Bicycle Mechanics - SRAM 5.0 Derailleurs

I am in the process of rebuilding my drivetrain (waiting for a wrench so I can swap cranksets) and are replacing both of my current derailleurs (Shimano Tourney, entry level) with SRAM 5.0 Derailleurs.

They seem to be of decent build quality, with some plastic involved, and resemble the X.5 series, but I have been able to find very little information on them online. I got a good deal on both so as long as they're a step up from the Tourneys I'll be fine (and they seem to be), but does anyone have any information on them or any experience?

I know they support fairly wide tooth ratios, that they are 1:1 and ESP compatible, and that the rear derailleur is a long cage model.


I'll be able to test ride them shortly, but was hoping someone had some experience using or maintaining them so I can get an idea of general quality and lifetime expectancy.

I used a 5.0 for a long time when I couldn't afford anything better. Worked well, and still resides as a backup RD for the next time my X7 goes crunch. BTW, are you getting new shifters too? The ESP cable pull ratio won't work with the same shifters as the old Shimano tourney.

Yes, I got a pair of X.4 shifters (wanted to go 8 speed not 9, and they were one of the few trigger shifters with only 8 from SRAM).

From the little bit of research I could come across, it seems they were the precursor to the X.5 line and was really short lived, but it didn't seem like it was a poor quality one.

I have 5.0 rear derailleurs on two bikes (8sp with SX5 triggers and 9sp with 7.0 gripshifts) and have no complaints. The cable housing comes out of them towards the front - that's a plus.