Single-chainring mountain bike derailleurs

The Era of Single Chainring

On modern mountain bikes, the single chainring setup has taken over: one chainring at the front, a wide range cassette at the back, and therefore just one rear derailleur. This system simplifies handling, reduces bike weight, and frees up the handlebars. The front derailleur remains on some touring and entry-level mountain bikes, with double or triple chainrings.

The Transmission

The mountain bike transmission also includes:

• Groups.
• Derailleur Shifters.
• Cassettes and Chains.
• Chainrings.
• Cranksets.
• Cables and Housings.

All the transmission components can be found on the transmission page.

The Clutch

The mountain bike rear derailleur features a clutch, which slows down the movement of the hanger and keeps the chain taut on rough terrain. The result: less noise, fewer derailments, and less chain impact against the frame. Its long cage allows the use of cassettes with very large sprockets, essential for climbing steep slopes.

Compatibility and Adjustment

A derailleur must be compatible with the shifter, the number of speeds, and the cassette: mixing different brand systems without checking is not advisable. Some mount directly on the frame, without a hanger, for added stiffness. Adjustment involves the limit screws, cable tension, and alignment of the hanger, which should be checked after every fall.

Good Deals

Great deals can also be found among the good deals, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and items shipped in 24h are prepared and sent within 24 hours. The key sales events of the year follow a consistent order: Black Friday at the end of autumn, the end-of-year holidays, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, then the summer sales and the back-to-school season.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many speeds should I choose for a mountain bike rear derailleur?

Modern mountain bike transmissions have eleven or twelve speeds, with a wide range cassette. The derailleur must exactly match the number of sprockets on the cassette and on the shifter, or shifting will be inaccurate.

What does the clutch on a mountain bike rear derailleur do?

The clutch dampens the movement of the hanger during bumps. The chain stays taut, no longer hits the frame, and skips off the chainring less frequently on descents, making the mountain bike quieter and more reliable.

What cage length should I choose based on my cassette?

A long cage is necessary for large cassettes, where the biggest sprocket exceeds forty teeth, as it accommodates more chain. A short cage is sufficient for tighter cassettes, which have become rare in mountain biking.

How do I convert a double chainring mountain bike to a single chainring?

You need to replace the crankset with a single chainring with alternating teeth, the cassette with a wide-range model, the rear derailleur, the shifter, and often the chain. The front derailleur and its shifter are then removed.

How do I adjust the limit and indexing of a mountain bike derailleur?

First, adjust the high and low limit screws so that the chain does not fall off either towards the wheel or outside the cassette. Then, adjust the cable tension at the barrel until shifting is smooth in both directions.