Rear Derailleur Protector, Pros/Cons

[TwoLeggedHorse]

I was just curious as to what you guys think about rear derailleur protectors. Are they helpful? Or are they just added weight? A couple of times I've bent my rear derailleur, and one time I cracked my rear derailleur hanger.

I know the Specialized BigHit has one.

[Rockinthecasbah]

I'm noty seeing a protector are you referring to the part coming off of the axle?

[TwoLeggedHorse]

From the picture it looks like the derailleur is connected to a strong bracket which is secured onto the axle and lower sway bar. The picture fails to show the pulley guide, but I think the setup prevents the pulley guide from bending left and right when hit.

[Rockinthecasbah]

I've never seen that before I need to find somone with a big hit to look at

[Mudman]

you dont need one. Just ride more carefully- I crash every ride and mines is fine. I might even crash tomorrow at Aliso. So far I'v only bent my hanger once, but they are not exspensive to replace as opposed to an actual derailer.

[BrewMaster]

Yeah, that just looks like a beefy DR hanger.

[jamesdc]

Its a product sold by brake therapy, it keeps the derailer hanger from breaking or bending and stiffens the frame/derailer hanger/derailer joint.

[allison]

Originally Posted by Mudman

I might even crash tomorrow at Aliso.

haha, Nothing like being prepared!!

OP - If money is no object maybe look into the reviews of the new Shimano Shadow stuff. The r. derailleurs are supposed to be better designed to not get knocked around by rocks. That's what the ad says, anyway

For me.. I usually run like a mid-cage derailleur (not as long) because I don't cross chain, and I also don't always run 3 chainrings (actually, none of my bikes have 3, but two of them have 2, the others just 1).

[RED5]

Specialized spec'd those on the Big Hits and Demo's, not sure who their supplier is\was.


Brake Therapy, the guys that make the floating brake kits, also have an item similiar to this called the Sinner http://braketherapy.com/sinner.htm

Theres a few other companies making them as well...ON ONE & North Shore Billet