While I was looking into buying an 11 speed derailleur and cassette, I realised there could be another possible reason for me being unable to set up the 12 speed properly. I had wanted to go to a 45T cassette but had bought a medium cage derailleur. It wasn’t until I had to make a choice for the 11 speed derailleur that I looked into how the difference in tooth size had a bearing on the length of cage.. I should have known this as I had experienced problems a few years ago when I fitted a short cage to a previous bike and had to limit the size of the cassette. Pity this came back to me after I had gone through all the trouble trying to get the 12 speed set up!

If the thumb shifter doesn’t work out I’ll have to choose between three different set-ups. ten, eleven or twelve speeds. Using the components I have available, ten and twelve will have a largest tooth size of 34-36 whereas the eleven speed can go up to 51 teeth. It’s just a case of working out what I need. I think I’ve spent enough and don’t know how much of the money I have paid out I can recoup, so I’m not going to look at any further possibilities (although there are some!).