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SRAM x9 rear derailleur good replacement for sx5???
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Hi All,
Just getting into MTB after long absence.
Sons bike(casual rider) has sx5 rear derailleur which around the lower pulley is worn and bent. Over due for replacement.
After some research was considering the X9 as only a few more $$ than x5.
actuation same 1:1
thumb operated shifters are X7
8 speed cassette
3 speed crank
no experience with SRAM but happy to stick with it for now?
So X9 and maybe medium cage for better shifting or are other/better alternatives available?Note: family guy - like quality but low budget
Your opinions would be helpful
thanks
Dave
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Dont take my comments as gospel, but I thought that mid cage derailleurs were for 2 front ring setups and long cage were for 3 front rings. Also have you considered replacing your 8 speed cassette with a 9 or 10 speed as I would reckon that 8 speed stuff would be very difficult to source.
X9 does only come in 9 or 10 speed though so you'll need a new cassette either way.
To answer your original question, the X9 is a great upgrade. Very similar in performance to X0 for much less money.
As mentioned above, a long cage is best if you have 3 rings up front.
The X9 9 speed derailleur should be fine for a 8sp bike. I temporarily ran a 9sp derailleur on a 7sp bike (same chain size as 8sp) and it worked perfectly. The 9sp derailleur cage is wide enough that there shouldn’t be any dramas with the slightly wider 8sp chain.
You might also consider the X7 derailleur if it is significantly cheaper. I destroyed my X9 derailleur on a road trip and could only find an X7 as a temporary replacement. I honestly couldn't tell the difference. Chain tension and shifting were identical as far as I could tell.