Question: How To Change Derailleur

Is replacing a derailleur easy?

Believe it or not, it’s not difficult to replace the rear derailleur yourself Unscrew the derailleur from the derailleur hanger by inserting a hex wrench and turning counter-clockwise The derailleur will now come away from the hanger Remove the derailleur cable by loosening the hex bolt on the cable retaining clamp

How hard is it to replace a derailleur?

It’s relatively easy, and if you haven’t done it before, you’ll learn the procedure of tuning a rear derailleur from scratch, which can be invaluable out on the trail Are you planning on installing a new cable? It’s not required, but this would be the time to do it If so, you’ll need cable cutters

How much does it cost to replace a 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

Can I change derailleur without breaking chain?

If the derailleur is riveted closed, you won’t be able to take it off the bike without breaking the chain or destroying the derailleur If you’re going to replace it, then you’ll need to break the chain anyway to put the new derailleur on So if that’s the case, then just buy a chain tool and new derailleur

Will any derailleur fit 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

Can you ride a mountain bike without a derailleur?

Technically, a mountain bike can work without a derailleur If your derailleur stops working, you can rig it to keep the bike working However, you also have the option to ditch it completely and make it a single speed, if you wish

How long should a derailleur 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

Can I remove my rear derailleur?

Rear Derailleur Removal The first step is to shift your chain onto the smallest rear sprocket Then pull off the shift cable’s end cap and loosen the cable pinch bolt Now you can unthread the derailleur’s mounting bolt all the way counter clockwise to remove the derailleur

Are derailleur hangers universal?

SRAM has introduced a Universal Derailleur Hanger concept, and word is Trek and other major brands are on board The idea is simple: Create a single hanger design that works on any bike for any derailleur In reality, the mounting point and shape for the derailleur interface has been standard forever

What is front derailleur?

The front derailleur is the mechanism that shifts the chain on bike with more than one front chainring There are many different makes and models, but they all share the same basic design and functionality Front derailleurs are attached to the bike with either a clamp or bracket

Does MTB need front derailleur?

Are Front Derailleurs Necessary? These days front derailleurs are essentially not necessary, on mountain bikes at least Now even high-end road bikes are starting to lose their front derailleurs With a larger rear cassette, it’s possible to get the same number of gears without the need for a front derailleur

Why do you need a derailleur?

A rear derailleur (often referred to as a ‘rear mech’) is the mechanism that moves the chain from cog-to-cog on the cassette at the rear of the bike You need to ensure it’s compatible with the rest of your bike’s components and in good shape

Can you put a derailleur on a single speed?

The installation of the derailleur will necessitate the purchase of a special hanger which puts the derailleur in a position from which it can encompass all rear cogs Most dedicated single-speed frames do not have a built-in derailleur hanger or special bosses where you can install one

How do I know if my derailleur is bad?

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

How do I know if I need a new 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

What causes derailleur hanger to break?

Some common reasons for it breaking are: Hitting an obstacle (eg 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

Should my derailleur be straight?

unless you have it on the grannie up front (or the cranks are way off the proper chain line) it should be reasonably straight line It’s very unlikely that you bent the parallels on the actual derailleur, possible, but very unlikely