This Cheap Derailleur Is TOO Good

A look at a way underrated rear derailleur.
www.rivbike.com/products/dera...
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[@JustAnotherHo]

Modern "low" end components are simply amazing. Robust and affordable.

[@michalwiktorow2188]

In that case if you've checked XTR you would probably say that this is for the lifetime part (and if not raced, probably is..). If you want to know, yes ... there is a difference, slight but it exist and no kind of trickery-magic can reverse ones approach to XTR as soon as you have privilege to test them thoroughly. BTW Shimano is way cheaper in EU than SRAM :/ sorry.

[@oreocarlton3343]

Disagree, shimanos off-road low-end is dogshit

[@gregavolk]

@@michalwiktorow2188 That's why I'm always so surprised about these prices, a Deore 2x RD-M5120 is also 30 eur and has a clutch.

[@amin4993]

Trickledown Economics? Not so much. Trickledown Technology? Hell Yeah.

[@greggr1591]

"And the reason why this works is because of course I'm using a friction shifter." Tell it Russ.

[@bonusmagus]

One upvote and I’ll put this on a 2020 madone SLR.

[@coreyreeder3549]

Pics or it didn’t happen

[@soothingsoulwind]

Upload the vid soon 😂

[@wjlasloThe2nd]

44 upvotes and you'll put them on 44 madone SLRs?

[@raOdhiOnal]

Give me pic!

[@leonwrede9213]

2020? I'm sorry your practice is going so badly

[@the_joe_reynolds_foundation]

I’ve worked in high end shops installing the fanciest of stuff, but never did I get more excited than when Shimano would release a new bargain bin group set. It’s always amazing to see how much old school high tech can be squeezed into a sub-$40 derailleur.

[@stevenpreston8403]

Very happy Acera user here 😊 have one on my cross check running 10 speed, wide range double. Cost £15 ( UK). Now I feel vindicated, PLP seal of approval 😊

[@Ginanjarmp]

10 sp 11-42? Curious to try on mine, currently my chainring is 42t

[@aminabellalvaradoaguero9190]

Where!!?? Am trying to upgrade my bend 3by 8 and it seems I have to go Chinese just to justify to throwing the bike away

[@markymarknj]

I'm another happy Acera user in the US. Both the front and rear derailleurs on my 1999 MTB are the original Acera s that came with it. After 25 years, they're STILL doing the job! Why would I change?

[@YuichiTamaki]

With all my cheap bike I never had a single problem regarding shifting. This Acera/Alivio drivetrains works so reliably. My guess for them to have a bad reputation might be because all the beginner users who buy entry level components and don't know how to operate or maintain the bike correctly.

[@Glebaka]

They work great but usually not very long bcs of cheaper parts and worse serviceability in comp. with pricier parts

[@oreocarlton3343]

Yeah, they wear out quickly

[@YuichiTamaki]

@@Glebaka Talking from my experience Alivio RD-M3100-SGS 9 speed and Acera RD-M360-L/S are perfectly serviceable and they cheaper not because of the "low quality materials" they are made of steel!!! The pricing as everything high performance is about the weight. My main bike has a complete 105 groupset and I have been impressed by the cheaper offerings for what they are.

[@Glebaka]

@@YuichiTamaki i have sora r3000 rd , and for exmpl i can't service arm spring bcs its riveted,

[@YuichiTamaki]

@@Glebaka Yes you are correct, in the ones I mentioned it is the same, to clean them I just put the derailleur inside a container with degreaser and shake it until all the gunk is disolved. then proceed to oil everything back. Now it you are losing spring tension that's a different story and I can agree with you. But if you can get 2 years of daily commute for a 25 dollars piece I call it a win.

[@auronprowers]

*sees blurred image and gets curious* *clicks on vid to find its the same derailleur I just put on my MTB like 2 weeks ago* Yes i can attest that it is a nice derailleur for the price.

[@englishwithtimusa]

For many years, mountain bikers rode derailleurs without clutches and nobody complained about dropped chains. People sure do ride harder today than they did before clutches came out, but I think for most people a clutch is only needed because we've gone 1x.

[@jellyfishsalad5926]

And maybe dual suspension needs a clutch more than gravel does.

[@Saftkeur]

My current MTB is a 1x9 with no clutch (MicroShift Advent) and with a narrow-wide chainring on it, I’ve yet to have any dropped chains on that. I could see it happening if I was doing chunky stuff constantly, but even then, it’d have to be a pretty big hit and in a pretty small gear to have that be an issue, IMO. Clutched derailleurs probably make a lot more sense when you’ve got wider range cassettes _and_ hitting chunky drops in the fast gears, but yeah, a lot of the times I see people saying “oh no clutch, that’s bad” it’s on bikes that are perfectly fine as-is.

[@newttella1043]

Seems like the noise of chain slap is no longer cool as it'll distract from the sound of your $300 high engagement hub.

[@Alex_564]

I dropped a chain with my 2x grx setup(w/ forgetting the clutch off) the other day going down some steps on my gravel bike. With it on, never was an issue.

[@weatheranddarkness]

people were running larger chainrings, smaller cassettes, AND chainguides. Nobody runs chainguides anymore, partly because of clutches, partly because of narrow wide rings, and partly because it's very hard to accomodate especially wide range cassettes.

[@michalwiktorow2188]

I think that this is great channel and also 'side' subject, showing people what options there are, and what are their real pros and cons. Well done!

[@markymarknj]

I have a 1999 Raleigh M30 rigid MTB. It came with an Altus stamped crank and Acera front and rear derailleurs. When I had it refurbished/overhauled, I had a new crank put on, so I could swap out the chainrings if I so desired; right now, I'm running a 42/32/22 tooth chainrings on the new Shimano Hyperdrive crank. I run a 7 speed cassette out back with 14-32 teeth; they go 14-26 for the 7th to 2nd cog, and the first cog is 32 teeth, my bailout gear. Since I had a new crank and chainrings installed, the LBS recommended swapping out the cassette and chain as well; this, I did. I still have the original Acera derailleurs, both front and rear, on the bike. I've taken that MTB on some sandy and muddy trails; I've ridden it on miles of fire roads in the NJ Pine Barrens; I've ridden it on canal trails and bike paths; and I've ridden it on the street. Guess what? After 25 years, those Acera derailleurs are STILL doing the job! Who cares if they're not flashy? Who cares if they don't have the right name? They still work, and they still work well. I just hope that, if I ever have to replace either of my derailleurs, that I can get new Acera derailleurs... 😁

[@godfellas483]

You had me sold when you said it was "less blingy" ...Bike snobs won't get that, and I like that. Win-Win...Most regular people just want something that works well as a replacement derailleur. Nice job! 😎

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

I have many bikes; they all use Tourney or Acera or Alivio or Deore. They all shift identical, good shifting...but...the longevity of the Tourney and Acera is short lived, with the spring getting weak and unable to up-shift eventually. The Alivio and Deore have a very long life, so if you are a "real" rider doing lots of mileage a year, the Alivio or Deore will save you money. Also, to get the longest usage out of derailleurs remember to always park your bike in the gear that has the least spring tension; for most bikes that would be smallest chainring and smallest cog.

[@chillplacatetrance9213]

Tell that to my TREK FX 1, Achera still works af. 😁😁😁

[@ronwhite8503]

Alivio and Deore fan boy (old git) here.

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

@@chillplacatetrance9213 Depends on mileage, I ride 10,000 miles a year, Acera and Tourney don't last very long. Also extremely mountainous terrain on and off road, lots of shifting. Compared to flat riding, much less shifting needed.

[@chillplacatetrance9213]

@@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene fair enough.

[@markymarknj]

I have a 1999 MTB with the ORIGINAL Acera front and rear derailleurs. Guess what? They're STILL working fine 25 years later!

[@PrabuddhaDasGupta1966]

It's great how you keep doing great research and keep coming up with ideas that make so much sense in this sale driven bicycle industry. Please do keep these videos coming.

[@theshonen8899]

Take a look at the microShift Acolyte derailleur as well. I've been running it on my hardtail and it's been bombproof. The cool thing with microShift is that 8-speed Acolyte, 9-speed Advent, 10-speed Advent X, and the new Sword groupsets all use the same cable pull and are mostly interchangeable. Shimano CUES before CUES existed!

[@tims_builds]

Have you tried running an Acolyte with an Advent/Sword brifter? I've got 2 flat bar bikes with Acolytes and love them but looking to build a drop bar bikes with brifters

[@thomaswayout9081]

everything mtb shimano is compatible since 10x. you can combine a 10x 780 shifter with a 12x 8100 on a microshift 10x cassette and it works perfectly. to make it even more wierd..... sram uses the same ratio since 9x. you can put any of these components in the mix as well. "cues" is pure marketing-BS. btw: box also uses the same ratio......

[@Enidub]

Let's remember the clutch was introduced to improve chain retention without a front derailleur...I run a 1(38T) x 9(11-36) w/Altus on my commuter/run-around and after a day of multiple dropped chains riding over the rougher urban stuff, I still have use an old front mech as a chain keeper, which I have no issue with as everything runs fine year round. I run & prefer SRAM on my fast bike but nothing beats Shimano for affordable reliability.

[@HulluJanne]

Also giving the spring more retention is pretty simple, depending on the RD model. Just dismantling and drilling a hole farther away for the coil spring will potentially eliminate chain slap. I believe it's an old trick that racers in the 90's did, but it's not talked much.

[@HulluJanne]

Depending on which spring you do the mod, you can either have just more chain retention or possibly run a slightly bigger cog, or both.

[@charlie_one_9]

@@HulluJannethis is exactly what I’ve been contemplating on doing to my old xt. On some there is already a second hole but I imagine drilling a 3rd would improve and add even more tension to achieve a clutch-like feel.

[@Enidub]

@@HulluJanne I'll open it up and have a look, I'm just weary as things aren't made they way they used be :). Thanks for the tip!

[@m.talley1660]

Almost the same gearing my modified first generation Bridge Club has - 38-24t rings with same cassette. The crank is a Shimano Deore 2x10sp model that's gearing choice disappeared as soon as 2x11 arrived. I'm glad you tested the range of that derailleur. Keep up the good work showcasing harder to find parts.

[@rajf]

I use a 10 speed Zee RD with 11-36 and 40t narrow wide up front. The narrow wide is mounted to a double with a 26t granny gear and front derailleur. 90% is ridden on narrow wide but bailout there for steep stuff. Shifting up front takes a little finessing to go back up but works everytime.

[@LA8OKA]

After seeing this video, I decided to try this, so I ordered and installed the the Acera RD-M3020 derailler and CS-HG400-8 11-40T cassette on my old hybrid with a 3x8 speed Alivio drive train. What an upgrade! Went from 34T to 40T and that gave me 19.5 gearinches, down from 23 gearinches, and it also shifts better, even with the original 8 speed Alivio shifter!

[@matto4222]

Ive been running my soma wolverine single speed and have been procrastinating putting gears back on it. This has motivated me to go this route and try it

[@seraphan6]

I think this illustrates a point you made a while back: it’s not the rear derailleur that matters most. I admire your boldness in trying weird combinations of component. I hope to pick up an Uno just because, but also to use it to really embrace friction.

[@chrislonsberry1974]

This was a great review! Thank you for always not promoting the latest, greatest, most expensive products!

[@ErrybodyGetTypsy]

Great video! I love to hear about great, affordable gear that just gets the job done!

[@feedbackzaloop]

I'd like so see it laying on the table next to any older long cage derailleur to find out what exactly Shimano couldn't do for several decades to accomodate bigger cassettes. Because from photos this Acera is identical to, say, T4000 Alivio

[@edwardgonzales6937]

Just bought an Acera to use on my old-school Bridgestone 700 that needed more gear range, partly on all the praises you and Grant Petersen poured onto the low-end Shimano stuff. Excited to try it out!

[@scottcopeland7457]

Thanks Russ. I’m just about to build my first bike. Starting point is the Velo Orange Pass Hunter frame, great deal at $599. You have inspired me to build a bike that you can’t get from the big 4 and I’ll give this derailleur a try. Keep up the great work. Enjoy your day.

[@byroboy]

A few years back I managed to make my 2x9 with a mix of Sora and Deore 9S parts. The range is 24/38 and 11-40t. it needed some real finessing to get the shifting right but I'm very happy with it right now. I have had friends who were walking their bikes overtake me while I riding up hills.

[@barryjewett4037]

I have a Shimano ALTUS RD-M310. It is also worth a look. I use a 15/18/21 Speed Friction Thumb Shifter Set originally presented by Shimano in the last couple of years, but 'Win Win' is the latest provider of the design, and it is flawless on my 8 speed.

[@jotoppo]

RD-M370 SGS are £12.99 in UK, definitely worth a look.

[@andrewkaucher9376]

Videos like this are why I love this channel.

[@dennisdugger7975]

I love your down to earth common sense approach. Thank you so much.

[@martj.1350]

Just a few weeks after I retrofitted my commuter/touring roadbike with an acera rear derailer you post the vid to finally vindicate that decision! Love the vid even before seeing all of it!!

[@rodturner4038]

My head hurts on the numbers. Love the simplicity Russ

[@elliotkelly8354]

Well done, Russ! I love it when you peel back marketing fluff and show me maximum functionality traded for the fewest family fun hours. 🙌🏻

[@DivineMisterAdVentures]

You've got quite an amazing niche here - and you're so good at it! Bravo.

[@jellyfishsalad5926]

Awesome. Bring on the trickle up. Maybe you could make some small party pace stickers (or something else) to go over the acera logo? That might make it feel even better.

[@tomwickert4158]

so cool! So much bike tech has been around far too long to not become more efficient and affordable

[@polthedestroyer]

This is the content I come here for! Thanks, Russ. I hope the Catalan Party Pacers make you feel super welcome.

[@emmanuelhpun]

When I changed my rear cassette to 11-42T and my existing 8 speed derailleur couldn't get into the 42T cog, I did some research on my own and I ended up getting this same derailleur ($20 off ebay). Fun that I came across this video now and feeling even better about my purchase. I use it with the SL-M315 rapidfire shifter with no problem.

[@MozOnBikes]

Ohh this is really interesting, thanks for highlighting this rd capacity…I’ve got a feeling that this rd would be compatible with all the older and non 4700 7,8,9 and 10 speed brifters…excellent budget build option!

[@michaelpaine9492]

I bought a new budget runabout last month. A Ghost Square Cross with 3x9 Alivio and Accera mix. It was crazy cheap with big reductions only £369 for the whole bike. Was going to upgrade instantly but this channel has made me appreciate that old school and budget setups are good so im going to run it stock. Proberly will have less issues than my 1x mtb and 1x gravel bike 😂

[@ronwhite8503]

Durache? I am totally with you on the lower end components. I have an Alivio groupset on my Dawes Galaxy; I've put alt bars and hydraulic disc calipers and used it for all kinds of riding, including gravel. It's quietly and efficiently done it's job and never let me down. And the triple at the front winches me up any hill in Cumbria.

[@rickmayabolis]

Someone tossed out an old frame with guess what Mech was on it. I installed the Acera and barely had to make any adjustments. Works amazing on an old Italian Legnano. Its kinda spooky actually. fit like a glove

[@andyamos8594]

Wow, you've hit the hammer bang on again! I have the Acera RD-M360 on one bike and Altus RD-M280 on another, both run fine up to my personal max of 9 index speeds using flat bar shimano / microshift and (incredably) Sensah Ignite drop bar shifters. They last forever and I bought them on €50 seconhand bikes from the 2010´s. Would be nice with a clutch but can't complain at the price!!

[@minnesotasteve]

I have an Alivio rear shifter on my 2020 Trek FX3, and at first I was really disappointed with it's performance. I decided to try to replace the cables, and that's when I found out that Trek had routed the shifter cable under the bottom bracket through some cheap liner which had gotten all torn up and was causing resistance. After fixing that, it's been pretty good.

[@jimbrittain402]

This is great. Thanks. I'm so glad you check this stuff out in the Cave of Bad Ideas. If I ever do the bike-touring build, I'll use my Ciclo Uno and a setup like this (except that means I'll have to take the Ciclo Uno off my road bike... don't ask...

[@kevinfrost1579]

Awesome tips for side stepping component compatibility issues, reducing costs, extending riding options, great content thanks ……………subscribed and liked

[@komoonkh]

I love content like this. You truly are the hacker of drivetrains😂

[@mikesiemens4145]

The Alivio RD is really nice too. I run one on my 8 speed 90s MTB Dad bike.

[@gs78798]

0:15 "Ultegra and Duratshe" 😀 Never before heard it like that. 🙂

[@VeloObscura]

I can't imagine ever actually cycling a 24-42. Generally I get off and walk way before I get that low! 😅 It's hilariously awesome that you can do this with such a "budget" or "low-end" derailleur.

[@M.F.Hafizhan]

Hell, I've heard of someone riding a 2x10 roadbike with a tourney tx800 rear derailleur. They ain't fancy, but they get the job done just fine.

[@maxab7e63s5]

I have Shimano Deore 9 speed rear derrailleur on my road bike setup 50/34 with 11/42 cassette and on my mtb to gravel conversion, 36/24 with 11/42 cassette. The road is setup with 10 speed brifters and the gravel with 9 speed. In order to use the cassettes and not having to add a derrailleur hanger extender is changing the b-tension screws with a longer one. On the road bike I had to move the front derailleur up a bit to clear the 50/42 combination. For both setups this is the maximum the derrailleur can handle in a 2X setup. You can still find new deore for $50 bucks on e-bay. But both setups is like having a 1X hybrid with plenty of gearing when things get steep.

[@pavelg4990]

There’s also a less expensive 10 speed variant of GRX RX 400, clutched, (about $75), which has a 41 tooth capacity officially, but works up to 47 I think. I have it on my Kona Sutra 2x 30/46. It came with a 11-36 cassette, which I replaced with a 11-42 XT, giving me a 585% gear range. Runs well, no wolf tooth required. In fact if installed WT will bend the b screw overtime, so better without it. With that said, I do want to go lower on the chainrings for bikepacking in the mountains - Russ’ 40-24 is ideal for that.

[@BRAINpl]

Kona Rove here, exactly as you've mentioned at the end, I'm looking for something steep grades for hours worthy. Thinking about some pizza in the back, like 48 or even 51 and front in the twenties. Not yet sure how to build this, but I'm guessing deore rear 10 speed + no_idea front + microshift friction shifters. Any input welcome!

[@timfreeman2603]

Russ is using friction shifters but this 8 speed will happily work on 9 speed index road/MTB. Just ordered 2x Acera’s for my kids bikes. For them it’s an upgrade from Tourney TX. Still no clutch but I’m pairing it with bigger cassette and bigger NW chainring.

[@brannmacfinnchad9056]

I was so excited to get my grubby mitts on a GRX 10spd rear derailleur. Everywhere online, out of stock...and the local shop had it (for around $65ish, I think). Turns out, I hate it. The inline "shadow" whatever means you can't easily remove the rear wheel. The small cogs get caught on the derailleur, plus, when you do manage to remove the wheel, the chain falls off the top pulleywheel, making it more fiddly to put the wheel back in.

[@auronprowers]

Oh i feel i must mention that my previous derailleur was b-twin that came with the bike. I also paired the new derailleur with a set of shimano ef-500 rapid fire brake/shift levers and man i love them! I ride a medium decathlon rockrider100 with a 3x7 setup. Am currently contemplating a new crank set. I am a shimano fan boy. Have been since I was a kid so I tend to stick with that brand. Alternately I would love to get a internally geared or CV rear hub but... I absolutely hate re spoking wheels.🤷‍♂

[@rostuchicken]

That is an amazing setup gear range wise. Thanks for sharing. Not sure I could handle the bar end shifters.

[@STPjoejeep]

Your 2x setup is sick and looks good too!

[@Cycling-Brian]

Good find!!! This looks even better than the Alivio derailleur that I’ve installed on my two bikes! I’m able to run a 2x system with an 11/36 and a 40/26 with the Alivio, for about the same price. You may have found my next derailleur.

[@francoispaquin9996]

Which crankset do you use?

[@Cycling-Brian]

@@francoispaquin9996 It’s a Sugino wide/low crankset that Rivendell used to sell. They sell a similar one now under the Clipper brand. It works well for me!

[@iddra1868]

How is it better? Alivio has more capacity, unless you're talking about the old version.

[@newttella1043]

I've been using clutchless derailleurs on mountain bikes up till 2012 and they were fine. If you have a front derailleur it'll keep the chain on when bouncing around. Clutches are handy for 1x as ride-stopping chain drops happen off the front chain ring. But that still happens. That's why a front chain guide is used. These days the sound of chain slap is the biggest benefit of a clutch. But a foamy Lizard Skin chain stay protector can muffle that too.

[@travelmoustache]

fantastic solution for affordable groupset with an amazing range. My only worry is that friction shifting is not super handy when in the hoods as I need to move my hand to shift and it's not super close to brakes if I need to engage them.

[@teovm]

I have been talking about that 3020 for years (20€). I run it with a 3x8 system. In the back I use 11x40 Shimano cassette and it works flawlessly. It's also cheap as hell. The setup including the cassete (CS-HG400-8 - 25€), chain (kmc or shimano 7-8 speed chain - 10€) and a new rear shifter (SL-M315-8R - 10-15€) costs 70€ top. And with a 3x (24/32/40) or 2x on the front you are all set. Yep no clutch, but a nice pad on the chainstay does the job. I use it on my hardtail. Cheap reliable what more do you want. And on longer journeys I have a spare, yep for 20€ you can have a spare. And I'm a lot more freeminded as if I brake it it's so cheap to replace.

[@CPWaite83]

My fairly humble 5120-SGS is a great way to get a huge range. It’s 1x and 2x compatible with both 10s and 11s. Shimanos specs are weird but it’s identical to the m7000 SLX rd that is 1/2x 11s but I just replaced the 5120 with the 7000 and they’re 100% cross compatible and even visually look nearly identical.

[@dilmurodavalbaev1392]

Thanks a lot Russ!

[@Ronald-qj5nx]

I have used the older Acera and Alivio derailleurs with 9 and older 10 speed groupsets with 11-32 and even 11-34 cassettes on road bikes as the pull ratios are the same as 7 and 8 speed systems. These older bikes with 53/39 chainrings paired with an 11-34 cassette now have a similar gear range to modern compact gearing 50/34 and 11-30 cassette. A much cheaper way to upgrade these old bikes.

[@ustadsami]

In my 1x setup I have a Shimano Deore rear derailleur with clutch mechanism. I was getting dropped chain every 10 miles of riding, specifically while in higher gears. Installed a $20 chain retainer piece over the chainring that solved my chain drop issues

[@negativegamma4453]

ahh, just ordered this one last week. the rd-m3020 is interesting. going to pair it with sora r3000

[@johnnyk6906]

Acera and Alivio supported up to 9speed but this new generation Acera only support up to 8 speed. these two are absolutely a good reliable gorup-set and good for all purpose on a budget.

[@feedbackzaloop]

That made me raise an eyebrow at first too to hear it's 8 speed, when even Altus is 9

[@Exgrmbl]

8,9 speed is just right in terms of durability, price and range. i never go further than 9 on any of my bikes. Price for chains and parts goes up like crazy after 9 speed.

[@michaelhayward7572]

​@@Exgrmbl ^ this !

[@feedbackzaloop]

@@Exgrmbl smh there are always deals on 11 speed components, so that they are often cheaper than 9 or 10. But true, nothing beats 8. And until only recently 11 speed was the only option for 1x drivetrains.

[@MSUTri]

Any Shimano SIS (i.e. for indexing) rear derailleur that is 9 speed or less (except 8 speed and under Dura-Ace, and anything CUES), or 10 speed or less for road bikes, will be compatible with 6, 7, 8, and 9 speed shifters (and 10 speed road shifters). So this derailleur will work fine with pretty much any 9 speed components.

[@corb5309]

That's funny to see this right after I pulled the Acera rear derailleur off my old mountain bike and threw it on this mixed build tripple bike when the Ultegra derailleur it came with didn't have the capacity needed to handle the triple and the 11-28 cassette. Just put 30 miles on it and it was smooth as butter.

[@Schradermusic]

I'm running the old Acera (RD-M360) and it shifts perfectly when setup well.

[@DouglasMilewski]

I've had mine for a year on my commuter and I'm completely satisfied. And friction shifters.

[@billmaidment5623]

❤ great info. Thanks Russ.

[@lastfm4477]

I really miss the Acera RD-M340 with it's Over Sighed Pulley Wheels that every one is now paying thru the nose for on Dura-Ace. I'd love this latest Acera if it had that support for large cassettes and still had the Oversized 15T/13T jockey wheels. It looked so cool.

[@herminio001]

The Shimano Acera group set was originally on my 3 X 8 Diamondback Mountain bike with a 42/32/22 front and 11-32 cassette and fell for the 1X 10 hype with the Shimano Deore derailleur 38T up front and 11-42 cassette. I had the Ultimate range and never had problems with it. No chain drops and I reduced the chain slap noise by cutting an old inner tube and wrapping the chain stay with it. The bike does look better and is lighter with a 1X though.

[@austinsp00l24]

Always happy to see a vid from the cave of bad ideas.

[@bobandmaryann]

My mountain bike has a lower end rear derailleur. I've ruined it twice, hit a rock with it, and something else. Less than 50 bucks to replace. My biking buddy had a really nice derailleur, I could replace mine many times over for the cost of his. I'm not always sold on the pricier stuff.

[@scottwistinghausen5026]

I agree that clutches on gravel bikes are not always necessary. I’m running a retro m952 rd and I’ve had no issues with chain slap even going down trails

[@TekkamanBiker]

Two years ago, I decided to upgrade the drivetrain in my folding bike. The only old thing was the rear derailleur, a Shimano RD-M410. I went from 7 speeds to 9 speeds. I paired a SunRace shifter with said derailleur and a SunRun 11-42T cassette. The combination works flawlessly. Recently I decided to buy an 8-speed S-Ride 11-36T cassette for my road bike. I did not change the derailleur, a Shimano Claris RD-R2000-GS medium cage, and it works without any problems. I forgot to mention, the folding bike has a 44T chainring and the road bike has a compact crankset.

[@malcontent510]

Love the low key mad-scientist-in-the-lab vibes, Russ

[@NumenorCycles]

Dear PLP, thanks for all your patience and effort for making such interesting and educating videos. I appreciate your love and passion for cycling lifestyle! Now, about this particular Acera 3020 RD- if we neglect the fact that it works with 40t cassette, and for example want to use it with 8 speed cassette (32-34t) , will it work better than vintage XTR m900 (m910,950) or XT m737/ 739? In my area, both Acera 3020, and above mantioned vintage XTR/XT (in good condition) are about 30$. Thanks a lot in advance, and best regards from Serbia

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

I would just get the XTR in that situation.

[@benjamincallahan4800]

Quote of the day "the cave of bad ideas". Love it, thanks for the content and honesty.

[@scottcopeland7457]

Just ordered one for my next build. $39 CAN which is like $28 US. Planning on running a New Albion crankset 42/26 with an 11/34 ten speed cassette.

[@independentmind1977]

I have decades of working on my own bikes, if I was going to build a new packing bike I would go to the new Acera with friction shifters and maybe a 105 at the front! Pretty much the same build on the video. They're bullet proof! I'm not so keen on the Acera shifter/brake lever combo though. Ps. we rode without a clutch in the rear for decades and didn't know we were missing it. Check out Microshift too! They've come along.

[@Paulklampeeps]

Still patiently waiting for shimano to release dropbar levers for their shimano cues

[@DoraeMew]

This Acera RD also good for 9&10 speed indexed. It’s compatible with following Shimano indexed shifters range; 9-speed mtb/road and 10-speed road (pre Tiagra 4700) in both DCL and Flatbar style.

[@732002]

Works for me on my Vaya, 12-36 9spd, 22/32/44

[@lbanezjs1000]

ive done it with a grx800 on 46/30. ive got a friend and she's a wild one and did a grx400 rear mech to 11-42 cassette on a 48/31 bombtrack chainrings 2x

[@davidgoodman911]

Another great, entertaining intelligent video !

[@gizzardgulpe]

I found two of these on clearance at my local REI for $10 each. I've got one with a friction shifter on my touring bike and it works pretty dang well.

[@tat801]

I have a big cargo bike that has been electrified with a high torque motor running an Acera derailleur for years now. It has never once needed an adjustment, creaked, shifted improperly, or really had any issues at all. And this is a bike often carrying +100 lb loads, going up hills, and moving quickly.

[@robindegu7294]

Mid drive? Or hub motor? I’m in middle of converting my tandem with a hub motor. Considering the acera/altus/advent 9 spd

[@jbarner13]

I'm old enough that I remember when Shimano first used the model name Dura Ace on a centerpull brake, before they repurposed it for their new, showpiece group that was to compete with Campagnolo. I've always pronounced it as two words, never as "Doorahchay," but I like it! It rolls off the tongue, like the short-lived Santé.

[@Siravingmon]

How about Dura ache for the long term impact on your savings?😎

[@zygis337]

Running one of these (18€) on my city comuter 1x10 with 11-42 and 42 front with a parts bin tiagra 4600 shifter. Best thing ever.

[@electrocit673]

After my XTR broke the prices had jumped , I couldn't justify the cost on a child carrier bike. This works great for road style STI shifter up to 10 speed (not the Tiagra 1:1 exception). I tried it with a 105 and now I have it working with a Sensah Phi 2x10 setup.

[@sylvainguidi]

I have upgraded with two ceramic pulleys (11t and 13t, had to dremel a bit, possibly it can take 15t),using a 11-40t cassette/ very good derailleur

[@Fatbutnotflat]

good job on the thumbnail game. One question, how do you set the chainline?

[@syclo6306]

I've run 46-30 and 42-24 with 42-11 with Sora shifters 9 & 11 speed with 105 shifters and bar end shifters. all with Alivio, Sora, STX, XT and 105 rear derailleurs using a hanger extender as well. Indexed road shifters can be used with a multitude of combinations of gear sizes front and rear. If you use MTB rear derailleurs only 9 spd or less will work with indexed road shifters. I find that gear ratios too high that come with bikes as standard these days. Chris Froome I am not, so I've experimented as well. This channel is great, doing the experimentation for us.

[@BRAINpl]

I'm looking for something steep grades for hours worthy. Thinking about some pizza in the back, like 48 or even 51 and front in the twenties. Not yet sure how to build this, but I'm guessing deore rear 10 speed + no_idea front + microshift friction shifters. Any input welcome!

[@thestreakpodcast]

Yikes. Durachez. Love it. How many takes did you need to deliver that without cracking up?

[@rodas_guinea]

Thanks man for keeping it honest 👍

[@Pehchevski]

This is real adventure and Mtb setup.....Great!!!

[@DustyKillswitch]

This seems like a really cool setup! I would love to try friction shifting after seeing this. A question: what kind of shifters would I have to use? You mentioned the pull ratio, but should I use an 8 speed or 10 speed shifter? Or could I just take any 11 speed with the old pull ratio? What did you use when setting this up? :)

[@DustyKillswitch]

@@pureblood5903 hi, thanks for the response. I understood that they don’t have indexing, but while researching I was a bit confused over whether there’s a difference between friction shifters that state to work with different numbers of gears. But that’s probably mostly for the mixed shifters where you can switch between indexed and friction. I actually bought the derailleur and cassette and put on some microshift friction shifters and it works perfectly! I’m really happy with the gearing and I got used to shifting pretty fast

[@lesterluallin5312]

I just splurge on the M7000 SLX for loaded dirt touring. 24/32 x 11-46. (gonna change that big ring to a 36 someday) Shimano says you can't run a double with 11-46T but mine hits all the gears no problemo. I'm on flatbar shifters though.

[@ferdinandmelchor4242]

I been using 11 speed cogs (11-42) using alivio shimano rd .been using it for years now. best dollar ever spent