rear derailuer advice please?

Exploding derailleurs!! Great idea whoever started making these.
Anyway, there are 2 main derailleur manufacturers - Campagnolo (Italian) and Shimano (Japanese). They both make excellent quality gear.

Problem is, they tend to sell all their new components in 'Group sets' which means all the components are designed to work together (front/rear derailleur, rear sprockets, chainwheels, chain).

You may need to go second hand for a 6-speed derailleur as all new ones are 9 or 10 speed and probably wouldn't work very well on a 6-speed cassette.

They are pretty east to fit - all you need is an allen wrench/adjustable wrench and a pair of pliers.

Try a local bike shop - they may have some old 6-speed mechs lying around.

Failing that, try Ebay.

Hope this helps

Several online retailers still sell older derailleurs suitable for 6 gears. Some are available on Nashbar and Harris Cyclery if I recall correctly... There are likely to be more. EBay is also a good source if you find the right one when you need it.

Harris Cyclery is great at providing assistance by email in getting the right part if you can describe what you have to replace.

There is no need to replace the front derailleur, unless you are having problems with it. Also, even though they may not be appropriate for your bike, you can always buy modern derailleurs at any bike shop locally or online without having to buy the complete set.

With a 6 cog rear, there are other derailleurs that may have been used on your bike besides Campagnolo and Shimano, such as Suntour, Huret and others... These are also available online or at some bike shops...

If you can make a trip to the University District, I know there is a place that sells used parts, and would probably be able to help you with answering your questions. I believe it is called "Recycled Cycles" and they are on the water front right below the University. They sell new and used bikes and equipment. There may be others in the area, but I don't live in Seattle, so don't know of any... I checked out this shop just for curiosity on my last trip to the Seattle area.

If you can describe your derailleur, and any markings on it, others may be able to help you narrow your search for a suitable replacement. For example, does it have a derailleur hanger as part of it?

One other source worth exploring would be thrift stores, as if you find one, you could pick up a bike with an approprate derailleur for $20 or less... You may even stumble onto a bike worth using instead of your current bike.

Good luck!

axiomflash said:

.. on the way home my rear derailuer exploded! .. i was hoping someone could give me advice on purchasing a new one. i know next to nothing about derailuers,

There are differences between RDs, but many (most) are compatible. And if your shifter isn't indexing you can use pretty much whatever you can find. If your shifter IS indexing it's a little more critical, but still a good chance to pick up a functioning replacement.
I think SRAM has some with a very different mechanical leverage than the average, so it might be wise to steer clear of those unless someone can tell you otherwise.
ALso be wary of MTB/touring gear. They are likely to run a longer cage than your bike originally came equipped with, which might cause chain length issues.

One thing that is fairly important is how the RD attaches to the bike. Some uses a claw that gets clamped down by the wheel axle, others are directly mounted to the frame. A claw mount will fit on a bike intended for direct mount but not the other way around. Bring a pic of bike and RD(or the actual bike!) when you go shopping for the replacement, that should improve your chances of getting the right stuff.

axiomflash said:

at long last I had the opportunity to pull out bike and put it to good use as i can ride the 6 miles to downtown seattle for work.
alas, on my first day of doing so on the way home my rear derailuer exploded! 🙁 i dont know if it was caused by age/wear/lose screw, or what.

i wasnt able to find one of the pieces as it was dark, so i guess this one has got to go in the trash, maybe its for the best. i was hoping someone could give me advice on purchasing a new one. i know next to nothing about derailuers, so i am wondering:

How do i find one that will fit my bike appropriately (6 cogs on rear set, road bike)

Is this something I should be able to install easily myself?

Are there sets sold with both front and rear derailuers? I am considering just replacing both as this has happened.

What is a decent price? I am looking just for something basic. It should match my cheap (relative) bike, haha.

Are there any inexpensive online stores where I could find some to compare and buy?

Great thanks to anyone who can help as I've been looking to get back into this hobby for years, and now the day I start my dream is crushed!!! 🙄

as a fellow Seattle bike commuter, I second the advice to try Recycled Cycles. You can pick up a suitable used RD for less than $15 or so, and they also sell new stuff if you prefer. I suggest taking the bits of your old RD with you to get an appropriate replacement. And yes, you can do this repair/installation yourself. See:

http://www.parktool.com/repair/

for assistance.

thanks all. its really funny two of you mentioned Recycled Cycles as someone at the office reccommended the same place today. Now this smacks with irony...I was literally 20 yards past Recycled Cycles when the derailluer broke. I had no idea it was there at the time. SMALL WORLD! haha!

axiomflash said:

thanks all. its really funny two of you mentioned Recycled Cycles as someone at the office reccommended the same place today. Now this smacks with irony...I was literally 20 yards past Recycled Cycles when the derailluer broke. I had no idea it was there at the time. SMALL WORLD! haha!

🙂
That is quite interesting. It is a shop I would probably visit often if I were in the area... definitely worth stopping in.

do ya think that maybe the shop emitts a rear derailuer exploding beam at certain times to help maintain its bussiness?