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A mountain bike derailleur on a road bike?

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A mountain bike derailleur on a road bike?

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Old 12-22-11, 07:40 PM
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A mountain bike derailleur on a road bike?

Specifically a SRAM X.4 replacing an older (2004?) Sora one. My assumption is that the mountain bike derailleurs would be able to handle a higher stress, such as those exerted in sprints. But a few questions, 1) Would I even see an improvement going from my current to the new? 2) Are Shimano Sora shifters even compatible with this derailleur? 3) Would it even be worth it?

I know it's a bit of a stupid upgrade, but the derailleur are only $25, so figure it might be a way to upgrade a little...
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Old 12-22-11, 07:45 PM
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SRAM has a different pull ratio than Shimano..... SRAM 1:1 Shimano 2:1 Will not work..

Last edited by Capecodder; 12-22-11 at 07:51 PM.
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Old 12-22-11, 07:47 PM
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A mountain bike derailleur is a good idea if you live in the mountains, ride dirt trails, or plan on touring with this bicycle because they'll fit 34 and 36 tooth cassettes but I'd go with a Deore to make it compatible with your brifters. If your chain jumps or hangs up when you apply a lot of torque it's probably a bad chain-line problem, worn chain and gears, or maladjusted derailleur. You might be cross-shifting too. To fix the chainline you could change your bottom bracket spindle to make the chainline straight in your favorite gears. Check your front derailleur travel to see if its possible first.

Last edited by Clem von Jones; 12-22-11 at 08:04 PM.
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Old 12-22-11, 09:24 PM
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Get a new one road specific rear derailleur:
Sora: $30.
105: $50.
Ultegra: $75.
Problem solved.
(cut those prices in half for used)

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Old 12-22-11, 09:33 PM
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if you feel the need (want to have wider gearing) to do the mountain derailleur the go with Shimano XT for the reason above. Don't do the mountain because in your mind it is more durable not true for that go with the Ultegra or 105 road derailleur.
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Old 12-22-11, 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Bioluminescence
My assumption is that the mountain bike derailleurs would be able to handle a higher stress, such as those exerted in sprints.
That would be an incorrect assumption. Sprinting doesn't stress a derailleur and MTB derailleurs aren't any tougher they're just designed to accommodate a wider range of gearing.
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Old 12-22-11, 09:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Capecodder
SRAM has a different pull ratio than Shimano..... SRAM 1:1 Shimano 2:1 Will not work..
Originally Posted by Clem von Jones
A mountain bike derailleur is a good idea if you live in the mountains, ride dirt trails, or plan on touring with this bicycle because they'll fit 34 and 36 tooth cassettes but I'd go with a Deore to make it compatible with your brifters. If your chain jumps or hangs up when you apply a lot of torque it's probably a bad chain-line problem, worn chain and gears, or maladjusted derailleur. You might be cross-shifting too. To fix the chainline you could change your bottom bracket spindle to make the chainline straight in your favorite gears. Check your front derailleur travel to see if its possible first.
Originally Posted by 2ndGen
Get a new one road specific rear derailleur:
Sora: $30.
105: $50.
Ultegra: $75.
Problem solved.
(cut those prices in half for used)

Originally Posted by CPcyclist
if you feel the need (want to have wider gearing) to do the mountain derailleur the go with Shimano XT for the reason above. Don't do the mountain because in your mind it is more durable not true for that go with the Ultegra or 105 road derailleur.
Thanks guys! Will work on finding a cheaper used road one. I have all winter anyways...
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Old 12-22-11, 10:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Bioluminescence
Thanks guys! Will work on finding a cheaper used road one. I have all winter anyways...
Winter's a great time to buy.
You can get a new rear derailleur at a ridiculously low price.
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Old 12-22-11, 10:33 PM
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Originally Posted by 2ndGen
Winter's a great time to buy.
You can get a new rear derailleur at a ridiculously low price.
Both new and used? I'll be roaming CL for the next few months.
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Old 12-22-11, 10:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Bioluminescence
Both new and used? I'll be roaming CL for the next few months.
I'd get "new", but if you're on a budget,
then get something that's used that's in great condition.
Granted, you won't get a warranty with it and it's a chance you take.

$28./shipped -----> https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-Sora...#ht_2117wt_886

For "used", you can trust the guys here... https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...ke-Marketplace

(you might get lucky and get another deal like this... https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...es)-Components )
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Old 12-22-11, 11:36 PM
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I have MTB rear derailers on both my road bikes ATM and only one of them has a triple. Like others have said the're not especially tougher but they open up the opportunity to get a lower geared cogset and along with new left shifter and front derailer and crankset you could go triple.

MTB RD can't be Sram, though.
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Old 12-23-11, 02:08 AM
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Switched from a Tiagra RD to an XT (a Shadow version, I believe) specifically to run a "pie plate" 11-32 cassette on my 9sp Tiagra-equipped commuter. Works great.
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