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Shift lever and rear derailleur compatibility

5 min read

Asked by: Ricky Wright

Can you mix Shimano shifters and derailleurs?

Shimano derailleur compatibility



Most 8- and 9-speed Shimano mountain bike and road kit is inter-compatible because they both use the same cable pull ratio. This means that you can use an 8 -or 9-speed mountain bike derailleur with road shifters or vice versa.

Will any shifter work with any derailleur?

No, different maker or different model with different number of “speed” shifters have different pull ratio (i.e. the length of cable pulled by a single shift). Usually it’s safe to use different model with same number of gears from the same maker.

Can you mix shifters and derailleurs?

In many instances, it is possible to mix different levels of shifters and derailleurs from the same brand (e.g. Dura-Ace/Ultegra/105; Red/Force/Rival; Super Record/Record/Chorus), however it’s not safe to assume that this will always be the case.

Can I use a SRAM shifter with a Shimano derailleur?

The SRAM rear derailleur (mech) will not work with a Shimano shifter as is; the cable pull and shift activation ratios are not the same between the two systems.

Can you mix and match Shimano components?

It is possible to mix and match as long as you get components from the same generation. For example: 9000 Dura Ace, 6800 Ultegra, and 5800 105 are all cross compatible. Each have 11-speeds in the rear, use the same cable pull per shift and use the same front derailleur design.

Can I use an 11 speed derailleur on a 10 speed shifter?

No, that will not work. The shifts will not line up across the entire range, because an 11-speed cassette is not just a 10-speed cassette with an extra cog stuck on at the same spacing.

Do all derailleurs fit all bikes?

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.

Are all Shimano road shifters compatible?

Basically all 9 speed and below Shimano MTB derailleurs will work on all Shimano Road shifters. There is an exception for some of the older 7900 Dura Ace shifters which had a different pull ratio and also one of the Shimano levers with hydraulic brake lines.

Will a 9 speed shifter work on a 7 speed cassette?

If you used a 7 speed cassette, with a 9 speed shifter and 7 speed derailleur you would not pull enough cable and the shifts will get mangled. If you are currently on 7 Speeds, this means you have a 7 speed wheel that will most likely NOT take a 9 speed cassette.

Can I use 105 shifters with Ultegra derailleur?

The parts of DURA-ACE, ULTEGRA and 105 are compatible with each other as long as they have the same number of gears.

Can you use a 12 speed derailleur on 11 speed cassette?

So you can’t use a 12 speed derailleur on an 11 speed setup or vice versa but you can you an xtr 12/11 speed shifter on an 11 speed drivetrain.

Can you use a 7 speed derailleur on a 8 speed cassette?

yes it will work.

Can I use a MTB derailleur on a road bike?

For example, if the bike has a 10-speed cassette and road shifters, it will be compatible with an MTB derailleur that has the rear shift ratio of a 10-speed road derailleur.

Can I use a 105 cassette with tiagra?

If you go for Tiagra you can’t upgrade to 105 one component at a time because 10-speed and 11-speed drivetrain components aren’t interchangeable. You’d have to upgrade most of the groupset components at once for optimum performance.

Are Shimano 11 and 12 speed compatibility?


Quote from video: Похожие запросы

Can you use a Microshift derailleur with a Shimano shifter?

Yes, it has to. If the shift ratio is the same it will work both ways. Microshift also make grip-shifters.

Can I use MTB shifter on road bike front derailleur?

The pull ratio for a road front derailleur is different than the pull ratio for a mountain front derailleur. So using an index front shifter (like triggers) for a mountain bike does not work well with a road bike front derailleur.

Can you use a 12 speed derailleur on 11 speed cassette?

So you can’t use a 12 speed derailleur on an 11 speed setup or vice versa but you can you an xtr 12/11 speed shifter on an 11 speed drivetrain.

Can you change gear shifters on a bike?

There are several types of shifters, but they all operate on this same principle. Although reasonably durable, shifters do eventually wear out. Replacing them is not difficult if you are comfortable with basic hand tools and mechanical concepts.

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 do I install a new bike shifter?

Quote from video: Back on the handlebar as well get it into position you're comfortable with and tighten up the allen key again must be reasonably tight don't over tighten it never know how good the grub screws off.