Shimano top normal (traditional) derailleur for MTB/Touring
This is our favorite derailleur for road bikes with a touring cassette. This will handle 32t to 36t low gears and it still looks like a traditional derailleur - not a Transformer.
This is nominally a "9-speed" derailleur. However, we have found that it works with 10 speed cassettes and 10 speed STI road levers without problems.
We've got two bikes with versions of this derailer. Mine is the low normal. My wife's is high normal. Both shift 11-34, 9-speed in back, one SRAM and one Shimano. Mine has 48,36,24 in front. That is 47T capcity, 2 more than advertised, but it works fine! Both setups shift smoothly and reliably, using DiaCompe/Rivendell friction shifters. No problems.
