Image: MomJunction Design Team
Getting the best derailleurs installed is the first step towards ensuring a seamless and secure journey on your bike. And as the most important thing you should consider when taking your bike out on the road is safety, you would want to make sure the bike is durable, the gears shift properly, and you are well-protected against mechanical failures.
A derailleur not only shields you against accidents but also keeps your two-wheeler functioning smoothly and helps you fall even more in love with your ride. You need to consider several things when choosing the right derailleur for your vehicle for better ride quality. Thus, we’ve filtered through various options and compiled a list of the most efficient and best-selling bike derailleurs. Keep scrolling.
Top Picks
10 Best Bike Derailleurs In 2024
1. Best Easy-To-Install:Shimano Altus Mountain Bike Rear Derailleur
You may opt for this product if you are looking for a classy derailleur for a mountain bike. With 43 teeth as its chain wrap capacity and top-normal derailleur action, this Shimano Altus rear derailleur turns out to be one of the most efficient derailleurs for bikes. What we love the most is that the parts of this derailleur are made of black metal and not plastic, which makes shifting swift, quiet, and smooth without getting damaged. It can be quickly installed and adjusted, and its eight-speed feature makes it highly suitable for city use and mountain sports, giving it a competitive edge. Check out this video, where the reviewer tests the product for his bike, to learn more about the product.
Pros
- Made of alloy material
- Double serve pantograph technology
- Resists weather and contamination
- Allows effortless gear changing
Cons
- Threaded axle screw may become loose
- May jam if not assembled well
"Having installed and tested several derailleurs, this one offers a reliable performance. The initial adjustments could be cumbersome for a beginner, but otherwise, it ensures smooth and reliable shifting,"
2. Best Lightweight:Sram GX Eagle Aluminum And Steel Rear Derailleur
Image: Sram If you are looking for a lightweight, long-lasting rear derailleur for bikes, Sram GX Eagle derailleur may be the right choice! With its efficient and improved cage design, it ensures better chain retention and gear shifts on command. This 12-speed derailleur, with its generous cage length and smooth design, can accommodate a 10-50T cassette to give you a comfortable pedal journey. With added beneficial features of cage lock and roller-bearing clutch, it guarantees durability and efficiency. It is available in different dimensions to meet your requirements. Plus, the X-actuation trigger shifter feature makes shifting much easier, eliminating any trail scraps. To learn more about the tried-and-tested clutch derailleur, check out this review video.
Pros
- Backwards compatible
- Sleek design
- Has steel pulley cage bearing material
- Compatible with all colors
- Lightweight aluminum cage
Cons
- May bend with use
"The metal construction of this model is perfect for my e-mountain bike. Setting it up isn't a walk in the park, but it's manageable. Once installed, it offers smooth performance and requires minimal adjustment."
Quick tipTo keep your derailleur clean, soak it in a container filled with degreaser for about ten minutes before scrubbing it with a brush and drying it.
3. Best Convenient:Sram X-Horizon Rear Derailleur
Are you worried about noise and stiff chain movements? Here is a solution! With this Sram X-Horizon Rear Derailleur being integrated with the pulleys, chain tensions are taken care of by directing the movement to the horizontal axis. What makes this product unique is its pulley offsets and 12-tooth X-sync wheels. These pulleys tend to manage the cage length with the chain movement better than the traditional pulleys. It is also equipped with the roller-bearing clutch to avoid derailleur failures and cage-lock system, making installation, adjustment, and removal of derailleur convenient. The X-actuation ensures the right gear ratio, particularly for SRAM 1x, to ensure crisp shifting throughout the cassette with minimal effort. With all these above features, this 11-speed bike derailleur stands out as one of the most trusted options. Take a look at this product review video to get more information on the product.
Pros
- Minimize shift force and chain slap
- Doesn’t damage spoke
- Easy to shift even on muddy roads
- Consistent and crisp shifting
Cons
- May not have a barrel adjuster
- May be slightly heavy
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Do not miss out on this product that has earned 123 positive reviews on Amazon.
Shimano Altus Mountain Bike Rear Derailleur Best Easy-To-Install | Sram GX Eagle Aluminum And Steel Rear Derailleur Best Lightweight | Sram X-Horizon Rear Derailleur Best Convenient | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Metal | - | - |
| Color | Black | Black | Black |
| Weight | 50 Grams | 440 Grams | 0.4 Kilograms |
| Dimensions LxWxH | 6.3 x 6.3 x 4.72 inches | 2.95 x 2.95 x 8.03 inches | 3.15 x 3.15 x 9.84 inches |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 941 | 80 | 123 |
| Price | $13.75 | $135 | $68.19 |
4. Best Simple:VGEBY Bicycle And Mountain Bike Transmission Rear Derailleur
Fit your bicycle/bike with a super cool derailleur such as this one for you to flaunt to others. This bicycle and mountain bike derailleur by Vgeby is designed in an impressive and elegant manner with high-quality and strong materials to ensure longevity. Being a well-built bike derailleur, it efficiently works with the chainrings and adjusts to the chain length accordingly. It is easy to install and remove, considering its simple design. This derailleur is compatible with 7- and 21-speed bikes.
Pros
- Offers long service life
- Smooth running
- Provides a great user experience
- Suitable for mountain and road bikes
Cons
- Some parts may be a tad flimsy
5. Best Aluminum Alloy:Totmox RD-M390 Acera Rear Derailleur
The RD-M390 Acera Rear Derailleur by Totmox is considered to be one of the best derailleurs for bikes because of its aluminum alloy components, which ensure its durability and performance. This tried-and-tested 9-speed bike derailleur or 27-speed black rear bike derailleur is equipped with a dual servo structure for enhanced speed, smooth brake, and precise shifting. It makes the perfect choice for bikes with tooth capacity ranging from 28 to 34T and comes with a concave wheel screw for convenience. Weighing 9.9 oz, it is suitable for sports and outdoor travels.
Pros
- Extends the service
- Suitable for commuter mountain bike and folding bike
- Wide connection design
- Low-key concept
Cons
- Logo may fade
- May not be scratch-resistant
"I bought this derailleur as a replacement for the one I used earlier, and I'm impressed. It may not be a great option for intensive uses, such as mountain biking, but for those not looking to splurge, this is a good choice."
6. Best Ten-Speed:Shimano Deore Mountain Bicycle Rear Derailleur RD-M6000
If you are a person who loves frequent trail riding, then this mountain bicycle rear derailleur by Shimano should be your go-to choice! With its enhanced drivetrain technology along with optislick wire and DYNA-SYS, it can be surely trusted for forest/mountain riding at ease. It is also equipped with optimized gear ratio and chain wrap capacity facilitating proper shifting even on uneven roads and pathways. This ten-speed bike derailleur smoothly shifts to all the ten cogs on the 11-42 cassette, minimizing difficulty regarding gear shifts.
Pros
- Improves stability
- Wide-range cassette compatible
- Improved construction
- Conventional mount direct attachment
- High-efficiency drive train for aggressive riding
Cons
- May not have replacement screws
- May require regular maintenance
"I noticed a smooth transition and reliable performance after replacing my bike’s older derailleur with this one. For those purchasing this, ensure it is compatible with your components."
7. Best Durable:Dilwe Bicycle/Mountain And Road Bike Rear Derailleur
Every bike deserves a high-quality derailleur for its durability and performance! Here is one such road bike derailleur by Dilwe. Known for its enhanced design and good quality, it controls the chain movements easily and ensures precise shifting. One of the most exciting features of this bike rear derailleur is that it manages proper gear ratios even under heavy load and acceleration. Compatible with 7- or 21-speed mountain bikes, this user-tested device is an exquisite metal-designed long cage bike derailleur with appropriate tooth capacity.
Pros
- Beautiful color collocation
- Offers a wide range of gear
- Accurate teeth
- Easy to install
Cons
- Mounting hole may be small
- Mounting nut may be hard to tighten
"I like the straightforward setup and precise fit of this accessory on my mountain bike. Adjusting it is a breeze, and the quality is solid. So far, it's functioning flawlessly."
Quick tipTo reveal any damage on the derailleur, pull laterally on the bottom cage. Invest in a new derailleur if the pivots and connections cause erratic shifting.
8. Best Direct-Mount Transmission:LINUGR Mountain Bike Rear Derailleur
Do you prefer longevity over appearance or presentation? Then, this mountain bike rear derailleur by LINUGR may be an excellent choice! The installation of this bike derailleur is not difficult as it uses direct mount rear transmission instead of a suspended one. This is best suited for 6 and 7-speed mountain bikes with aluminum alloy components. With a rear dialler equipped in this derailleur, durability and excellent performance are ensured.
9. Best With Drivetrain System:microShift Advent Rear Derailleur With Clutch
Trail riding could be dangerous without the right bike derailleur. This clutch-equipped derailleur is designed with a microShift Advent rear and an enhanced drivetrain system, taking into consideration the requirements of a trail rider. The components of this derailleur ensure crisp and precise shifting in all levels of gear ratios. The ratchet and pawl clutch equipped along the derailleur paves the path for smooth and regular chain movement with proper positioning of chainrings even on rough and muddy lands. This nine-speed clutch derailleur for bikes with a chain wrap capacity of 11-46T is perhaps the best choice for outdoor adventures.
Pros
- Easily adjustable and repairable
- Easy to install
- Direct path cable routing
- Consistent spring tension
Cons
- May have big gaps between gears
- Only compatible with Advent shifters
"I love this one for its good clutch mechanism and crisp shifting. And interestingly, it meshes well with components from different brands."
10. Best Adjustable:Zukka Bike Rear Derailleur
Compatible with six- and seven-speed SIS Index-shifting drivetrains, this rear derailleur is suitable for mountain, road, city, variable speed, and folding bikes. It is made of high-quality, sturdy steel and other materials to ensure long-lasting performance. The time-tested derailleur also works with friction shifters and a hub bolt mount for a smooth ride.
Pros
- Accurate gears offer light and stable shifts
- Easy to install and disassemble
- Adjustable
- Suitable for heavy-duty use
Cons
- May not be scratch-resistant
- Return spring may not be strong enough
"I replaced the bent derailleur with this model in my child's bike, and it functions well. Although the installation was easy, I could do with detailed instructions. I would recommend this one for casual riding."
How To Choose The Right Derailleur?
These are a few factors you need to consider before buying the right derailleur for your bike.
- Durability: Whether you’re looking for a new rear/front derailleur or a replacement, longevity is one of the first factors that you need to be particular about. Aluminum or steel may be more long-lasting than plastic ones (although, it also depends on the brand and quality). Also, it is always best to go for field-tested options that come with quality assurance. Moreover, the more durable it is, the more satisfied and comfortable you will be; thus, try to choose your product after ensuring its durability and
- Gear ratio: Before purchasing a new bike derailleur, assess the number of gears that your setup can manage. If you are just replacing a broken/old one, you need to count the cogs in your cassette and ensure that the speed of the bike derailleur matches the speed of the shifter. When the right gear ratio isn’t ensured, you will end up breaking the rear/front derailleur.
- Cage length: The cage length is the distance between the upper and lower pulleys of a rear/front derailleur. Deciding on the best derailleur according to the cage length determines the speed, range, and shifting of your bike. Cage lengths are of three categories — short (SS), medium (GS), and long (SGS). Usually, mountain and trail bikes have high gear ratios, and thus long/medium cage derailleurs are preferred. Short cage bike derailleurs are good options for road bikes with double chainsets.
- Mode of gear shift: Several products offer mechanical and electronic shifting. If you opt for electronic shifting, you need to choose a front derailleur with compatible gears and brake. The major difference between the modes is shifting movements. Electronic bike derailleurs offer more precise shifting than mechanical ones.
- Tooth capacity: Tooth capacity refers to the difference between the smallest and largest cogs, which is then subtracted from the difference between the smallest and largest chainrings at the front. This represents the capacity of the derailleur with regards to the chain slack or movement After assessing this, you need to purchase a rear/front derailleur that would fit your setup.
- Clutch: Clutch ensures precise shifting and chain movement even on bumps and muddy lands. Thus, rear/front derailleurs with a clutch would be best suited for trail and mountain bikes rather than road bikes. You need to make a choice according to your needs and current setup!
- Weight: The derailleur that you opt for must weigh in a way that is compatible with your bike/bicycle’s weight. Usually, mountain bike riders can go for a lower weighted derailleur for better control and command on rough terrain. In contrast, road bikers can have a slightly increased weighted derailleur. Lightweight bike derailleurs are the best option for trail riders and racers.
- Brand: It is ideal to opt for quality-tested bike derailleurs from brands that showcase in-depth expertise in manufacturing durable bike derailleurs for superior performance.
Sam Lawrence, a cycling fanatic, reviewer of e-bikes, and professional bike mechanic, says, “The derailleur should be compatible with your bike in terms of weight and speed. It should also be easy to install and adjust. Many bike derailleurs are very complex to set up and may leave you frustrated. Check their mechanism, technology used, and other equipped features for an easy and simplified installation, adjustment, and removal.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are all derailleurs the same?
No, not all derailleurs may fit all bikes alike. Certain derailleurs are specific only to certain bike models and cassette ranges. Some ten-speed bike derailleurs with 11-42T cassette configurations may be compatible with a wide range of bikes
2. How long does a rear derailleur last?
Most reputed and well-made rear bike derailleurs are sturdy enough to last for many years at a stretch, provided they are maintained properly.
3. How do I know if my rear derailleur is worn out?
If any component of the rear derailleur, such as the pivot joint, springs, hanger, or chain guide wheels is sloppy, loose, worn, or bent, it’s time to replace your current derailleur with a new one.
4. How do I stop my rear derailleur from skipping?
That solution depends on what’s causing the derailleur to skip or jump. The most common reasons include a bent hanger that needs to be straightened, or stretched out gear-changing cables that need the tension to be tweaked.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Dérailleurs ensure the smooth functioning and safety of your bikes. To help you choose the best derailleur, Sristi Suman, a writer and reviewer of adventure sports and games gear, has utilized her knowledge to provide you with the best. After analyzing all the best-selling options trending in the market, she chose only the top reviewer-tested ones and covered important points such as longevity, gear ratio, weight, installation, and other features of the products. A thorough read of the article will provide useful insights and make your buying experience more enjoyable.
The Bottom Line
Installing derailleurs can make your bicycle riding experience safe and secure. However, finding the best derailleurs can be a draining task since there are plenty of options available in the market. So, pick one that is made from steel and is long-lasting. Top picks include the Shimano Altus Mountain Bike Rear Derailleur, suitable for city and mountain sports, and the Sram GX Eagle Rear Derailleur, offering precise gear shifts and 12-speed variations. Before purchasing, consider factors like longevity, gear ratio, cage length, and weight. Derailleurs vary in size and structure depending on whether you have a mainstream bicycle or a geared bicycle. You can go for a derailleur that is easy to install or get it installed by a mechanic.
Infographic: What Are The Various Kinds Of Bike Derailleurs?
Bike derailleurs enable riders to shift gears smoothly and efficiently to navigate various terrains. Understanding the different types of derailleurs can help you choose the most suitable one for your needs. Check out the infographic below to discover the basic types of bike derailleurs and their distinct features. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
