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Shimano Derailleurs

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Shimano derailleurs move the chain between sprockets at the back and chainrings at the front. Choosing the right one comes down to your number of speeds, the size of your largest cog and how the derailleur mounts to your frame, and the guide below covers those along with pulley wheels and the adapters some frames need.

Read more: cage length, front derailleur mounts, Shadow RD+, pulley wheels

Rear derailleur cage length

The cage holds the chain under tension. A short cage suits close road gearing, while medium and long cages, marked GS and SGS, wrap more chain for big cassettes and wide-range gearing. Check the derailleur's largest cog rating against your cassette before buying.

Front derailleur mounts

Front derailleurs fit either with a clamp band around the seat tube, made in several diameters, or to a braze-on tab on the frame, called direct mount on mountain bikes. Mountain bike front derailleurs also come in top swing, down swing and side swing designs that must suit the frame and cable routing.

Shadow RD+ clutch

Shimano Shadow rear derailleurs sit tucked in behind the cassette, away from rocks and trail damage. Shadow RD+ adds a clutch that holds chain tension over rough ground, cutting chain slap and dropped chains, and a switch turns it off on most models to make wheel removal easier.

Pulley wheels and service

Worn pulley wheels make shifting noisy and vague. Replacement tension and guide pulley sets are made for specific derailleur models, and fitting a new set along with a new chain refreshes an older drivetrain for little cost.

Not sure which derailleur suits your cassette and frame? Ask TBA Guide, our chat assistant.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What do SS, GS and SGS mean on a Shimano derailleur?

SS, GS and SGS describe the cage length of a Shimano rear derailleur: SS is short, GS is medium and SGS is long. Longer cages wrap more chain, so they handle bigger cassettes and wider gearing, while short cages shift crisply with close road ratios. Match the cage to your largest cog and your chainring sizes.

Can I use a road derailleur with a mountain bike cassette?

Only within limits, because every Shimano road rear derailleur has a maximum cog size, usually in the low to mid 30s of teeth, and mountain bike cassettes often go well beyond that. Road and mountain bike derailleurs can also use different cable pull, so pair the derailleur with a matching shifter and check its maximum cog rating.

How do I know which front derailleur fits my bike?

Check how the derailleur mounts and how the cable reaches it. Look for a clamp band around the seat tube, measured as 28.6, 31.8 or 34.9 mm, or a braze-on tab on the frame. On mountain bikes, also note whether you need top swing, down swing or side swing, and whether the cable comes from above or below.

What does Shadow RD+ do on a Shimano derailleur?

Shadow RD+ is a clutch inside Shimano mountain bike and gravel rear derailleurs that stops the cage swinging forward over bumps. It keeps the chain under tension on rough ground, which reduces chain slap noise, frame damage and dropped chains. A switch on most models turns it off so the rear wheel is easier to remove.

When should I replace derailleur pulley wheels?

Replace derailleur pulley wheels when the teeth look hooked or worn to sharp points, when the wheels wobble on their bearings, or when shifting stays noisy after a fresh chain and cable. Pulley sets are model-specific, so match the set to your derailleur, and fitting them when you replace the chain saves a second job later.

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