Focus Paralane: Wolf Tooth Roadlink DM

In the previous post, where I wrote about the full road bike setup on the Focus Paralane, I was still using the Ultegra R8000 11-32T cassette. It is a good cassette with a nice range, when used with a front double crankset. However, with a front single crankset, the gear range is too limited for a broad range of riding conditions.

I had chosen the 40T Stone chain ring to get a good gear range of 34 - 98 gear inches. This makes it well suited to my commuting purposes, but it does mean that the low gear is a bit high for some slopes, such as the steeper ones at Mount Faber or Lorong Sesuai. I'm not a strong rider, so I need all the lower gearing I can get.

While converting the Cervelo Aspero to a front single gravel bike, I realized that the 11-36T Sunrace RX1 cassette is now available, as I have already changed to the 11-42T cassette on the Aspero. This means that I can use the wider range 11-36T cassette on the Paralane, to replace the current 11-32T cassette.

As mentioned, the Sunrace 11-36T cassette has close gear steps of 11T-12T-13T at the top end of the cassette, which is necessary for road riding. If I use this cassette, I will retain the same top gears, but gain one more lower gear, as the 36T sprocket will provide a lower gearing than the current 32T sprocket.

Problem is, the Dura-Ace R9150 Di2 rear derailleur can only be used with 11-30T cassettes, as per recommendations. I was already pushing it beyond the recommended range by using it with the 11-32T cassette. I am quite sure the Dura-Ace rear derailleur cannot be used up to the larger 36T sprocket due to poor shifting performance.

One way is to change to the GRX RD-RX815 Di2 rear derailleur, which is rated up to 34T sprockets. I have also used it with the 11-36T sprocket with no major issues. 

However, I decided to try something different first. I have read about third-party components that can allow your rear derailleur to be used with larger sprockets. They work by positioning your rear derailleur lower down, so that it can reach the larger sprockets. Shifting performance at the smallest sprockets may be affected due to the increased distance from the guide pulley.

Wolf Tooth Roadlink Direct Mount (DM).

Very clear explanation on how it works. Apparently can be used even for 11-42T cassettes!

It is just a longer adapter for the rear derailleur, that will position the rear derailleur lower down.

There are a few different versions of Roadlink or Goatlink, be sure to get the correct type.

Rear side of the Roadlink.

A quick comparison shows that this Roadlink is longer than the stock adapter on the rear derailleur.

The bolt on the rear derailleur needs to be removed, to replace the adapter. A bit similar to converting the rear derailleur from DATT to Direct Mount, but simpler.

Roadlink at the top, Dura-Ace adapter at the bottom.

Different stopper designs, hope it works well!

Roadlink has a hole pitch of over 37 mm...

...while the stock adapter has a hole pitch of just 26 mm. A significant difference.

Roadlink weighs 20 grams...

...while the stock adapter is lighter at just 12 grams.

Dura-Ace rear derailleur with the new Roadlink installed! Looks pretty long.

Weight is slightly increased to 205 grams.

Fits well on the bike. I'm excited to see how well it works with this little modification.

Installation was not difficult, what is unclear is whether this will work well or not. I have to install the 11-36T Sunrace cassette, and see if this modified Dura-Ace rear derailleur can shift properly on that cassette. If it does not work well, my backup plan is to change the rear derailleur to the GRX RD-RX815 that has been proven to work. That will add some weight as the GRX rear derailleur weighs more at 287 grams, although it does come with the clutch mechanism.