Is the SRAM X.5 rear derailleur crap?

AlexDeLarge · Sep 26, 2010

I have one on my almost-year old Piranha. It's been in the LBS a few times for minor adjustments during the break-in period, and the X.5 has been a constant irritant. It hasn't been thrashed or abused.
The problem is that when ascending a hill, I'll downshift from 5 to 4 or 4 to 3. The chain moves to the desired cog, and after a few pedal turns, the chain slips off and moves to the next lowest gear. Has anyone else had this problem?
The LBS tech is very good, but having this continue to happen makes me think this is just a low-end P.O.S. to keep the bike at a low price.
Is it a matter of more adjustment, or should I consider an upgrade. If so, to what?

rlouder · Sep 26, 2010

I wouldn't jump to that conclusion too quick. Smooth shifting depends on several things. I always check the cable, hanger, and chain. Also, people usually find a more noticeable improvement from upgrading shifters instead of the der. The der. is just a dummy device in that it moves when and where the shifter tell it.

ae111black · Sep 27, 2010

I've had an x5 Rear D on my Rockhopper from day one I keep it clean and lubed but it get's ridden hard every day and still shifts flawlessly and BTW my RH is a '05 dont blame the rear Derailleur unless it's bent or somthing.... I'd look @ the person tuning it or @ the Shifter. Also Mine's shifted by a X7 Shifter 9spd.

frdfandc · Sep 27, 2010

Its not a POS. X5 is decent stuff. Not expensive and works well when setup properly. Its either going to be an adjustment, or my bet would be a derailleur hanger is slightly tweaked.

Sid Nitzerglobin · Sep 27, 2010

Only time I've had an issue w/ the X5 RD is when I had a sticky cable, a stiff link or had inadvertently spun a barrel adjuster.

Seems to shift much more reliably (albeit more mechanically) than the 105 on my road bike.

AlexDeLarge · Sep 27, 2010

Thanks guys. It's going to the LBS this week for a tuneup and I'll ask them to pay more attention to the mentioned areas.

DeeEight · Sep 28, 2010

Its the SRAM equivalent to alivio... what are you expecting?

b-kul · Sep 28, 2010

DeeEight said:
Its the SRAM equivalent to alivio... what are you expecting?

so that would make x7 comprable to deore and x9 like slx? no way, x5 is pretty good, a bit better than deore level stuff id wager.

frdfandc · Sep 28, 2010

X0 - XTR
X9 - XT
X7 - SLX/LX
X5 - Deore
X4 - Alivio
X3 - Acera

S_Trek · Sep 29, 2010

My X5 is like a timex watch!

S_Trek · Sep 29, 2010

frdfandc said:
X0 - XTR
X9 - XT
X7 - SLX/LX
X5 - Deore
X4 - Alivio
X3 - Acera

I think you've got the X7 and X9 mixed up

b-kul · Sep 29, 2010

S_Trek said:
I think you've got the X7 and X9 mixed up

how dou you figure? xt is better than slx and x9 is better than x7.

S_Trek · Sep 29, 2010

b-kul said:
how dou you figure? xt is better than slx and x9 is better than x7.

Riders reviews, I keep hearing "Ghost Shifting" "Weak Springs" "Need to tune weekly" = X9 & XT.
The X7 just seems to be the more solid, tried and proven of the bunch. The only weakest comments on the X7 was weight.

b-kul · Sep 29, 2010

S_Trek said:
Riders reviews, I keep hearing "Ghost Shifting" "Weak Springs" "Need to tune weekly" = X9 & XT.
The X7 just seems to be the more solid, tried and proven of the bunch. The only weakest comments on the X7 was weight.

oh yeah, i think there was just a bad run of them.

Is the SRAM X.5 rear derailleur crap?

AlexDeLarge

rlouder

ae111black

frdfandc

Sid Nitzerglobin

AlexDeLarge

DeeEight

b-kul

frdfandc

S_Trek

S_Trek

b-kul

S_Trek

b-kul

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