The bicycle derailleur is a component that often goes overlooked by cyclists and is often not given the attention it deserves. However, a bike’s derailleur is one of the most important components on the bike, affecting the bike’s performance in a major way. While it may not be the most exciting component to talk about, it’s something you should definitely put some serious thought into before buying a bike.
In this guide, we’ll cover all the important things to know when shopping for a rear bike derailleur.
Read on to learn more.
Our Editor’s Best Rear Bike Derailleurs Reviews
- Model: Bicycle rear derailleur RD-TY21B, suitable for 6 speed and 7 speed SIS index variable speed drives
- Hanger installation: Before purchasing, please confirm whether the rear derailleur of your bicycle is directly installed or hook mounted(hanger mount).
- High-quality material: Made of durable aluminum alloy material, which ensures your safe and stable on the ride, not easily deformed and pretty solid
- Wide application: This bicycle transmission is suitable for variable speed bikes, mountain bikes, road bikes, bicycle racing, city bikes, folding bikes, etc.
- Professional customer service: If you have any questions about our products or services, please feel free to contact us, we will provide you with our professional service
- Model: RD-TY300-SGS; Bike Rear Derailleur 6/7 Speed for most kinds of bikes like mountain bike, hybrid bike, kids bike, cruiser bike etc.
- Features: Smooth shifting, easy and fast to install. Bracket fit (under wheel nut) Long cage tourney derailleur, total capacity 43T, pulley/Teeth 13/13T. Low sprocket: Max. 34T; Low sprocket: Min. 28T; Top sprocket: Max. 14T; Top sprocket: Min. 11T.
- Stability: Made of high quality durable aluminum alloy material and come with excellent shifting performance ensure your safe and stable while riding.
- Application: Compatible with 6 and 7-speed SIS INDEX variable speed transmission systems. Suitable for MTB, mountain bikes, road bikes, folding bicycles, commuter bikes, tricycles, eletric bikes etc.
- Type: Long cage tourney derailleur, compatible with 11T /14T high speed gear.
- MODEL: RD-TY21B Black Rear Derailleur,Suitable for 6/7speed.
- PERFORMANCE:Forged with high hardness aluminum alloy.The hollow weight-reduction design is adopted,and the speed change is more stable.
- PRECISE ADJUSTMENT: High-hardness aluminum alloy body adjustment, adjustment is more precise. It can be adjusted slightly in multiple places to ensure accurate speed change performance.
- INSTALLATION:Fast and convenient installation and easy maintenance.(Note:The bike rear derailleur is hub bolt mount,not direct mount .Please check the mount type of the original part before ordering.)
- SCOPE OF APPLICATION:Suitable for mountain bikes, station wagons, folding bikes, etc.If you have any questions,please feel free to contact us.We will provide timely response and quality service.
- Model：RD-TY21B rear derailleur compatible with 6/7 speed mountain bikes.
- Note:The rear derailleur is direct mount,not hub bolt mount .Please check the mount type of the original part before ordering.
- Stability: With aluminum alloy material and excellent shifting performance ensure safe and stable riding.
- Wide application: Rear derailleur is easy to use and maintain.Suitable for MTB,mountain bikes, road bikes, folding bicycles and so on.
- Important: Please feel free to contact if you have any questions, we will provide quality service.
- Chain Wrap Capacity: 43teeth, Derailleur Action: Top-Normal (Traditional)
- Derailleur Color: black, Drivetrain Spacing: Shimano/SRAM 8, Largest Cog: 34teeth
- Shifter/Rear Derailleur : Shimano, Speeds: 8sp, Weight: 326g
- MODEL:RD-TY300 Rear Derailleur,Suitable for 6/7/8 speed.
- PERFORMANCE:Forged with high hardness aluminum alloy.The hollow weight-reduction design is adopted,and the speed change is more stable.
- PRECISE ADJUSTMENT: High-hardness aluminum alloy body adjustment, adjustment is more precise. It can be adjusted slightly in multiple places to ensure accurate speed change performance.
- INSTALLATION:Fast and convenient installation and easy maintenance.(Note:The rear derailleur is directly mount,not hub bolt mount.Please check the mount type of the original parts before ordering.)
- SCOPE OF APPLICATION:Suitable for mountain bikes, station wagons, folding bikes, etc.If you have any questions,please feel free to contact us.We will provide timely response and quality service.
- MODEL: RD-TZ31-A bike rear derailleur, Compatible with GS 6 / 7 speed SIS Index Shifting drivetrains.
- STABILITY: Durable aluminum alloy and plastic alloy material, Providing excellent shifting performance ensure safe and stable.
- PARM: Total capacity 34T, Largest sprocket 28T, Smallest sprocket 14T, Front chain wheel tooth difference 20T.
- NOTE: The bike rear derailleur is direct mount, not hub bolt mount. Please check the mount type of the original part before ordering, if bike frame with hook, as picture shows, you can use it.
- COMPATIBILITY: Suitable for mountain bikes, road bikes, folding bicycles and so on.
- 【Model】RD-TY300-SGS; Bike Rear Derailleur 6/7 Speed for most kinds of bikes like mountain bike, hybrid bike, kids bike, cruiser bike etc.
- 【Features】 Smooth shifting, easy and fast to install. Bracket fit (under wheel nut) Long cage tourney derailleur, total capacity 43T, pulley/Teeth 13/13T. Low sprocket: Max. 34T; Low sprocket: Min. 28T; Top sprocket: Max. 14T; Top sprocket: Min. 11T.
- 【Type】Long cage tourney derailleur, compatible with 11T /14T high speed gear.
- 【 Stability】 Made of high quality durable aluminum alloy material and come with excellent shifting performance ensure your safe and stable while riding.
- 【Application】 Compatible with 6 and 7-speed SIS INDEX variable speed transmission systems. Suitable for MTB, mountain bikes, road bikes, folding bicycles, commuter bikes, tricycles, eletric bikes etc.
- Model: Bicycle rear derailleur RD-TZ31-A,suitable for 6 speed and 7 speed SIS index variable speed drives.
- Hanger mount: The installation method is hanger mount(hook holder), NOT direct mount
- High-quality material: Made of high-quality steel, sturdy and durable, not easily deformed and not easily damaged.
- Wonderful performance: The guide wheel of the rear derailleur is smooth and silent, the shifting is smooth, and the chain will not be damaged, making the riding easy and comfortable.
- Wide application: This bicycle transmission is suitable for variable speed bikes, mountain bikes, road bikes, bicycle racing, city bikes, folding bikes, etc.
- [IMPORTANT] It's Direct Mount Rear Derailleur for Mountain Bike, not Hanger mount
Best Rear Bike Derailleurs Buying Guide
Before choosing the best rear bike derailleurs you should consider following options:
1. Rear Derailleur Capacity: You’ll want to make sure you choose a derailleur that has enough capacity to support the chainrings and cassette you intend to use.
The numerical value on a derailleur is expressed as a number. The first number is the percentage of the total chainring capacity the derailleur is designed to support.
So, a derailleur with a capacity of 28 is designed to support 28% of the chainring capacity.
A derailleur with a capacity of 28 will support chainrings up to 32-tooth in the smallest chainring and 17-tooth in the largest chainring.
You’ll also see a second number on some derailleurs expressed as a ratio. So, a derailleur with a capacity of 28-tooth is sometimes expressed as 1:2.
What this means is the derailleur is designed to support 28% of the chainring capacity with a 14/28 combo.
The second number represents the chainring capacity the derailleur is intended to support divided by the total chainring capacity. So, in this example, the derailleur is designed to support 28% of the chainring capacity with a 14/28 combo.
2. Rear Derailleur Capacity: You’ll want to make sure you choose a derailleur that has enough capacity to support the chainrings and cassette you intend to use.
The numerical value on a derailleur is expressed as a number. The first number is the percentage of the total chainring capacity the derailleur is designed to support.
So, a derailleur with a capacity of 28 is designed to support 28% of the chainring capacity.
A derailleur with a capacity of 28 will support chainrings up to 32-tooth in the smallest chainring and 17-tooth in the largest chainring.
You’ll also see a second number on some derailleurs expressed as a ratio. So, a derailleur with a capacity of 28-tooth is sometimes expressed as 1:2.
What this means is the derailleur is designed to support 28% of the chainring capacity with a 14/28 combo.
The second number represents the chainring capacity the derailleur is intended to support divided by the total chainring capacity. So, in this example, the derailleur is designed to support 28% of the chainring capacity with a 14/28 combo.
3. Body Material: Most derailleurs are made from aluminum or steel, but there are some made from carbon.
The advantage of a derailleur made from carbon is that it weighs less than steel or aluminum. The disadvantage is that they are more expensive.
4. Cage Material: Most derailleurs are designed with either a steel or titanium cage. The advantage of a steel cage is that they offer a more durable and rigid feel. The disadvantage is that they weigh more than titanium cages.
The advantage of a titanium cage is that they are lighter. The disadvantage is that they don’t feel as rigid.
What else you should know about rear bike derailleurs
1. What are the best rear bike derailleurs?
Some of the best rear bike derailleurs are made by Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo. These companies make derailleurs that are designed to work with their own respective drivetrains, so it is important to make sure that the derailleur you choose is compatible with the components on your bike. Shimano and SRAM derailleurs are generally considered to be the best performing, while Campagnolo derailleurs are known for their durability and ease of maintenance.
2. How do I choose a rear bike derailleur?
The size of your rear derailleur will be dictated by the number of cogs (speeds) on your rear cassette. You will need a derailleur that is compatible with the number of cogs on your rear cassette. Additionally, you will need to make sure that the derailleur is compatible with the number of gears (speeds) on your shifters.
3. What are the features of a good rear bike derailleur?
The features of a good rear bike derailleur are that it is lightweight, has low friction, and is durable.
4. How do I install a rear bike derailleur?
1. Unscrew and remove the rear wheel of your bike.
2. Unscrew the derailleur hanger from the frame of the bike.
3. Place the new derailleur hanger onto the frame and screw it in tightly.
4. Attach the derailleur to the hanger.
5. Screw the rear wheel back onto the bike.
5. How do I adjust a rear bike derailleur?
To adjust a rear bike derailleur, you will need to turn the adjusting barrel clockwise to tighten the cable, or counterclockwise to loosen the cable.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best rear bike derailleurs. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best rear bike derailleurs will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.