Bicycle Mechanics - busted up diamondback trail xc

Hey everyone new to fixing up bikes here and had a few questions. This mountain bike was given to me needing some work. Its a Diamondback trail xc and the tires are beat,the seat,and brake pads all need replacement which is cake for me. The biggest issue is rear shifter. I do not know the bike terminology so im looking for help in what I should be hunting down for parts. The rear shifter was bent and broken off the frame. I believe all Id need is the rear shifter mechanicism and the bracket that it connects to which bolts to the frame, I would get a chain too just for good measure. Does anyone have a good website for replacement parts and what I would need??

thanks everyone

The shifter is should be on the right side of the handlebars. The rear derailleur is hung on the frame. It sounds like you need a new derailleur hanger.

http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&q=diamondback+trail+xc+derailleur+hanger

The shifter is should be on the right side of the handlebars. The rear derailleur is hung on the frame. It sounds like you need a new derailleur hanger.

http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&q=diamondback+trail+xc+derailleur+hanger
Yeah I meant to say derailleur. So how can I figure out which kind I need?? Also is there a standard derailleur that I can buy ?

There is no standard. You need one that is compatible with the shifter that you already have. Or you can find the shifter and derailleur being sold together. You'll need to redo the cable too which means that you will need: cables, cable housing, ferrules, and the little tips to keep them from fraying. Gear cables 4mm, brake cables 5mm. The housing is specific. If you like paying retail Amazon actually carries a lot of parts. If you don't mind buying used Ebay often has whole component sets. If you want it really cheap and like the community thing go to a co-op. If there's one near you. If you want to feel like it is all assembled professionally go to the LBS with a lot of money.

There is no standard. You need one that is compatible with the shifter that you already have. Or you can find the shifter and derailleur being sold together. You'll need to redo the cable too which means that you will need: cables, cable housing, ferrules, and the little tips to keep them from fraying. Gear cables 4mm, brake cables 5mm. The housing is specific. If you like paying retail Amazon actually carries a lot of parts. If you don't mind buying used Ebay often has whole component sets. If you want it really cheap and like the community thing go to a co-op. If there's one near you. If you want to feel like it is all assembled professionally go to the LBS with a lot of money.
Is there any chance of me finding a derailure and bracket that would match my shifter? Do they put model numbers on them?

If I had a donor bike with a good shifter and derailure could I swap it over even if it's a bike?

AFAIK the Trail XC is a suspension fork and not a bike model. Can you provide us with a photo of what broke, it sounds like the derailleur hanger broke and these are frame specific or it could be that your bike doesn't use a hanger and the derailleur itself broke.

The "bracket" is called a "derailleur hanger", and often varies from frame model to model. If you can figure out what model and (hopefully) year your bike is, there's a good chance you can get a replacement derailleur hanger pretty cheaply ($10-20).
The rear derailleur itself works to one of two standards. Shimano is the main standard, and some (but not all) SRAM shifters/derailleurs use a different standard. Your derailleur must match the standard used by your shifters on the handlebar. Thus, you need to identify the model number of either the destroyed derailleur or of the shifters.
Here's one possible type of derailleur hanger: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270435439556
Here's another: http://www.amazon.com/DiamondBack-32-00-455-Diamondback-Drop-Out-Hanger/dp/B002X03Y1W

Hey guys thanks for the replys things are starting to make abit more sense. I believe this bike is a diamondback sorrento. Ive been checking out pics online and it looks exactly the same. As far as the year goes im not sure on that one. I took some pics this mourning of the broke piece.

I got pics of the shifter which is a SRAM and the derailure.

Let me know if this helps out in figuring out what I need?

I'm no expert but this derailleur looks a lot like the silly plastic SRAM 3.0 that's on my Hardrock Sport. Regardless, you have SRAM shifters, go get a SRAM compatible derailleur that is made to shifter the same number of gears. You might even get away with hanging the derailleur back up.

I'm no expert but this derailleur looks a lot like the silly plastic SRAM 3.0 that's on my Hardrock Sport. Regardless, you have SRAM shifters, go get a SRAM compatible derailleur that is made to shifter the same number of gears. You might even get away with hanging the derailleur back up.
Well it does say SRAM on the shifter on the handlebars so im gonna guess and agree with you its a sram derailleur. As far as hanging it back, the bracket was snapped so id have to get another one.

There are Shimano derailleurs that are compatible with SRAM shifters. I guess first you need a bracket. Get one of those and hang the original derailleur back up and see if it's still functional. If it is then you'll be good to go. If not then just get another one that is SRAM shifter compatible.

While you are working on this bike make sure to inspect your rear spokes.

There are Shimano derailleurs that are compatible with SRAM shifters. I guess first you need a bracket. Get one of those and hang the original derailleur back up and see if it's still functional. If it is then you'll be good to go. If not then just get another one that is SRAM shifter compatible.
Actually, it's the other way around: some *SRAM* shifters are compatible with Shimano rear *derailleurs*, while other SRAM shifters are compatible with SRAM rear derailleurs. The SRAM ESP system shifters and derailleurs use a 1:1 cable pull ratio, while Shimano uses a 2:1 cable pull. Thus, if you've got an SRAM RD, almost certainly you'll need another SRAM RD to replace it.

Well it does say SRAM on the shifter on the handlebars so im gonna guess and agree with you its a sram derailleur.
Not a good bet. Many inexpensive bikes are sold with SRAM grip shifters (that use the Shimano 2:1 cable pull ratio) paired with Shimano rear derailleurs (usually, pretty low end stuff like the Tourney line). That's so the bike maker can advertise "Shimano derailleur" and/or put big "Shimano" decals on the bike.

Please just post a photo of your shifters and a photo of your (dead) derailleur and you'll get informed opinions.

Please just post a photo of your shifters and a photo of your (dead) derailleur and you'll get informed opinions.

The shifter looks like an X3 which is a 1:1 shifter.