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Questions and answers about sports

Is this cracked rear derailleur safe to use

5 min read

Asked by: Trina Burden

The safe bet is to just replace it now. If it jams into the rear wheel it might cause you to get hurt. If pedals jammed might cause you to fall then yes in that respect you could get hurt.

Can you ride with a broken derailleur?

A broken derailleur cable can occur without warning, leaving you with two options: Walk home or ride back in the hardest gear. However, there is a third, more desirable, option.

How do you reattach a rear derailleur?

Quote from video: To attach the rear mech back to the frame place the main bolt against the rear mech hanger. And use your five millimeter allen key to turn it clockwise until it bites.

Why do rear derailleurs break?

If your chain is too long, and you are in the ‘small-small’ combination, it is possible for the derailleur to sort of fold up on itself. Flip your bike over and put it in the smallest gear up front and the smallest gear in the rear and make sure the chain isn’t rubbing on the derailleur.

How much does it cost to fix a derailleur?

There can be a range of prices for replacement derailleurs, starting around $20 and going all the way up to $700.

How do you fix a broken derailleur?

Quote from video: Pull the chain out and you're ready to remove the old derailleur. Most railers are fastened on with a hex bolt. So you'll need your allen keys for this most of the time you can reuse your shift cable.

Are rear derailleurs hard to replace?

Believe it or not, it’s not difficult to replace the rear derailleur yourself. Before replacing a “bent derailleur” make sure it’s not just the derailleur hanger! First, remove the idler pulley — that’s the bottom pulley of the derailleur.

How do I know if my rear derailleur is worn out?

Worn Derailleur



All derailleurs wear out at some point. Check for wear by pulling laterally on the lower cage. Compare this movement in the linkage of a new derailleur. Sloppy pivot and linkages will produce inconsistent shifting, and the only solution is a new derailleur.

Why did my derailleur snap?

Wayno said: The reason most derailleurs break is because the hanger snaps forceing it into the wheel snapping spokes and a chain. I would much prefer the stronger hanger so then maybe nothing breaks.

What causes a derailleur to snap?

Some common reasons for it breaking are: Hitting an obstacle (e.g. tree branch) Going into the spokes (badly set low limit screw or the derailleur was wobbling enough for some reason to get caught in the spokes) Chain too short.

Can I use any derailleur for my bike?

A derailleur for your mountain bike should match the specifications on the original derailleur. That is, while it doesn’t need to be the same model of derailleur, it does need to be the same brand, in almost every case. It also needs to match the number of gears, or have more intended.

How do I know what derailleur I need?

If you are replacing an existing derailleur on a bike, simply count the number of cogs on your cassette and you’re good to go. If your drivetrain’s speed is an unknown quantity, you can count the number of steps that your shifter runs through and add ‘one’ to determine the number of gears your drivetrain has.

How do I install a new derailleur?

Quote from video: So if you just kind of swing the tail of the derailleur up high so that bolt clears that tab. Then just take your 5 mil. And start turning it clockwise. The derailleur will thread right on there.

How do I fix my rear bike gears?

Quote from video: The only reason you would need to adjust them is if you've changed wheel cassette different derailleur there are a few of the reasons. Anyway what the limit screw. Does is adjust the upper limit.

How do you fix a broken derailleur hanger?

Quote from video: So either a chain breaker or in my case I've got the quick link on my chain. So for me I'll just be using the quick link removal pliers just the basic set of allen.

Can you remove derailleur from bike?

It can be done. Sometimes it’s wise to not remove the derailer, though, but simply fix it in one position, as protection from the chain jumping off. Then you should attempt some hill climbs – or bike straight into a stiff headwind.

How do you fix a derailleur on a bike?

Quote from video: Pull the chain out and you're ready to remove the old derailleur. Most railers are fastened on with a hex bolt. So you'll need your allen keys for this most of the time you can reuse your shift cable.

Are all derailleurs the same?

No, bike derailleurs are not universal. A derailleur that works with one bike may not work with another bike based on factors such as the cage length. Check the difference between the smallest and largest cogs and also the chainring size to determine the derailleur compatibility.

How long does a rear derailleur last?

Good quality rear derailleur can last between 3 to 5 years, when unbranded or low-quality ones can last for 2 years, no matter what the durability of the rear derailleur the jockey wheel will wear after time and it can be replaced very cheaply with new ones, on the other hand, front derailleur can last almost

How do I know if my rear derailleur is worn out?

Worn Derailleur



All derailleurs wear out at some point. Check for wear by pulling laterally on the lower cage. Compare this movement in the linkage of a new derailleur. Sloppy pivot and linkages will produce inconsistent shifting, and the only solution is a new derailleur.