger range than a short cage ?, with a 12 - 23 could i use a short cage ?, are short cage mechs harder to keep in tune than long cage, would there be anything wrong with using a road rear mech ? does it really matter what speed a rear mech is ?, would a 9 speed work ok on an 8 speed cassette.

Finally what the eck is rapid rise ?

 

[DeletedUser006]

Short cage will be fine for 12/23, If you are going off road then 11 / 28 is my fav you get a better spread.

Rapid rise is new style where the mech will naturally rise than fall, ie cable snap on a rapid rise you will be pedalling like mad

Cheers

 

[Dhphat]

A lot of it comes down to what the difference between your big and little ring up front is. The main purpose of a long cage deraileur is to eat up slack chain when you are in your little. I'd try a Mid cage myself.