Derailleur gears chain slack. Cage length determines the total capacity of the derailleur, that is the size difference between the largest and smallest chainrings, and the size difference between the largest and smallest sprockets on the cogset added together. A larger sum requires a longer cage length. Typical cross country mountain bikes with three front chainrings will use a long cage rear derailleur. A road bike with only two front chainrings and close ratio sprockets can operate with either a short or long cage derailleur, but will work better with a short cage. Manufacturer stated derailleur capacities are as follows: Shimano long
French articles and determiners the English definite article "the", although they are sometimes omitted in English. The French definite article can vary according to the gender (feminine or masculine) and number (singular or plural) of the noun. The definite article takes the following forms: Like "the", the French definite article is used with a noun referring to a specific item when both the speaker and the audience know what the item is. It is necessary in the following cases: Unlike "the", the French definite article is also used with mass nouns and plural nouns with generic interpretation, and with abstract nouns. For example: The