Sunrace 11-46 10 speed cassette with SRAM GX derailleur

[misailor28]

Will a Sunrace 11-46 10 speed cassette work with an SRAM GX 10 speed long cage rear derailleur.

I have a 2017 Specialized Camber 650b. The original spec is a 30 tooth chain ring with a Sunrace 11-42 cassette and SRAM GX derailleur. Ian wondering if I can switch to the 11-46 cassette to get a little more low end.

I have tried searching and see a lot of threads regarding Shimano derailleurs but can’t seem to find much regarding the SRAM 10 speeds.

Thanks

[JMac47]

Will a Sunrace 11-46 10 speed cassette work with an SRAM GX 10 speed long cage rear derailleur.

I have a 2017 Specialized Camber 650b. The original spec is a 30 tooth chain ring with a Sunrace 11-42 cassette and SRAM GX derailleur. Ian wondering if I can switch to the 11-46 cassette to get a little more low end.

I have tried searching and see a lot of threads regarding Shimano derailleurs but can’t seem to find much regarding the SRAM 10 speeds.

Thanks

Did you make cassette switch yet?

[misailor28]

Functionally it works using the 20mm derailleur spacer that came with the cassette to get the derailleur lower to clear the 46 tooth. The shift quality is a bit worse around the mid to high range gears. I think this is because the derailleur gets farther away from those gears due to the spacer. This is the first time i’ve ever tried to adjust a rear derailleur. I set it up by disconnecting the cable to set the high gear end point. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to adjust the tension to get the best compromise from there. I think the 11 speed derailleur that’s designed around a larger cog range to begin with and i’ve read doesn’t need the spacer will probably work better. I plan to try that in a couple weeks. At that point since the 11 speed 11-46 cassette doesn’t cost much more then the 10 speed, so when I need to replace the chain and cassette at the same time I will probably switch it to an 11 speed since the shifter will be the only extra needed item.

[JMac47]

Yeah I think the 11 spd der works with 10 spd shifter. Similar to using 11 xt der with 10 spd shifter.

[misailor28]

The 11 and 10 speed rear derailleurs have the same cable pull ratios so will work with a 10 speed shifter.

Another thing about the installation. When I released the cable from the derailleur and reattached after setting the new high point, there is now a small chunk of smooshed cable that used to be pinched in the fastener in line between the attachment screw and cable exit. I think this is adding elasticity to the system because it’s not stretched out. Shifting into the highest gear is rough because the cable tension is lowest and the smooshed cable starts returning to it’s linked smooshed state. I would replace the cable when doing this change if doing it again. I’ll be putting a new cable in when I change derailleurs.