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Rear derailleur upgrade - suggestions pls
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Hi, I recently bought a 2011 Trance X3. Absolutely brilliant thing, particularly compared to the 1994 Merida with Mag 10s which was my old trusty (finally worn out).
But, the rear derailleur is a Shimano SLX - seems really slow and clunky compared to the old (1994) XTR.
Admittedly, its a much bigger number of teeth on the rear cluster with this one (not sure, but 36 versus 32?).
So, question is, can I upgrade to something better - faster changing and with less clanging and grinking? Without spending all my savings (ie. is there a value proposition here)?
Advice much appreciated.
Cheers
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Maybe a better chain and rear cassete would give crisper shifting?
Check that your derailluer can handle the larger cog on the rear. There is a formula to work it out that comes with the instructions. Derailluers come in different cage lengths, eg, long, medium and short. You can download the instructions from the Shimano website.
Secondly, ensure that your cables can move freely in the guides. Kinked, worn, dirty cables inhibit good shifting.
Thirdly, it's a bit unfair comparing SLX to XTR, since they are built to different standards. I'd go for a carbon cage XTR as it's less likely to bend out of shape than aluminium. Yes, it's much more expensive.
on shifting quality:
Clean shifter cables
Clean chain
Chain + Cassette
Shifter
Rear Deraillleur
Assuming the first two are good, a decent chain and cassette are where you should spend your money. Most bikes come from the factory with bottom end chains and cassettes because punters don't know any better and puts a few bucks in their pocket instead of the punters.
First thing I did when I got my Rize earlier this year was toss the junk bottom end spider-less SRAM cassette and who-knows-what chain and fit a decent cassette and XTR chain. Besides greatly improving the shifting and improving drive train longevity by several times, the bigger cogs being on alloy spidrs stopped the cogs digging into the relatvely soft Sun Ringle Dirty Flea freehub body.
The second thing I did was fit Gore Ride-On sealed shifter cables. Say goodbye to your shifting turning to snotty custard when the weather decides to dump on your ride. Haven't had to touch it since fitting 6 months ago. Still smooooth as.
I have an semi new Deore XT derailleur if you are interested.
I upgraded to single speed making it redundant, carton of beer its yours.
Im in Rockingham.
Not much or an upgrade but it might help.
no no no gentlemen, you all have it wrong, the rear derailluer just hangs there and basically does what it is told, you could waste money and put an xtr on there and it wont make much difference, if you want crisper shifting then it is the shifters that need replacing, i used to work in a shop in brissy and the amount of people that want to uprgrade rear derailluers was unbeleivable, if you run xt shifters then the shifting will pick up a hell of a lot and you can still run the slx rear, the difference to what you have now will blow you away, and then check cables and inners
I find it interesting that you're having issues with the stock X3 stuff. Should not be any clunks. My wife rides a 2011 Trance X3 and the shifting is perfect. My bike has XT shifters and derailleur and I don't notice any real difference between the two.
Personally, unless you've got some money burning a hole in your pocket, I'd wait until chain and cassette are due for a change and get better spec ones then. See how shifting feels after that.
+1 Gazza.
There is nothing wrong with SLX rear derailleur. Much of the same technology found in the XT derailleur is also found in the SLX. Its a great item for a mid priced bike.
i also agree with gazza, thats why im saying change the shifters, the deore are crap, i got rid of mine and threw on some xt i had sitting here, but slx will be just as good, other then that they are a pretty good bike, i know i have the 2011 x3 also
I don't know what the difference is between SLX and XT, but the shifting is definitely better with the XT, then stepping up to XTR is a million times better again. I'm currently running all three on different bikes. The SLX has an XT rear and SLX cassette and XT chain and is slow. The XT shifters are with an XT rear, with Dura Ace 27-12 cassette and XTR chain and it's a massive difference. Then the XTR is with the an XTR rear and XT cassette and XTR chain and well, it's the best hands down.
I'd be ensuring cables are clean, lubed and adjusted correctly, if still
Not happy, then upgrad the shifters, if still not happy, wait till drivetrain wears out and upgrade to
Better quality chain and cassette.
I must say it all makes sense.
I remember the original XTR cassette on the old bike was a special thing, and made the big difference - never quite as good once I wore that out and replaced it with a cheapie. And a good stiff chain obviously makes a difference to speed of change and potential for grinking (as does riding technique).
I'll look to do those things first.
I always liked teflon cable covers so I will look for some of the Gore Ride-on and upgrade to that as well.
Finally, I will think about $ shifters and rear derailleur after that.
Once again, thanks for everyone's input.
Get a 9 speed Dura-Ace or XTR chain on your bike - always. It is where most of the friction is found and saves heaps of $$$ on buying trick drivetrain components you don't really need.