Acera/Altus/Altus

[xxmimixx]

Is this groupset really cheap and a must avoid? What are your personal experiences? Thanks

 

[Moodyman]

Shimano stuff is well made and works well if set up right.

One of my bikes has Acera shifters and front mech - work perfectly fine and just as well as the Deore LX on my other bike.

My son's bike has Tourney - again no probs if set up right.

Though I found that Tourney and Acera work well, they're not as quick and crisp as Deore and above.

So it comes down to use. If general tarmac riding they're fine. For fast off road riding, where you need instant gear changes in a mucky environment, I'd look at Deore and above.

 

[xxmimixx]

Very helpful reply thanks, correct me if I'm wrong but is the rear derailler to do most of the work and most likely to break?
Are they quite easy to repair? I think they are cheap to buy.

 

[Soltydog]

My hybrid had Acera gear & was fine for the 4 years I had it. Did a good few thousand miles without any issues at all. Replaced the rear derailleur just before I let the bike go, but that was only because the jockey wheels needed replacing & at £15 for a rear derailleur it wasn't worth messing about with the jockey wheels.
Agree with moodyman, it's probably not for fast road use, but commuting, gentle off road stuff (cycle tracks etc) it will be fine

 

[xxmimixx]

Thanks

 

[Moodyman]

You use rear derailleurs for slight gradient changes and so they do the most work. The front derailleur is not only used less, but performs are very simple function - lifts the chain higher/lower.

This is why most new bikes come with a better RD than a FD.

Rear deraillerurs more likely to break as they're more exposed than front. BUT...they're only every going to break if you do hardcore offroading - where they might catch a tree root or exposed rock.

Once they're damaged it's time for a new one.

 

[xxmimixx]

It's for a new MTB I saw but it would be used just for light summer mtb'ing and general seldom very short road cycling.

 

[Moodyman]

It's for a new MTB I saw but it would be used just for light summer mtb'ing and general seldom very short road cycling.

As my local bike shop said: unless you're competing you don't need anything higher than Deore.

 

[Blue Hills]

Interesting topic and thanks for the sensible sounding replies. A 7 (21) -speed hybrid I've recently converted to a tourer by simply adding some hand-built tough wheels has low Shimano end stuff from 1997 and it changes fine - agree that maybe the shift isn't always so fast but it's clean and I can't see that there are any issues for touring at all. I may change the rear derailleur though as it's a fag changing the jockey wheels - can't use Allen hex keys.

 

[Sleeper]

I'm running a 15yo Altus RD on the winter hack, upwards of 20k miles on it!! Worn, scarred but still works spot on every time

Oh look I just jinxed myself

 

[xxmimixx]

I'm running a 15yo Altus RD on the winter hack, upwards of 20k miles on it!! Worn, scarred but still works spot on every time

Oh look I just jinxed myself

LOL hope not! But well done on your and the bike achievement!
Anyhow I BOUGHT IT!! A bit scared as I never quite buy the lower end of market, always aim for middle range but I thought, heck for the use I make of it, it will be more than enough, and then again being cheap it means that there is less money to devalue if I end up hating it (but hope not) wont be too upset if it gets stolen, and may actually use it more because I would be more relaxed about leaving it parked somewhere (chained), and an upgraded real derailleur is only about £20 so if it gets damaged it wont break the bank. It will probably be delivered on Wednesday

Plus it means that saving on my MTB budget I can raise my Road bike budget, CUBE here I come!