Recommendation for rear derailleur replacement for a hybrid bike - Project Sports
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Recommendation for rear derailleur replacement for a hybrid bike

5 min read

Asked by: Samantha Campbell

When should I replace my bike derailleur?

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 should you replace your derailleur?

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 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 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 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 much should a rear derailleur cost?

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.

Do derailleur springs wear out?

That said, derailleur springs will lose tension overtime, and pivots will get sloppier. Shifters can wear out too (if you ride enough), and most cannot be serviced back to health. But before you go sinking money into these more expensive components, best try a new cable/housing or get a second opinion.

What does total capacity mean for rear derailleur?

Rear derailleur Total capacity



It is the maximum amount of chain slack a derailleur can take up or let out, expressed in a number of sprocket teeth. Exceed the total capacity, and your chain will likely be too long or too short for some combinations of gears.

How do I know if my cassette is worn out?


Quote from video: The best and most surefire way to tell is to put a new chain on go and ride it and if it skips you know it was worn out put a new one on and you're good to go.

Can you use any derailleur?

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.

Do all derailleurs fit all hangers?

There are thousands derailleur hanger types (designs) on the market. Every frame manufacturer could have different sos hanger design for each model of frame and different sos hanger for same frame but manufactured on different year.

How do I know if I have a short or long cage derailleur?

Quote from video: So look for those markings on your derailleur. If you can't eyeball it to see if it's long or short again short is SS medium GS long is s GS.

How many miles should a cassette last?

Cassette lifespan can range between 4000 to 10000 miles, and this is affected by the cassette itself and maintenance frequency.

How good is Shimano?

As one of the ‘big three’ drivetrain component manufacturers (the other two being SRAM and Campagnolo), Shimano groupsets and parts are always well-made, usually well-regarded and often well-priced. If you’re looking for the latest news and reviews of Shimano products, this is where you need to look.

When should I replace my gear cassette?

Quote from video: Похожие запросы

Do derailleur springs wear out?

That said, derailleur springs will lose tension overtime, and pivots will get sloppier. Shifters can wear out too (if you ride enough), and most cannot be serviced back to health. But before you go sinking money into these more expensive components, best try a new cable/housing or get a second opinion.

What causes derailleur hanger to break?

Derailleur hanger usually breaks or bends as a result of accidentally derailleur hit to surrounding object when riding, in case of crash or just when trying to align the bent gear hanger.

What does SGS mean derailleur?

Short cage

Shimano MTB rear derailleurs last letters will be GS or SGS, which stand for “Short cage” or SGS for long cage. A XTR rear derailleur will be RD-M970-GS (for short cage) or RD-M970-SGS (for long cage)

How good is Shimano?

As one of the ‘big three’ drivetrain component manufacturers (the other two being SRAM and Campagnolo), Shimano groupsets and parts are always well-made, usually well-regarded and often well-priced. If you’re looking for the latest news and reviews of Shimano products, this is where you need to look.

Which Shimano gear is best?

Shimano Dura-Ace (R9100) Groupset – Top-end mechanical groupset. Used by many Pro Tour teams, and featured as the drivetrain of choice on high end road bikes, Dura-Ace is the pinnacle of the Shimano mechanical gearing and braking arsenal.

What are the levels of Shimano?

Shimano groupsets: different levels explained

  • Claris R2000: 8-speed.
  • Sora R3000: 9-speed.
  • Tiagra 4700: 10-speed.
  • 105 R7000: 11-speed.
  • 105 Di2 R7150: 12-speed electronic only.
  • Ultegra Di2 R8100: 12-speed electronic only.
  • Dura-Ace Di2 R9200: 12-speed electronic only.