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GeekDadZoid

GeekDadZoid

Über Member
avecReynolds531 said:
Maybe we got a good example of an Acera: previous Shimano derailleurs used were 8 or 9-speed Alivio/ Deore and a 105.
From memory, the M360 seems to be quieter, runs smoother, and with better shifting - that's clearly a subjective view, and I don't have the knowledge to explain why objectively, a cheaper derailleur could function more efficiently than more expensive options. It's been durable too, through nearly ten years of winter commutes, tours & some forest tracks/ bridleways.

(For decades, the road bikes here were always Record or Chorus which were faultless & beautifully made.)

It seems refreshing that in the constant wave of expectation to upgrade, further expense, and - what looks like - planned obsolescence, such an inexpensive derailleur has worked really well for us. Intriguingly, Rivendell rate the Acera highly, but even prefer the Altus*:

'The best-designed cheap rear derailer in existence. Most derailers have 11t pulleys, and that works well. The ALTUS has a 13t top pulley and a 15t bottom one, and what's the big deal there.
The bigger pulleys "use up" more chain, so the derailer cage that houses them don't need to be as long and low-hangy. Plus, the bigger pulleys turn more freely. There is no reason on godsgoodearth that all derailers shouldn't have big pulleys, and maybe someday they will. But for now it's the ALTUS, a super-shifting Shimano.
This is my/Grant's personal favorite rear derailer, but that doesn't mean it should be yours. I like it because the pulleys are huge (13t for the top one, 15t for the bottom one, compared to 11/11 on a normal rear derailer). This means they take up more chainslack and don't need as long a cage. The bigger pulleys turn easier, too. I don't care about that, but I find it interesting that Campagnolo retrofits giant pulleys on its derailers for pro riders sometimes, to reduce turning friction.
The thing I really like is that Shimano introduced this big-pulley design near the low-end of its range, probably because they felt it was too risky to introduce on their elite models, figuring the low-brows wouldn't be as tradition-bound. So there it is: Shimano's best design in a cheap derailer. There are now becoming some other Altus variants. The groovy one is the M310.'

* https://www.rivbike.com/products/sh...00289&pr_ref_pid=4372421476463&pr_seq=uniform

The Microshift cassette has been fine so far - durable and with good shifting. Again, maybe we got a good example.

Didn't find the spaces between gears (in the chosen 12-32 sprockets) to be difficult. Some reviews criticised the weight of the cassette, but that's not a consideration for us.
Click to expand...
I very much like my Altus M310 on my 7 speed build using downtube shifters.
 
Blue Hills

Blue Hills

^
Location
London
avecReynolds531 said:
Maybe we got a good example of an Acera: previous Shimano derailleurs used were 8 or 9-speed Alivio/ Deore and a 105.
From memory, the M360 seems to be quieter, runs smoother, and with better shifting - that's clearly a subjective view, and I don't have the knowledge to explain why objectively, a cheaper derailleur could function more efficiently than more expensive options. It's been durable too, through nearly ten years of winter commutes, tours & some forest tracks/ bridleways.

(For decades, the road bikes here were always Record or Chorus which were faultless & beautifully made.)

It seems refreshing that in the constant wave of expectation to upgrade, further expense, and - what looks like - planned obsolescence, such an inexpensive derailleur has worked really well for us. Intriguingly, Rivendell rate the Acera highly, but even prefer the Altus*:

'The best-designed cheap rear derailer in existence. Most derailers have 11t pulleys, and that works well. The ALTUS has a 13t top pulley and a 15t bottom one, and what's the big deal there.
The bigger pulleys "use up" more chain, so the derailer cage that houses them don't need to be as long and low-hangy. Plus, the bigger pulleys turn more freely. There is no reason on godsgoodearth that all derailers shouldn't have big pulleys, and maybe someday they will. But for now it's the ALTUS, a super-shifting Shimano.
This is my/Grant's personal favorite rear derailer, but that doesn't mean it should be yours. I like it because the pulleys are huge (13t for the top one, 15t for the bottom one, compared to 11/11 on a normal rear derailer). This means they take up more chainslack and don't need as long a cage. The bigger pulleys turn easier, too. I don't care about that, but I find it interesting that Campagnolo retrofits giant pulleys on its derailers for pro riders sometimes, to reduce turning friction.
The thing I really like is that Shimano introduced this big-pulley design near the low-end of its range, probably because they felt it was too risky to introduce on their elite models, figuring the low-brows wouldn't be as tradition-bound. So there it is: Shimano's best design in a cheap derailer. There are now becoming some other Altus variants. The groovy one is the M310.'

* https://www.rivbike.com/products/sh...00289&pr_ref_pid=4372421476463&pr_seq=uniform

The Microshift cassette has been fine so far - durable and with good shifting. Again, maybe we got a good example.

Didn't find the spaces between gears (in the chosen 12-32 sprockets) to be difficult. Some reviews criticised the weight of the cassette, but that's not a consideration for us.
Click to expand...
Many thanks for this Avec - will have another look at mine. Agree totally about humble stuff often being better/more fit for purpose if you aren't into gram shaving/bling. Fair few of my bikes use old alivio stuff (once mocked by an Italian cycling buddy of mine as a groupset for shopping bikes :smile:.
 
Last edited:
GuyBoden

GuyBoden

Guru
Location
Warrington
DCBassman said:
They don't.
Click to expand...
Yes, you're correct, apparently, wow. :okay:

"capacity: 43 teeth (Largest sprocket: max. 34T, min. 28T - Smallest sprocket: max. 14T, min. 11T)"
d-m310-rear-derailleur-7-8-speed-silver-or-black~2.png
 
nlmkiii

nlmkiii

Senior Member
cyberknight said:
big jockey wheels are the in thing to reduce friction by reducing the sharpness of the angle the chain bends , or some other such snake oil :smile:
Click to expand...

I think it's true... but until you're at a ludicrously serious level of cycling it's pretty unlikely that half a watt is going to do much for you!
 
cougie uk

cougie uk

Guru
nlmkiii said:
I think it's true... but until you're at a ludicrously serious level of cycling it's pretty unlikely that half a watt is going to do much for you!
Click to expand...
Well I suppose that half a watt is more important to beginners than pros as a percentage of their power ? But it's nothing compared to getting your position right on the bike or even doing up your jersey.
 
nlmkiii

nlmkiii

Senior Member
cougie uk said:
Well I suppose that half a watt is more important to beginners than pros as a percentage of their power ? But it's nothing compared to getting your position right on the bike or even doing up your jersey.
Click to expand...
As a percentage sure, but actually at beginner level it just doesn't matter, and even if it did there are a whole bunch of things that will say you way more than that.

BUT, as a percentage of difference between your fellow riders? At beginner level everyone is massively different. At pro level even the best to the worst the difference is remarkably small. Adding a watt may take you from the 100th best rider to the 80th!
At pro level you've done everything humanly possible to save every last watt. And maybe this last half a watt is the difference between your break sticking and not. Probably not 95% of the time, but that last 5% really matters.
 
A

AuroraSaab

Veteran
Cycle Store have some Pearl Izumi jackets reduced. The website makes it hard to list so you need to search but here's the best discounts:

Windproof jacket, £29

https://www.cyclestore.co.uk/pearl_izumi_select_barrier_windproof_jacket-ID_76281

Zip off sleeve jacket, £39

https://www.cyclestore.co.uk/pearl_izumi_elite_escape_convertible_windproof_jacket-ID_76277


BTR Sports have some 'seconds' reduced in their hi viz clothing section. I've never used this company so can't vouch for quality or service, I just saw it on a deal website. Reflective jacket now £19.


https://btrsports.co.uk/collections/high-visibility-clothing
 
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