Clutched RD's - Deore vs SLX

[Mojoman]

So after destroying my RD on a ride I now have to buy a new one.

 

Is there any major difference, other than price, between the two? Is it worth getting a clutch RD for a 3x10 set up or is it another fancy thing that will just end up breaking anyway!

 

http://www.easybike.co.za/shimano-deore-rear-derailleur-rd-m615-sgs.html

http://www.easybike.co.za/shimano-slx-rear-derailleur-rd-m675-sgs.html

[dirtrider]

Not a lot of difference between that two I would say , maybe a few grams . I hear the clutch thing does actually work to keep the chain tight  but I still see people dropping chains even with the clutch system . I cleaned the bike room again and see I got a few 9 speed XTR derailleurs lying around . Somebody told me they work on a 10 speed as well .  . 

[Vangar]

Clutch is always worth it IMHO. Quiets things down and helps if you ever want to go to 1x10. Grab the SLX R100 is not much difference and SLX is the sweetpsot methinks.

[Alouette3]

Last years SLX is this years Deore. Well that's how things normally work.

[Mojoman]

Do they have parts that are going to need replacing 500km down the road?

[nox1111]

nope. clean your chain and derailer, lube it correctly, and you should'nt have to worry about derailers for a very long time. unless you meet and greet a rock or stump.

[Daniel J Méssem]

if you hear your chain slapping against your chainstay, and/or drop chains, than a clutch is great 

 

they don't tend to break, adjustment required for a clutch is minimal (most people never adjust em)

 

I sometimes forget to turn my clutch on when I start a ride, it takes me about 2min to notice the noise coming from the chain, I always stop and turn it back on... 

 

Have had friends replace perfectly good derailers just to get a clutch - so I recon its well worth it - unless you ride on the road, which I doubt since you just broke a derailer... 

[nox1111]

Somebody told me they work on a 10 speed as well .

 

It seems that's a no go: forums.mtbr.com/drivetrain-shifters-derailleurs-cranks/dyna-sys-10-speed-compatability-9-speed-shimano-systems-646014.html

 

Nine speed rear derailleurs will not work with 10 speed mountain rear shifters. They will however work with road “flat bar” 10 speed rear shifters. Dyna speed shifters pull twice as much cable per shift as 9 speed shifters, so if you use a 9 speed derailleur it shifts two gears for every one push.

 

 

[Edge540]

I never switch mine off unless removing the wheel. Is that wrong.

[Jva]

Clutch is the way to go, no real extra maintenance. The  clutch works really well in keeping the chain tension high, so no noise or chain drop on rough surfaces. Been using mine for over 2 years and no problems. The great thing is you can adjust your clutch if need be.

[Skylark]

I never switch mine off unless removing the wheel. Is that wrong.

I never switch my Xt clutch off, can't see why I would need to do that when removing the wheel? Highly advise adjusting the clutch though, stock setting is a bit stiff, makes shifting up a bit harder. Set the clutch to the minimum it needs to be to stop slap for the riding you do. Either option clutch Rd is the way to go, wouldn't use anything else, really nice not having any chain slap.

 

I went from Xtr to Xt RD, honestly couldn't notice virtually any difference, Xt to Xtr shifters was a different story though.

[Tankman]

 I hear the clutch thing does actually work to keep the chain tight  but I still see people dropping chains even with the clutch system .

 

Yes it works but it doesnt magically stop people from shifting like tjops!

 

The clutch system really impressed me during a very muddy stage.  People around me were getting chain suck left, right and center while I just kept on grinding past.

[Mojoman]

Thanks everyone. So no-one has had any issues with the clutch failing? If it was to fail does that make the RD useless and you have to buy a new one or just replace that part?

[Vangar]

Thanks everyone. So no-one has had any issues with the clutch failing? If it was to fail does that make the RD useless and you have to buy a new one or just replace that part?

 

 

Early days on mine so cant say. But someone was selling replacement clutches for R1xx low rondts. Quick replacement by the looks of it.

[Mike Bike]

Do some research, xt and Slx clutches do break, but there is a little bit you can buy to fix the problem, if the clutch breaks then the derailleur is just like a normal non clutch one

[mtbride]

Only switch my clutch on when riding rough terrain, in town I never put it on, try to save the mechanism.

 

I've had 1 drop when doing a jump on my 1x10 RaceFace 34 without the clutch on, with it, no issues.

 

Also leave the clutch off when not riding and put the gears in the smallest cogs.