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How to ensure the compatibility of the rear derailleur?

by Martin Yang 26 Sep 2024
How to ensure the compatibility of the rear derailleur?

Introduction

Your riding experience in cycling is much influenced by the smoothness of shifting. Have you ever run across problems when shifting? This usually relates to the rear derailleur's fit. Some parts may operate perfectly together while others show poor performance together. This post will explore ways to guarantee a precise fit between the rear derailleur and the shifters so you can help to avoid these problems. We will go over some fundamental ideas and provide doable advice to help your ride be more seamless. All right. Let's work through these compatibility concerns together!

 

Basic Terms and Considerations

Some fundamental concepts and ideas help one to appreciate the compatibility of rear derailleurs. "Cable pull," a key idea, is the length of cable that, with each shifter click, can be pulled or released. This length determines shifting's smoothness directly.

Still another important concept is "derailleur ratio." This ratio shows, from one millimeter of cable pulled or released, how much the rear derailleur travels left or right. For a 1-millimeter cable movement, for instance, the derailleur travels 1.7 millimeters, therefore defining a ratio of 1.7. Knowing this ratio helps one to choose the ideal mix between shifter and derailleur.

Another element not to be disregarded is the rear-cogged spacing. Although it has no direct bearing on compatibility, proper cog spacing helps to avoid problems, including skipping gears during shifting. Using the right wires and housing is equally crucial; inferior cables or housing could cause shifting issues. Natural improvement of your riding experience will come from ensuring all components are in perfect shape.

 

Shimano Compatibility

Regarding rear derailleur compatibility, Shimano is definitely a well-known manufacturer. It provides a range of derailleurs at several speeds, and knowing their compatibility will help you choose components without running across problems.

Shimano boasts a ratio of 1.7 for 6, 7, 8, and 9-speed derailleurs. The derailleur thus moves 1.7 millimeters whether one millimeter of cable is pressed or released. These derailleurs, for road bikes or mountain bikes, can exactly match the related 6 to 9-speed shifters. Though the Tiagra 4700 series is an exception, they are nevertheless compatible with 10-speed road shifters.

The ratio is rather greater at 1.9 for Shimano Dura Ace versions from 1984 to 1996 (6 to 8-speed). Only Dura Ace shifters from the same vintage will let this derailleur be matched.

With a ratio of 1.7, 10-speed road derailleurs are fit for both 10-speed road shifters and 6 to 9-speed shifters. When combining with 10-speed mountain or 11-speed shifters, there can be problems, though. Only the 10-speed Tiagra 4700 and Shimano 11-speed shifters should be used since their ratio is the same and they can only be used with Tiagra 4700 and Shimano 11-speed shifters.

The 10-speed derailleur used in mountain bikes has a ratio of roughly 1.2, which makes it compatible just with Shimano's 10-speed mountain shifters. Regarding the 11-speed road derailleur, the ratio is about 1.4, only fit for Shimano's 11-speed road shifters. Applicable for 11 and 12-speed mountain bikes, Shimano has also developed the Hyperglide+ standard, which can only operate with the matching shifters and cassettes.

 

 

SRAM Compatibility

For rear derailleurs, SRAM has its own set criteria. Understanding their compatibility is absolutely vital since it provides four separate series of derailleurs with varied ratios.

First, having a ratio of 1.7, SRAM offers a less-known series fit for Shimano's 2:1 standard. With Shimano (and SRAM 2:1) shifters, appropriate for 6 to 9-speed road and mountain systems, as well as some 10-speed road shifters, barring the Tiagra 4700 series, these derailleurs can be matched.

With a ratio of roughly 1.1, the more often used SRAM standard is 1:1. Shimano's 11-speed mountain derailleurs are compatible with this standard, although true compatibility could need more research. Usually branded for 7, 8, and 9-speed variants, these derailleurs.

With a ratio of 1.3, SRAM's third standard is exact actuation. Mostly utilized in 10 and 11-speed road and mountain systems, this standard offers a more exact shifting experience.

X-Actuation is the last series; its ratio for 11-speed is 1.12 and for 12-speed it is 1.01. Appropriate for the newest 11 and 12-speed mountain systems, these derailleurs provide seamless shifting even at high speeds.

Knowing SRAM's derailleur compatibility criteria will enable you to select the correct parts and guarantee seamless shifting during your rides. Whether mountain or road riding, performance improvement depends on the right mix!

 

Rotor Compatibility

Mostly recognized for its hydraulic technology, Rotor presents a another option in rear derailleurs. Rotor's hydraulic derailleurs are unique among companies in that they only fit its own hydraulic shifters. You cannot thus just combine a Rotor derailleur with Shimano or SRAM shifters.

Rotor's hydraulic derailleur's design seeks to offer a more exact and smooth shifting experience, but this exclusiveness also limits its fit. To get the best performance from a Rotor derailleur you choose, make sure the Rotor hydraulic shifter matches it. 

Though Rotor's technology is less common than Shimano and SRAM, many professional cyclists still find great attraction in its original design and effective shifting techniques. Remember this while making a purchase to help to prevent pointless compatibility problems. Selecting appropriate parts will improve your riding experience and let your gear run at its best!

 

 

Derailleur Ratio Summary Table

Choosing a rear derailleur requires knowledge of the ratios among several manufacturers. The ratios of several criteria are shown in the following table, which facilitates simple comparison and choice of the appropriate parts.

This summary table will help you rapidly understand the ratios of various brands' derailleurs to guarantee you choose the best mix when combining with shifters. The right option will greatly enhance your riding experience, whether for mountain bikes or road bikes.

 

Brand Speed Derailleur Ratio Compatibility
Shimano 6-9 1.7 6-9 speed shifters
Shimano 10 1.7 10-speed road shifters
Shimano 10 1.9 Dura Ace shifters (1984-1996)
Shimano 11 ~1.4 11-speed road shifters
Shimano 10 ~1.2 10-speed mountain shifters
SRAM 6-9 1.7 6-9 speed Shimano and SRAM 2:1 shifters
SRAM 7-9 ~1.1 10-speed road and mountain shifters
SRAM 10-11 ~1.3 10 and 11-speed road and mountain shifters
SRAM 11 ~1.12 11-speed mountain shifters
SRAM 12 ~1.01 12-speed mountain shifters
Rotor N/A N/A Specific Rotor hydraulic shifters

 

Troubleshooting Derailleur Adjustment Issues

You may run across some problems adjusting rear derailleurs that greatly compromise the precision and smoothness of shifting. Knowing these typical issues and their fixes will improve your riding.

A typical problem is erroneous shifting, which could result from incorrect installation or cable strain. While a cable that is too tight may cause shifting hesitation, a cable that is too loose may cause the derailleur to not move to the intended gear with accuracy. Make the required changes and closely verify the cable tension during adjustment.

Changing delay is another often-asked question. Often this is connected to a mismatch in derailleur ratios. Inc. uneven shifter and derailleur ratios could cause sluggish shifting responses or perhaps failure to shift. To prevent such problems, be sure the shifters you are using match the derailleur.

Furthermore, influencing adjustability efficacy is cog spacing. Inaccurate cog spacing could cause misalignment when shifting, therefore compromising precision. Before changing the derailleur, it is therefore imperative to see whether the cog installation and spacing satisfy criteria.

Last but not least, employing cheap connections and housing could complicate changes. Good housing and cables help to lower friction and raise shifting sensitivity. Investing in a decent set of cables and housing is therefore wise.

Effective performance of your derailleur will improve the enjoyment of your rides by spotting and fixing these adjustment problems. To really appreciate the cycling experience, one must guarantee seamless shifting on every ride!

 

BikeGremlin’s Commentary

When talking about rear derailleur compatibility, BikeGremlin offers some fascinating and useful analysis, especially on the actual compatibility of several components. Manufacturers' specifications show that some components are incompatible, yet occasionally these combinations prove to be rather successful in use. This phenomenon complicates many cyclists's choices of components and poses a difficulty.

Shimano frequently points out, for example, that 9-speed, 10-speed, and 11-speed derailleurs are incompatible, but in some cases they may work fine together. This sparks debates on compatibility since BikeGremlin stresses the need for pragmatism over depending just on theoretical criteria.

BikeGremlin also notes that combinations can still work under some conditions even if cog spacing differs greatly when trying to match 11-speed mountain cassettes with 11-speed road components. Although this adaptable compatibility gives riders more choices, it also requires care to guarantee the final configuration's efficiency.

By means of these remarks, BikeGremlin seeks to compile and arrange all feasible combinations that perform well, enabling cyclists to negotiate challenging compatibility concerns with better direction. Although some combinations could be dangerous, knowing the variables involved and doing extensive testing will help to find the best setups for particular purposes.

BikeGremlin invites riders to try various combinations by stressing real use instead of depending just on manufacturer specs. This attitude of discovery enhances the knowledge and sharing among the cycling community as well as helping to maximize the riding experience.

 

Conclusion

Compatibility is absolutely important while choosing and modifying rear derailleurs. By understanding the ratios of different brands and speeds, as well as how to properly pair shifters, you can effectively avoid common shifting problems. Whether it’s Shimano, SRAM, or Campagnolo, each brand has its own unique standards and requirements, and mastering this knowledge will lay a solid foundation for your cycling experience. 

In this process, it’s equally important to focus on actual usage rather than merely depending on manufacturer specifications. Exploring various combinations may yield better performance than strictly adhering to the norms. By understanding the unique characteristics of your components and being open to experimentation, you can discover what works best for your bike and riding style. 

In conclusion, while compatibility may seem complex, understanding the key elements will help you optimize your cycling experience. Make the right choices in component selection and adjustments, and you’ll find yourself enjoying the ride to the fullest. Happy cycling! 

 

Here’s a list of recommended readings with titles linked:

 

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