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Probably over-thinking this, but hopefully someone can help me get my head straight...
My XTC is currently 2x10, but suffers horrendously from chainsuck when conditions get crappy. I was 1x-sceptic until I bought another hardtail with Eagle and now I'm a darn sight less sceptical, and I think converting the XTC might deal with the chainsuck issue better than anything else could.
I'm currently 2x10 with 24/36 at the front and 11-36 at the back. I'm happy, ratios-wise that I'm not losing much by going 32 front and probably a Sunrace 11-46 on the rear. Questions are: (and while similar has been asked on here I couldn't find a definitive answer):
a) will the current long-cage 10-speed mech cover it, or would I be better off getting an 11-speed mech? And if so
b) with an 11-speed mech, would I need to run an 11-speed chain?
Cheers
Regardless of cage length - your gonna need a clutch mech.
I am not sure wwhether 10 and 11 speed are compatible, but from experience the older Deore 10 speed clutch mech works brilliantly and is cheap!
I've got a clutch on there - XT M786, I think - and haven't been convinced of the efficacy so far. Maybe because it's 2x at the moment.
The 10 speed mech will work but it can struggle with shifting onto the bigger sprockets. You might get away with tightening the B screw, if not then a goat link (or eBay copy) helps. An 11 speed mech is better imo as it has the cage pivot off centre, but worth trying what you have first. No need for an 11 speed chain.
If the mech is a clutch mech it’ll be fine, but as above you’ll need to run something like a goat link to get it to work well with the 46 tooth cog. I got one of these: https://www.merlincycles.com/sunrace-rear-derailleur-extender-link-134836.html?utm_source=PHG&utm_medium=AffiliateMarketing&utm_campaign=phg-GB&ucpo=66524&source=PHG
and it works perfectly.
You should buy the M5120 Mech if you are looking for a rear derailleur in 10 speed flavour that has the capacity to comfortably accept 46t. I have had one on my bike for a few weeks now and the clutch and shifting works a treat.
I have the same mech as you and happily running a 11-42 Sunrace cassette without any add-ons.
Can’t comment on a 46T though