I upgraded a bunch of components at once, including wheels, shifters, derailleurs, brakes. The sum total of it all is a much better ride. Would any one change make a difference? Maybe, but not the derailleur by itself. The wheels would be lighter with better rims, but the dynamo front takes away any weight advantage. The brakes OTOH are a real change, much better than the cheap canti's they replaced. But does that make the ride feel better? Nope. But as a whole package it is a much more enjoyable bike to ride. It just feels like a new bike instead of the 1990 clunker that it was.