Path Less Pedaled just did an entire video episode on Rapid Rise/Low Normal derailleurs that’s definitely worth watching.
One point that came up in the comments from viewers is that shifting to lower gears is done entirely through the strength of the spring in the derailleur. Move the shifter to release more cable, and the *spring* pushes the chain onto a larger cog. In practice, according to people who had used RR/LN extensively, was that normal stuff that happens to derailleurs (they get dirty or muddy, or need lubrication) makes that spring’s job harder, with the result that it doesn’t work as well. Shifting to a larger cog also benefits from a slight decrease in pedaling pressure while shifting (again, to make the spring’s job easier). That’s not always possible when you’re grinding up a steep incline and need to grab a lower gear. This may be part of the reason why RR/LN was phased out … along with the fact that it was “different” in an industry that mostly prizes conformity. Full disclosure: I’ve never used a RR/LN setup, although I do ride almost exclusively with friction-shifting downtube levers. --Eric Norris campyonly...@me.com Insta: @CampyOnlyGuy YouTube: YouTube.com/CampyOnlyGuy > On Aug 22, 2022, at 12:46 PM, Eric Marth <ericma...@gmail.com> wrote: > > Do you run a Rapid Rise derailer? Do you like it? Have you had one before and > just didn't get it? What's the deal? > > With all the commotion over Rivendell's plan to build their own production > low-normal derailer I figured I'd try one out for myself. The first one I > picked up was an XTR RD-M951 which I suspected had a bent pulley cage, some > of you may remember I posted about this mech a few weeks ago. > > I found this Nexave on eBay for $17 so figured I'd give it a shot. This > model, to my mind, is the classic rapid rise derailer. Silver, shiny, long > cage, external guide pulley, pivoting cable guide for a short bit of housing > over the rear dropout. Grant mentioned that this was his favorite model, > cosmetically. I like it, too. > > So far I haven't put many miles on it but no complaints. I like getting into > the easier gears with a light touch. I'm running the derailer on my Appaloosa > with a Silver 38/24 crank and a 9-speed 11-36 cassette. It's wired up to the > original Suntour Power Thumb shifters which are mounted in the reversed, > under-hand style also known as the Riv-versed or Rivendell brifter style. > > With the reverse-mounted shifters I did like pushing the lever away from me > to get an easier gear with a high-normal derailer installed. That made sense. > Pulling the lever to me for an easier gear is taking a bit of getting used to > but the action required is so light that it's not a problem so far. > > Unfortunately, I haven't yet been in a situation where I'm climbing and > experience a mis-shift under torque resulting in the derailer bumping me to > an easier gear. I'm looking forward to it, really. > > One thing I can't get my head wrapped around is why Grant and Rivendell want > to make this happen and go through so much trouble and expense. It is quite a > complicated undertaking. It seems if you're into low-normal derailers they're > out there if you look hard enough and have some patience. Perhaps it's just > what they do and what they're about. They want something to exist that has > gone out of production, they make it so, and that is the purest expression of > their ethos and what they love about bikes and components. "Isn't this great? > People should be able to find and use these!" > > <IMG_1983.JPG> > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com > <mailto:rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com>. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/892c029a-4efd-4b00-9dc7-840361116a39n%40googlegroups.com > > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/892c029a-4efd-4b00-9dc7-840361116a39n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>. > <IMG_1983.JPG> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/27408A1E-28B8-49DC-87F9-C90BB58D21FB%40me.com.
