Bicycle Mechanics - Need a new, better, derailleur

I bought a Kona Stuff 05 about 1 tear ago, and I love it. The only problem I have with it, is its ass-whack derailleur. It broke once, replaced it. Broke a second time, and I’ve had enough with it. Currently I have a broken 8 Speed Shimano Alivio RD-M410-L, and want a better one that may not break so often. To replace this Alivio with another Alivio will cost about $40. I have no trouble buying another, better, derailleur for $100.

I mostly free ride and mountain bike. Does anyone have any recommendation for a derailleur that won’t break itself, or my wallet?

I mostly free ride and mountain bike. Does anyone have any recommendation for a derailleur that won’t break itself, or my wallet?

How did it break?

If you're doing real mountain biking, your rear derailleur is always one twig in the bottom chain run away from destruction. Expensive ones break just as easily as the cheaper ones, they just cost more to replace.

I bought a Kona Stuff 05 about 1 tear ago, and I love it. The only problem I have with it, is its ass-whack derailleur. It broke once, replaced it. Broke a second time, and I’ve had enough with it. Currently I have a broken 8 Speed Shimano Alivio RD-M410-L, and want a better one that may not break so often. To replace this Alivio with another Alivio will cost about $40. I have no trouble buying another, better, derailleur for $100.

I mostly free ride and mountain bike. Does anyone have any recommendation for a derailleur that won’t break itself, or my wallet?

Just got an XT from Jensen for $40 + shipping, and they ship FedEx, not the stupid USPS like Nashbar and Performance. Great deal on a very good RDR. Go here to order: http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/RD707A04-Shimano+Xt+M750+Rear+Derailleur.aspx

As RG noted, expensive derailleurs break just as easily as cheap ones. Maybe easier since part of their high cost comes from their minimalist, light weight design.

If you are routinely breaking rear derailleurs, maybe you should rethink your riding techniques.

Alright, thanks. Big help, guess ill just have to replace them every once in awhile.

But, what I dont understand is why my friends crappy buffy rear derailleur hasnt broke, ever. Its a Shimano. I dont get it. He rides it everyday, and he rides it hard.

ebay for alivio derailleurs. I got mine for $8 shipped.

Then I replaced it with a SRAM 3.0 for $6 shipped from nashbar, because I got new 1:1 shifters.

This is why people go singlespeed :)

Alright, thanks. Big help, guess ill just have to replace them every once in awhile.

But, what I dont understand is why my friends crappy buffy rear derailleur hasnt broke, ever. Its a Shimano. I dont get it. He rides it everyday, and he rides it hard.

Maybe he doesn't whack it into things? Or lay the bike down on the derailleur? Or use bad gear combos? You didn't say how or why your derailleur breaks. Do you use the big-big gear combo with too short of a chain? If it's breaking without any "help" from you, why don't you get it replaced under warranty?

Go Shimano Deore like Old Hammer Boy said. Alivio, Acera, Altus - they all are just good for riding around in the grass at the local park. Any harder riding and you will be replacing 'em. BTW, what exactly do you mean by "broken"? I'm imagining the the RD snapped backwards and in half, but that doesn't seem likely unless you whack at it with a hammer. I thought my mom had messed up her Acera on her bike once, but it turned out it there was more dirt in the assembly than lube and metal put together. My roommate smashed the cage/tensioner parts into some concrete (bench or curb?) and that did the trick. If thats whats happening to you, Deore won't do much. It might take any bad gearing combos better. Try maybe Shimano Hone's. Don't seem to be around as much as Deore's, but I heard they are cheaper than XTs or LXs and just as good. Also, Shimano's website has their Saint's listed as heavy duty stuff, but there might be sizing issues.

But, what I dont understand is why my friends crappy buffy rear derailleur hasnt broke, ever. Its a Shimano. I dont get it. He rides it everyday, and he rides it hard.

In bicycles, the extra expense doesn't necessarily get you something stronger, but will almost always get you something lighter.

Expensive equipment = light...

Cheap equipment = heavy...

Cheaper and heavier can sometimes also be stronger...

How did sydney put it? Something like 'everything breaks, light stuff breaks quicker' something like that...he did have a turn of phrase.