Replacement 8spd Rear Mech

[Tom B]

I currently have a Shimano Acera Rear Mech fitted to my hybrid. It is a little poorly and misshapen after a trip into the spokes on a track that it really shouldn't have been on. In fairness the whole thing was getting a bit loose and sloppy having been whacked more than once.

I have been pretty happy with it and it has given little trouble given it is supposedly entry level and other than cleaning and a new cable has had no maintenance.
I have had a look and replacement Acera mechs can be bought for about £22, so not worth faffing about with.

The version on sale now appears to be a revised model from mine.

I am just wondering if anyone here has experience of the latest model and has any thoughts, especially vice the Deore model which is about £26 at al-frauds (after BC discount)

CRC links

Deore http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-deore-m591-9-speed-rear-mech/rp-prod40543
Acera http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-acera-m360-7-8-speed-rear-mech/rp-prod38673

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I have that version of the Acera mech and it's fine - does everything asked of it and has lasted well so far.

However, if you can get a Deore for only £3 or £4 extra I wouldn't think twice about getting that one instead.

 

[raleighnut]

I think that Deore is about the best you can get to work with 8speed, Shimano beggared around with 'pull ratios' after that one.

 

[Racing roadkill]

I've got the Acera you mention on my old Hybrid, it's a solid bit of kit given the price. I've not bothered upgrading it, but if the Deore is a similar price, it's a no brainer really.

 

[Racing roadkill]

Shimano beggared around with 'pull ratios' after that one.

Yes they did, it's worth bearing that in mind.

 

[gbb]

Assuming your RD is mounted to a hanger, I'd be checking that too after what sounds like a fairly catastrophic failure. It's quite likely to have got bent.

 

[Tom B]

Assuming your RD is mounted to a hanger, I'd be checking that too after what sounds like a fairly catastrophic failure. It's quite likely to have got bent.

Already on order!

 

[Tom B]

I think that Deore is about the best you can get to work with 8speed, Shimano beggared around with 'pull ratios' after that one.

How do you mean "after that one"? Do you mean as they range moves more towards the premium end, as the range gets more modern or as they get towards greater numbers of speeds?

I've got the Acera you mention on my old Hybrid, it's a solid bit of kit given the price. I've not bothered upgrading it, but if the Deore is a similar price, it's a no brainer really.

Is Deore so much better?

 

[Drago]

No, just a touch lighter.

 

[Racing roadkill]

No, just a touch lighter.

It's a far nicer mechanism as well, smoother, and more robust.

 

[Drago]

Can't say I can feel the difference and I got bikes with each.

 

[raleighnut]

How do you mean "after that one"? Do you mean as they range moves more towards the premium end, as the range gets more modern or as they get towards greater numbers of speeds?



Is Deore so much better?

To a degree both, the XT always was different pull and 9-10 went to similar when it came out. Mix and match can be a minefield but can sometimes work for instance I have a Dura-ace set of bar-ends (8or9 speed) coupled to a 10speed 105 rear mech (alternative cable clamp position) that index perfectly on not only the correct Dura-ace 8 speed but also on a Sora 8 speed cassette, albeit not perfectly but close enough to run OK on indexing (I was thinking if they wouldn't I can just 'switch' the indexing off on the shifters)

 

[Moodyman]

One thing to bear in mind is that the jockey wheels on Acera are a different size - larger than standard. This will be as an issue when you need to replace them as they're harder to find.

The Deore jockeys are a standard size and so, are more accessible.

 

[Vantage]

The bushes in an Acera mech will wear out before the jockey wheels need replacing so no issue there. I'm on my third Acera mech.

 

[Racing roadkill]

The bushes in an Acera mech will wear out before the jockey wheels need replacing so no issue there. I'm on my third Acera mech.

I've had that Acera on for over 15000 miles, I've had no need to change the jockey wheels or bushes.