What Is Shimano Shadow RD? Features and Benefits
What is Shimano’s Shadow RD used in their latest rear derailleurs? This article explains its features and the benefits of choosing Shadow RD.
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In-Depth Guide to Shimano 9-Speed Cassette Compatibility
Modified at: Apr 11, 2025
Posted at: Mar 11, 2024
A comprehensive explanation of two key compatibility factors when using Shimano 9-speed cassettes: the required wheel (freehub) and drivetrain.
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The compatibility of Shimano 9-speed cassettes should be checked from three perspectives:
- Shifting technology
- Compatibility with wheels (freehub body)
- Compatibility with derailleurs
Shifting Technology and Compatibility of Shimano 9-Speed Cassettes
Shimano 9-speed cassettes are available in two shifting technologies:
While the names are similar, these two technologies are not compatible with each other.
Therefore, you should first check which technology your bike’s components use.
It’s easy to tell:
If your bike has CUES 9s components, it uses LINKGLIDE.
Otherwise, it uses HYPERGLIDE.
| 9-Speed Components | HYPERGLIDE | LINKGLIDE |
|---|---|---|
| CUES 9s | - | ◎ |
| Road-oriented 9-speed (e.g., “SORA”) | ◎ | - |
| MTB-oriented 9-speed (e.g., “ALTUS”, excluding CUES) | ◎ | - |
For more details on the different types and features of Shimano 9-speed cassettes, including tooth combinations, see the article below:
Types and Differences of Shimano 9-Speed Sprockets
The 9-speed sprocket is used in Shimano's SORA compo for road bikes and ALIVIO compo for MTB. In this article, we summarize the types and differences of 9-speed sprockets.
Compatibility with Derailleurs
The compatibility of Shimano 9-speed cassettes with derailleurs is confirmed from two perspectives:
- Shifting technology
- Compatible gear range and capacity
As mentioned earlier, shifting technology is simply a matter of checking whether it’s HYPERGLIDE or LINKGLIDE. However, compatible gear range and capacity need more attention, as there are different sub-models for the same derailleur model depending on the gear range.
What are Shimano's SS and GS rear derailleurs?
The "SS" and "GS" indications on Shimano's rear derailleur model numbers. We will explain the difference between them, how to distinguish between them, and which one to choose, including compatibility.
HYPERGLIDE Series
The Shimano HYPERGLIDE technology 9-speed rear derailleurs in the current lineup are the following four models:
| Model | Cage | Low Gear | Top Gear | Total Capacity | Max Front Gear Teeth Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RD-R3000-SS3 | SS (Short Cage) | 25-32T | 11-14T | 37T | 16T |
| RD-R3000-GS4 | GS (Medium Cage) | 28-34T | 11-14T | 43T | 20T |
| RD-M3000-SGS5 | SGS (Long Cage) | 32-34T | 11-12T | - | 22T |
| RD-M3100-SGS6 | SGS (Long Cage) | 32-36T | 11-12T | 45T | 22T |
For road bikes, the short cage RD-R3000-SS is commonly used with SORA. However, if using a cassette with 11-34T or higher, a swap to RD-R3000-GS is necessary.
The RD-M3000-SGS for MTB has a maximum low range of 32T or 34T, so it is not compatible with road-oriented 9-speed cassettes like 11-28T.
The RD-M3100-SGS is an ALIVIO 9-speed rear derailleur, also with an SGS (Long Cage), but with an extended max low range of 36T.
LINKGLIDE Series
The Shimano LINKGLIDE technology 9-speed rear derailleurs in the current lineup are as follows:
| Model | Cage | Low Gear | Top Gear | Total Capacity | Max Front Gear Teeth Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RD-U40007 | - | 41-46T | 11T | 35T | 0T |
| RD-U40208 | - | 36T | 11T | 41T | 16T |
| RD-U30209 | - | 36T | 11T | 41T | 16T |
All of these are CUES 9s rear derailleurs, but be aware of the slight differences between each model.
- RD-U4000 is for front single setups only.
- RD-U4020 and RD-U3020 are for front double setups and only support rear gears in the 11-36T range.
- While RD-U4020 and RD-U3020 have identical specs, RD-U4020 is optimized for e-bikes.