Bicycle Mechanics - guys plz plz plz plz help

hello everyone. first of all sorry for bad English :) i have race bicycle and planing to travel though Europe.. planning to visit 6-7 countries. so i am planing for long distance ride. i have build my custom bicycle. i bought old ideal (don't remember model). but i have found a problem my rear derailleur is not working properly. i am planning to change front and rear derailleur front- 2 shift and rear 9-shift. i really don't know which one to buy.

can anyone answer me plz....... :)

I personally have no idea, but you are going have to give way more details about what kind of bike, what you have, what you want, etc. No one will be able to answer with the limited info you have given.

can anyone answer me plz....... :)

It would help if we knew where you live. In any case, you have many choices but if you have index shifting, which I assume you do with 9 speeds, then it's important that you stay with the same brand as your shift levers. So check the levers and shop for 9 speed derailleurs within that brand, according to your budget.

thank you for your reply raylon i really appreciate it. could u plz ask me questions what info u would like to know and i will answer to u. i have bought old ideal bicycle and then painted and restored it...... its a race bicycle and has short rear Derailleu. it has 9 speed Cassette and 2 speed cranckset

It would help if we knew where you live. In any case, you have many choices but if you have index shifting, which I assume you do with 9 speeds, then it's important that you stay with the same brand as your shift levers. So check the levers and shop for 9 speed derailleurs within that brand, according to your budget.
problem is that in my country bicycle is not common thing.....in streets u barely will see ppl riding bicycles. relatively shops are not as advanced as i wished :) so my only shop is amazon. regarding choosing a brand for me is difficult because as i told i painted bicycle and don't remember the exact model of derailleure. i know that sounds wierd :) but thats the siatuation i am in :) i really need some advices for what i am gratefully thankful

my main concern is which derailleur should i buy long or short? i have founs some for 20-30 $ and some much more expansive my budget for both set (front and rear is 100-150$)

Again, the most important thing to consider is the brand, Shimano, Campagnolo, Sram, or other of the shift levers. That will determine which brand derailleurs you need. See if the levers have the brand written on them anywhere, and that's your starting place.

thats definitely shimano

OK, so we have a starting place. Next step is to look at the rear derailleur, and see if the frame has a built on hanger (extension the derailleur screws on to) or if the derailleur has to include the adapter. This is unlikely on a 9s bike, but you need to check.

Then you need to know if the front derailleur mounts to an adapter plate (braze-on) attached to the frame, or if the front derailleur has a band that wraps around the frame. All braze-on type are the same, but for a band mounted model you need to know the diameter of the frame.

For long vs short cage, it depends on the gear range. The derailleur has a capacity expressed two ways.

1- the largest rear sprocket it can work with
2- chain take up capacity which is the issue in cage length. The capacity must be larger than the sum of the differences in sprockets, ie. for a 12-28 with 39-53 chainrings it would be 16+14 or 30 teeth capacity.

So you have the FD type, and maybe band diameter, and a way to know which size cage you need, now it's about price for a pair of decent Shimano front derailleurs.

Again, the most important thing to consider is the brand, Shimano, Campagnolo, Sram, or other of the shift levers. That will determine which brand derailleurs you need. See if the levers have the brand written on them anywhere, and that's your starting place.

so levelers and derailleur should be same brand i guess :)

We need way more information. Easiest thing would probably be to post detailed pictures of your components. Then we'll have a better idea what you're working with.

so levelers and derailleur should be same brand i guess :)

Not should,---- must.

It's possible to mix brands, but complicated and shouldn't be done except by those who know exactly what they're doing.

OK, so we have a starting place. Next step is to look at the rear derailleur, and see if the frame has a built on hanger (extension the derailleur screws on to) or if the derailleur has to include the adapter. This is unlikely on a 9s bike, but you need to check.

Then you need to know if the front derailleur mounts to an adapter plate (braze-on) attached to the frame, or if the front derailleur has a band that wraps around the frame. All braze-on type are the same, but for a band mounted model you need to know the diameter of the frame.

For long vs short cage, it depends on the gear range. The derailleur has a capacity expressed two ways.

1- the largest rear sprocket it can work with
2- chain take up capacity which is the issue in cage length. The capacity must be larger than the sum of the differences in sprockets, ie. for a 12-28 with 39-53 chainrings it would be 16+14 or 30 teeth capacity.

So you have the FD type, and maybe band diameter, and a way to know which size cage you need, now it's about price for a pair of decent Shimano front derailleurs.

OK so for front derailleur frame comes with the plate to attach it, same with derailleur hanger. as i guessed long/short cage depends on length of chain. on my place which models u would choose? and btw can i ask u what bike u have?
i stronglu belibe u have very strong one :P

i am really embraced to ask u this but i really could not find how to upload pics here sorry :(

I have a few bikes, the newest of which is about 15 years old. I also own a titanium road frame given to me by the maker a few years ago, nut haven't built it yet because I told myself I'd build it when my current road bike dies.

lol man titanium is like Bentley in bike world :)

upload some pics of urs plz

upload some pics of urs plz

I don't have any photos of my bikes. Zero, not even one. I have very few of my wife, so if I took pictures of my bikes, she'd get jealous.

ahahahaha :) thats reason i am not still married :)

so what u suggest regarding derailleur bro?

guys???????? any advice plz? i know it sounds weird the question i ask, but i am sitting in front of amazon website and confused which derailleur to buy

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/799454-my-custom-bicycle-!!!!!!!-) here is link for my bike pics

You might want to visit the "Touring" forum to get information about long distance riding.

can anyone answer me plz....... :)

Are you sure you need new derailleurs ? What is the problem ? Maybe you just need adjustments or new cables.
Or perhaps the hanger is bent, or the problem is related to the chain and/or cassette.

Here's some information on problem solving:

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/categories/derailleur-systems

Are you sure you need new derailleurs ? What is the problem ? Maybe you just need adjustments or new cables.
Or perhaps the hanger is bent, or the problem is related to the chain and/or cassette.

Here's some information on problem solving:

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/categories/derailleur-systems

when i try to shift chain fells from derailleurs lower wheel

Brake cables need to go under your bar tape. It would clean up the front end of your bike a lot.

Derailleurs are basically dumb devices, they just move the chain inward or outward. The shifters are the "brains" of the operation. A lot of shifter problems are with the shifters. Another source is the cables and housings. A third source is the derailleur hanger being bent. Derailleurs themselves are pretty robust.

So on a limited budget, you could quickly go through quite a bit of money and not "fix" the problem.


Follow the step by step guide on the Park tool site on how to adjust a derailleur. They pretty much cover it all.

when i try to shift chain fells from derailleurs lower wheel

Can you give a bit more detail ? Under what conditions ? Only certain gear combinations ?
Can you post close up pictures of your rear derailleur ?


EDIT:OP has a newer post with pictures here:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/799531-damaged-Dérailleur

Let's put all new replies there.

Brake cables need to go under your bar tape. It would clean up the front end of your bike a lot.

Derailleurs are basically dumb devices, they just move the chain inward or outward. The shifters are the "brains" of the operation. A lot of shifter problems are with the shifters. Another source is the cables and housings. A third source is the derailleur hanger being bent. Derailleurs themselves are pretty robust.

So on a limited budget, you could quickly go through quite a bit of money and not "fix" the problem.


Follow the step by step guide on the Park tool site on how to adjust a derailleur. They pretty much cover it all.
i have brooks handle bar tape...is it possible to remove it and install again?

here is link for my damaged derailleur http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/799531-dameged-Derailleur?p=13868848#post13868848

here is link for my damaged derailleur

I don't see anything wrong with the derailleur, except that the cable is frayed. Now that you described the issue, chain falling off the lower pulley, I suspect, that either the pulley itself is worn or has play in it's bearing (replace pulleys), or the entire derailleur isn't parallel because the hanger isn't square. Squaring the hanger (part of the frame where the RD mounts) is critical to good function. There are tools for this job that act both as bending levers and gauges, using the rear wheel as a guide. The tools are expensive, but if there's a shop nearby the actual job won't cost too much. You might also see if there's a local club, as the club or team mechanic will surely have the needed tool.

I don't see anything wrong with the derailleur, except that the cable is frayed. Now that you described the issue, chain falling off the lower pulley, I suspect, that either the pulley itself is worn or has play in it's bearing (replace pulleys), or the entire derailleur isn't parallel because the hanger isn't square. Squaring the hanger (part of the frame where the RD mounts) is critical to good function. There are tools for this job that act both as bending levers and gauges, using the rear wheel as a guide. The tools are expensive, but if there's a shop nearby the actual job won't cost too much. You might also see if there's a local club, as the club or team mechanic will surely have the needed tool.
so u think derailleur holder is banded?