Rear derailer broken
5 min read
Asked by: Lindsay Desai
Can a rear derailleur be fixed?
Some problems can be repaired trailside while others require parts and tools most riders don’t commonly carry. Your bike’s drivetrain is really a simple system, and if you know what to look for, you can easily repair your derailleur yourself.
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.
What causes a rear derailleur hanger to break?
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.
How much does it cost to replace a rear derailleur?
If you take your MTB into a local bike shop the average price to replace a rear derailleur is going to be $110. If you DIY replacing a derailleur will cost about $50 (plus your time) This price will depend a lot on the actual derailleur needed. Usually a bike shop will also take care of other problems.
How do I know if my derailleur is damaged?
Quote from video: The key is to look at the rear derailleur we can see it's bent slightly inward. And also look at the guide pulley which doesn't seem to line up with the chain or cog above.
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 long do rear derailleurs 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 often do derailleurs need to be replaced?
Once the chain wears “or stretches”, it starts wearing the cogs and you pretty much need to replace both to get shifting working again. If it’s been 6 months and you’ve been riding much at all, you should have replaced the chain at least once.
How many miles do derailleurs last?
Derailleurs will last almost indefinitely. The jockey wheels will wear out in time (tens of thousands of km) but the rest of the mechanism shouldn’t see significant wear. It could be that the spring will break at some point due to material fatigue, but that is also a relatively easy to replace part on most derailleurs.
How much does a derailleur hanger cost?
The typical price of a derailleur hanger varies, but budget for around $30 usd.
Can you ride with a bent derailleur hanger?
Can I ride with a bent derailleur hanger? You can certainly ride your bike with a bent hanger, but shifting will be suboptimal and there is a risk of further damage to the bike.
Why is my derailleur hitting my frame?
The only time a derailleur will hit a frame is if the lower limit screw allows it to swing too far inboard. By releasing the cable and re-setting the shift lever to match the small ring setting, then setting the limit it swings towards the frame, you’re effectively neutralising any previous bad adjustment.
How do I know if I need a new rear derailleur?
If there’s play, get a new one. Also, drip some Tri-Flow or something into all the pivots. If it’s really dirty and sticky, it’ll have a harder time with the shift you describe. If with clean, lubricated pivots the derailleur still won’t move well, you probably need a new one.
How is a derailleur diagnosed?
Quote from video: All derailleur is wear out at some point check this by pulling laterally on the lower Kage compare this movement with the new derailleur.
How do you fix a 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.
How do I fix the rear derailleur on my bike?
Quote from video: It's likely being stopped either by the limit screw or the shift position first turn the H limit screw counterclockwise a few turns pedal.
What do you do with a broken derailleur?
Quote from video: Probably find the nearest rubbish. But if the derailleur is still okay and you've just broken the hanger then set that aside stuff with your pocket.
Do rear derailleurs wear out?
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.
How do you refurbish a rear derailleur?
Quote from video: Completely seized up will start very simply by giving it a thorough click using like a soluble degreaser that basically is just going to make it more pleasant to work on if nothing.
How many miles do derailleurs last?
Derailleurs will last almost indefinitely. The jockey wheels will wear out in time (tens of thousands of km) but the rest of the mechanism shouldn’t see significant wear. It could be that the spring will break at some point due to material fatigue, but that is also a relatively easy to replace part on most derailleurs.
How often do derailleurs need to be replaced?
Once the chain wears “or stretches”, it starts wearing the cogs and you pretty much need to replace both to get shifting working again. If it’s been 6 months and you’ve been riding much at all, you should have replaced the chain at least once.