[x.Jason]

I figure I will start of with what I ride, a 2008 Specialized Pitch Comp. Okay, so today was the the last draw on my rear derailleur. It broke. The plus side is I can now justify to the wife unit about buying a new one. I know all about maintenance and setting up a derailleur but I know next to nothing about which model is better than the next. I came here looking for some help. I do mostly "All Mountain" riding. Meaning one day its XC with the wife and the next its jumping on a shuttle to do some downhill. I have no clue if I need a large, med, or small derailleur or what manufacturer performs better. Please help!

 

[mtnbiker72]

Since you have SRAM X-5 nine speed shifters, you will need to buy a nine speed SRAM rear derailluer. And there really is no advantage buying above an X-7 so I'd just stick with that. If your running a triple crankset then stick with a long cage. If you are running a double with a bash ring or something like that then a mid cage is a good choice.

 

[x.Jason]

Thank you, This helps alot

 

[x.Jason]

I spent some time browsing the interwebs looking for replacement parts but I think the bug bit me hard and I am now looking at replacing my entire drive train. So far I am looking at
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/CR267A11-Race+Face+Turbine+Ss+Crankset.aspx

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/RD283A03-Sram+X9+9+Speed+Rear+Derailleur+10.aspx

The X9 is at a really good price on Jensons and is compatible with my stock shifter. I was looking at buying new shifters but they come in sets and I only need the one (I ride 1x9). Will I notice anything performance wise if I do not change this out?

Please tell me what you think. Good, Bad, Should I just sell my bike and ride the couch? lol

I do enjoy climbing as much as I do going downhill so If I can find a way to start taking some weight off my bike for a decent price I am sure that would help a lot. I have about a 600 dollar budget for a drive train. Any ideas on some solid upgrades?

 

[jeffgre_6163]

The X9 is at a really good price on Jensons and is compatible with my stock shifter. I was looking at buying new shifters but they come in sets and I only need the one (I ride 1x9). Will I notice anything performance wise if I do not change this out?

X9 triggers do perform better than X7 [I have had both] they are crisper, smoother and they have a bit of extra bling factor if that counts.

X7 and X9 rear derailleurs are essentialy the same, you wont notice a performance difference [the X9 does have cartidge bearings in the jockey wheels, why, who knows], but the X9 is lighter due to an alloy cage compared to steel on the X7.
However, I have personally found the X9 to be less durable, I have seen two break inner jockey wheel cages, including one of my own, in recent weeks for no apparent reason and as you cant get the part seperately the derailleur is toast.
My bike with X9 is pretty close to top of the line but I will not be replacing the X9, for a few extra grams i think the X7 will last longer.
I hope this helps.

 

[x.Jason]

Thank you for the info. I guess an x7 will be what I am purchasing. I have one more issue and I was going to wait to ask but here goes. Upon disassembling my bike a couple days ago I notice that some of the gears on my cassette were loose. About a 1/4 inch of play forward and back. I don't have the tool to remove the cassette from the wheel( maybe ill pick one up today) but does anyone have an idea of the cause?

 

[A-Ray]

I just ordered an X.9 Rear Medium Cage and X.9 Trigger combo for $149.99 on Pricepoint.
Could not find a better price anywhere else.
I had Shimano XT, but destroyed that bad boy on Sunday

 

[jeffgre_6163]

I just ordered an X.9 Rear Medium Cage and X.9 Trigger combo for $149.99 on Pricepoint.
Could not find a better price anywhere else.
I had Shimano XT, but destroyed that bad boy on Sunday

I know its too late now, but by the looks of that derailleur its repairable, only the jockey wheel cage is stuffed.
Shimano sell individual parts for their XT and XTR components.
It may have cost you $40 for both halves of a new jockey wheel cage

 

[jeffgre_6163]

Thank you for the info. I guess an x7 will be what I am purchasing. I have one more issue and I was going to wait to ask but here goes. Upon disassembling my bike a couple days ago I notice that some of the gears on my cassette were loose. About a 1/4 inch of play forward and back. I don't have the tool to remove the cassette from the wheel( maybe ill pick one up today) but does anyone have an idea of the cause?

The individual cogs on the cassette are often not fixed together as a set.
Often it is a case of the top five or so being fixed together with the bottom [small] four being loose that will come off individually with spacers between when the cassette is removed, depending on the model of the cassette.
Having said that, they should not move forwards and backwards on the free hub if the lock nut is done up correctly and the free hub is not worn.
To remove the cassette you will need a chain whip and the special lock nut tool from the LBS, total all up should be around $30.
A worth while investment if you intend to do a lot of your own maintenance.
Pull it apart and check the wear on all components to determine the cause of the loose cogs

 

[A-Ray]

I know it may look like it, but... this thing is not repairable, that picture looks a bit better than it is, it got bent up and over the cassette and lodged into my spokes, The mounting area is also bent, as is the mounting bolt. Not to rip on Shimano, but I had that rear der adjusted 3 or 4 times because of terrible ghost shifting issues as well, so I am a little happy to see it go. I had SRAM X-7's on my last bike and in 2 years of beating the crap out of it, never had a single issue.

 

[x.Jason]

The individual cogs on the cassette are often not fixed together as a set.
Often it is a case of the top five or so being fixed together with the bottom [small] four being loose that will come off individually with spacers between when the cassette is removed, depending on the model of the cassette.
Having said that, they should not move forwards and backwards on the free hub if the lock nut is done up correctly and the free hub is not worn.
To remove the cassette you will need a chain whip and the special lock nut tool from the LBS, total all up should be around $30.
A worth while investment if you intend to do a lot of your own maintenance.
Pull it apart and check the wear on all components to determine the cause of the loose cogs

Well I pulled it apart last night. I am familiar with the tools I just never bothered to buy them yet. The lbs was always so friendly to let me use theirs. Anyhow it looks like the hub is worn out. I have two years of hard riding on this bike with out a whole lot of component changes/upgrades. Wheels are on my list but I can only afford one upgrade at a time right now, I don't own a credit card so no impulse buys for me. Thank you for the reply.

 

[x.Jason]

I just ordered an X.9 Rear Medium Cage and X.9 Trigger combo for $149.99 on Pricepoint.
Could not find a better price anywhere else.
I had Shimano XT, but destroyed that bad boy on Sunday

This sounds like a good deal. I haven't ordered anything yet. Waiting till payday this friday. When you ordered the shifters, did they come as a set or just the one for the rear derailuer?