Rear derailleur question

[Moose.]

I need to get a new one as the current Deore one is getting noisy and the jockey wheels are on the verge of wobbling loose. I'm pretty certain I want an XT one and have narrowed it down to:

Shimano XT Rear Derailleur Shadow M772
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...

or

Shimano XT Rear Derailleur M761
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...

main difference being the first one is a "shadow" mech Anyone care to explain the difference please and are there any others I should be considering? Need to order today as I want to tinker over the weekend (being as though I'm not allowed to ride )

[WildCards]

• Shadow features a super low profile design that reduces the risk of damage from trail side hazards


For an extra £2, you may aswell get the latest and greatest.

Edited by WildCards on Friday 29th February 10:42

[Moose.]

True. For some reason I thought there was more to it, but I guess not

[mk1fan]

Why not just replace the jockey wheels? Not that I want to put someone off a bling upgrade.

[Moose.]

I could do, but I've succumbed to wanting something new and shiny

[pdV6]

mk1fan said:

Why not just replace the jockey wheels? Not that I want to put someone off a bling upgrade.

I've done that before, but at £7 per jockey wheel (£14 total) the argument for something new and shiny gets easier to win!

[mk1fan]

pdV6 said:

but at £7 per jockey wheel (£14 total) the argument for something new and shiny gets easier to win!

I pay £6 a pair! Although I'd like to have a set of machined KCNC ceramic bearing jockey wheels. But. sadly, they don't make them for the Sram deraileurs I now run. Although Srams 'Black Ceramic' jobbies look cool - £75 though!

[-C-]

Image to show the difference.

Plus it doesn't bang against the chainstay constantly like the old bad design...

The only downside are concerns of the mech being easier to push into the wheel if its smacked hard.

[Moose.]

Thanks for that -c-. Looks good so order placed! Anything to quieten for drive chain is a good thing IMHO

[neil_bolton]

-C- said:

Image to show the difference.

Plus it doesn't bang against the chainstay constantly like the old bad design...

The only downside are concerns of the mech being easier to push into the wheel if its smacked hard.

How so? No worse than normal for being pushed into the wheel...

I have the XT Shadow on my Commencal Supreme, and unless they bring an XTR or Dura-ace shadow mech out, I'm very happy. Well worth the outlay.

[-C-]

The whole assembly sits a lot tighter to the cassette & wheel, the cable guide is very close to the spokes too, a bent mech hanger could see the whole rear mech in the wheel as opposed to the lower cage.

I actually have one, it's been alright i'm still a SRAM person though. Far less maintenance to keep it shifting consistantly. Still at least it doesn't clatter like the old ones.

Oh, FYI they do make an XTR Shadow?



No SSC model though, so not really an option for me....

[Pesty]

Now this thread seems to be answered. Can I ask a silly question regarding teh jockey wheels.

Are they supposed to have little ball bearings inside them? was checking my bike over ready for tomorrow. I took off the chain and then I could see both the black plastic toothed wheels were loose.
I removed them to clesn them and I have two silver caps and a channel in the plastic that looks like it should have balls running inside it. Have they fallen out?

Edited by Pesty on Friday 29th February 18:23

[pastrana72]

Pesty said:

Now this thread seems to be answered. Can I ask a silly question regarding teh jockey wheels.

Are they supposed to have little ball bearings inside them? was checking my bike over ready for tomorrow. I took off the chain and then I could see both the black plastic toothed wheels were loose.
I removed them to clesn them and I have two silver caps and a channel in the plastic that looks like it should have balls running inside it. Have they fallen out?

Edited by Pesty on Friday 29th February 18:23

No, its meant to be like that so do not worry.

I fitted my XO mech and XO shifters last week, wow, it feels nice, just do not need to hit the mech on anything as will be expensive to replace, X9 on my other bike is just as good but half the price. ( but not as bling )

[Pesty]

Thanks

although after seeing this thread the need to buy shiney new stuff is hard to resist

[Moose.]

Booo! For the first time ever CRC have let me down as my shiny new derailleur didn't show up in today's post

[pdV6]

Pesty said:

I took off the chain and then I could see both the black plastic toothed wheels were loose.
I removed them to clesn them and I have two silver caps and a channel in the plastic that looks like it should have balls running inside it. Have they fallen out?

Nah. As mentioned above, they're meant to be like that.

If the top jockey wheel wasn't a little "loose" the dérailleur would have a hell of a time shifting the chain as everything would be too rigid.