Installing an XT RD on my cross bike

[merlinmurph]

I'm finally putting my XT RD on my IF 'cross bike so I can put a larger cassette on. Something is missing - there's no barrel adjuster for the RD. I checked another new XT RD I have and it doesn't have a barrel adjuster either. They're both threaded for one, there just isn't one there.

Is a barrel adjuster part of the RD or a separate piece? The RD is an XT RD-M772.

It's funny, I overhaul stuff all the time, but I don't think I've ever put a new RD on a bike.

Thanks,
Murph

[echelon_john]

I don't think the 772 has a barrel adjuster built in. (which stinks IMO)

you can get by with an inline adjuster, like one of these handy Ritchey units, which work great for pretty much any cable routing:

http://compare.ebay.com/like/300501917395?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&_lwgsi=y&cbt=y

I guess you could put it right on the derailleur, or run it within reach on the tt, dt, or wherever it's convenient.

[oldpotatoe]

I'm finally putting my XT RD on my IF 'cross bike so I can put a larger cassette on. Something is missing - there's no barrel adjuster for the RD. I checked another new XT RD I have and it doesn't have a barrel adjuster either. They're both threaded for one, there just isn't one there.

Is a barrel adjuster part of the RD or a separate piece? The RD is an XT RD-M772.

It's funny, I overhaul stuff all the time, but I don't think I've ever put a new RD on a bike.

Thanks,
Murph

Jagwire makes a plug in barrel adjuster that works just fine.

[mvrider]

Correct, I've installed the RD-M772 on my wife's bike, and had to install an in-line barrel adjuster from Jagwire.

So, on my most recent install, I searched for an older RD, and found the RD-M750. It is 9-speed, so compatible with 10-speed road shifters, and still has the barrel adjuster.

Just $25 from local Craigslist! Other models reaching back to 7-speed will work too, I understand.

http://www.nexternal.com/icycles/images/rdm750.jpg

[merlinmurph]

Whenever I hit one of these small snags, I always think I screwed up somehow. Thanks for the help. I'll check my LBS for an inline adjuster.
Thanks again, and enjoy your ride,
Murph

[xjoex]

I use a Jagwire Rocket adjuster. I place it up on the STI lever.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YpSwb6Vfvpg/R-MaySji40I/AAAAAAAAApI/emGhPsW83AU/s720/100_1031.JPG

http://jagwireusa.com/index.php/products/v/Rocket_Adjusters


http://robonza.blogspot.com/2008/03/whered-barrel-adjuster-go.html (http://robonza.blogspot.com/2008/03/whered-barrel-adjuster-go.html)

I've had this one on for 4 years now.

-Joe

[BobbyJones]

Aftermarket barrel adjusters are available...

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=79170

[mvrider]

Cool, I didn't know about the IRD barrel adjuster.

Alas, the OP's RD-M772 is a "Shadow" style RD, and Rivendell's note says:

Note: does not work on Shimano Shadow style rear derailers.

http://a248.e.akamai.net/origin-cdn.volusion.com/ctxtv.wmppt/v/vspfiles/photos/ca52-2T.jpg

[DHallerman]

Ah, but the Deore XT 751 is low-normal, the reverse of every typical road derailleur.

That might be okay for you, but you might want to be aware of that difference.

It's the model 750 that is high-normal, or -- in its next iteration -- the model 761 is the high-normal.

Dave, who uses both the 750 and the 761 with Campy Ergo shifters and the ShiftMate gizmo on several bikes with 9-speed cassettes

Correct, I've installed the RD-M772 on my wife's bike, and had to install an in-line barrel adjuster from Jagwire.

So, on my most recent install, I searched for an older RD, and found the RD-M751. It is 9-speed, so compatible with 10-speed road shifters, and still has the barrel adjuster.

Just $25 from local Craigslist! Other models reaching back to 7-speed will work too, I understand.

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/NOS-Shimano-XT-Rear-Derailleur-RD-M751-SGS-NEW-BOX-/00/s/ODAwWDYwMA==/$(KGrHqJ,!pQE7BcvTb,rBPD2sujjKw~~60_3.JPG

[rab]

Correct, I've installed the RD-M772 on my wife's bike, and had to install an in-line barrel adjuster from Jagwire.

So, on my most recent install, I searched for an older RD, and found the RD-M751. It is 9-speed, so compatible with 10-speed road shifters, and still has the barrel adjuster.

Just $25 from local Craigslist! Other models reaching back to 7-speed will work too, I understand.

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/NOS-Shimano-XT-Rear-Derailleur-RD-M751-SGS-NEW-BOX-/00/s/ODAwWDYwMA==/$(KGrHqJ,!pQE7BcvTb,rBPD2sujjKw~~60_3.JPG

How has this worked, any noticeable difference, quirks or ? Also, what shifters were you using. I have a couple of the same derailleurs and was mulling doing the same but lacked some confidence...and have thus far been too lazy to actually give it a shot. Thanks!

[Louis]

So does anyone out there have personal experience with plugging a barrel-adjuster into a Shadow style R-der? Or are we just thinking "it ought to work?"

Aside: One potential issue I thought of is that if the part you insert into the dérailleur hole is not held in tightly enough it may spin when you try to turn the barrel, and therefore not allow the adjuster to extend or retract. I suppose one could glue the adjuster in, but it's just another thing to have to mess around with.

[xjoex]

So does anyone out there have personal experience with plugging a barrel-adjuster into a Shadow style R-der? Or are we just thinking "it ought to work?"

Aside: One potential issue I thought of is that if the part you insert into the dérailleur hole is not held in tightly enough it may spin when you try to turn the barrel, and therefore not allow the adjuster to extend or retract. I suppose one could glue the adjuster in, but it's just another thing to have to mess around with.

Not me, I have had mine up at the lever for years and it works quite well. My thought being why have another entry point for dirt/muck down at the bottom of the bike.

-Joe

[Ralph]

Just a FYI.....Those reverse action XT and XTR rear derailleurs, can't remember exactly what you call them.....sure work good with friction shifting.

[mvrider]

How has this worked, any noticeable difference, quirks or ? Also, what shifters were you using. I have a couple of the same derailleurs and was mulling doing the same but lacked some confidence...and have thus far been too lazy to actually give it a shot. Thanks!

As DHallerman accurately pointed out, the model I installed is actually an RD-M750. I have corrected my original post.

My installation is on a Moots Psychlo-X (https://picasaweb.google.com/112227674531901972961/20120726MootsPX?authkey=Gv1sRgCM7Iu86p6dSUZA), with 50/34 crank and 6600-series derailleur in front, 6700-series shifters, and 11-36 Dyna-Sys (10sp) cassette. It's a bit of a hodgepodge, but it shifts smoothly!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BjzbldFTHYU/UBFjiyozZII/AAAAAAAACJY/EjD4a2gM5o4/s912/20120726-LX5-1040115.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IC64iyDcvo8/UBFjjA-qumI/AAAAAAAACJg/Fct8hNvOmhA/s912/20120726-LX5-1040113.jpg