SRAM X.9 Rear Derailleur failure

I think I saw a defect, or are they supposed to do that?

This does not inspire confidence!

Phil said:

This is a post from alt.mountain-bike. I wanted to see if anyone had
insights into this. The OP is an experienced rider who would know shifting
problems if there were any.
------------------------------
Well, I got a letter from SRAM today:

http://www.schnauzers.ws/sramletter.jpg

It doesn't look like they are going to give me a new derailleur. They
said it went into the spokes. Yeh, after it broke the [censored] off the damn
hanger! I swear that was the second ride on it. The thing was hanging
off the bike for the five mile walk out banging into the spokes as I
walked. I just don't have the energy to make them understand. Does
this look like a result of banging into the spokes?

http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2285.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2286.jpg

unfortunately, with mud on the fracture surface and low resolution pics,
it's hard to say for sure. but either way, you have to replace it.
there's no easily visible exidence of fatigue initiating at surface
damage, so maybe it's just a one-off.

fwiw, judging by the relatively complex shape & lack of evident
machining, it may be that the piece is cast, not forged. that will give
it a much inferior fatigue performance compared to a forged piece like
shimano.

Quoted message said:

They said they'll work with my LBS to get me an affordable replacement.
What does that mean? If it means cheap, as in "at cost" then fine.
Although, it doesn't matter because I have to get a new one anyway since
I have too much invested in the shifters.

Oh well, looks like a trip to the shop soon.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws
----------------------------

jim beam said:

fwiw, judging by the relatively complex shape & lack of evident
machining, it may be that the piece is cast, not forged. that will give
it a much inferior fatigue performance compared to a forged piece like
shimano.

probable cast with cheapest alumnium around, as the usual failure mode
is to explode in many pieces. I've had a novice breaking of the arm of a
new front deraileur by tightening the cable!

--
---
Marten Gerritsen

INFOapestaartjeM-GINEERINGpuntNL
www.m-gineering.nl

Phil said:

This is a post from alt.mountain-bike. I wanted to see if anyone had
insights into this. The OP is an experienced rider who would know shifting
problems if there were any.
------------------------------
Well, I got a letter from SRAM today:

http://www.schnauzers.ws/sramletter.jpg

It doesn't look like they are going to give me a new derailleur. They
said it went into the spokes. Yeh, after it broke the [censored] off the damn
hanger! I swear that was the second ride on it. The thing was hanging
off the bike for the five mile walk out banging into the spokes as I
walked. I just don't have the energy to make them understand. Does
this look like a result of banging into the spokes?

http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2285.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2286.jpg

They said they'll work with my LBS to get me an affordable replacement.
What does that mean? If it means cheap, as in "at cost" then fine.
Although, it doesn't matter because I have to get a new one anyway since
I have too much invested in the shifters.

Oh well, looks like a trip to the shop soon.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws
----------------------------

A few years ago, SRAM ESP rear derailers were notorious for
self-destructing in exactly this way. I know, I had a long walk out of
the woods on my first or second ride with mine. They replaced it, but
the whole episode left me feeling a bit squishy about SRAM derailers.

Of course my failure also took out the derailer hanger and several
spokes, which they didn't replace...

Peter Cole said:

Phil said:

This is a post from alt.mountain-bike. I wanted to see if anyone had
insights into this. The OP is an experienced rider who would know
shifting problems if there were any.
------------------------------
Well, I got a letter from SRAM today:

http://www.schnauzers.ws/sramletter.jpg

It doesn't look like they are going to give me a new derailleur. They
said it went into the spokes. Yeh, after it broke the [censored] off
the damn hanger! I swear that was the second ride on it. The thing
was hanging off the bike for the five mile walk out banging into the
spokes as I walked. I just don't have the energy to make them
understand. Does this look like a result of banging into the spokes?

http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2285.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2286.jpg

They said they'll work with my LBS to get me an affordable
replacement. What does that mean? If it means cheap, as in "at
cost" then fine. Although, it doesn't matter because I have to get a
new one anyway since I have too much invested in the shifters.

Oh well, looks like a trip to the shop soon.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws
----------------------------

A few years ago, SRAM ESP rear derailers were notorious for
self-destructing in exactly this way. I know, I had a long walk out of
the woods on my first or second ride with mine. They replaced it, but
the whole episode left me feeling a bit squishy about SRAM derailers.

Of course my failure also took out the derailer hanger and several
spokes, which they didn't replace...

Those were mostly plastic, weren't they?

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

I have an ESP 7.0 that I was planning to use on a bike I am building.
Is it a great, steaming, load o' crrrrap? It seems well made, but I
guess everthing does until it breaks, then you find out how well made
it really was.

Phil said:

Peter Cole wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

A few years ago, SRAM ESP rear derailers were notorious for
self-destructing in exactly this way. I know, I had a long walk out of
the woods on my first or second ride with mine. They replaced it, but
the whole episode left me feeling a bit squishy about SRAM derailers.

Of course my failure also took out the derailer hanger and several
spokes, which they didn't replace...

Those were mostly plastic, weren't they?

Yes, but painted to look like CF, an ultra-cheesy practice.

hfhfh said:

I have an ESP 7.0 that I was planning to use on a bike I am building.
Is it a great, steaming, load o' crrrrap? It seems well made, but I
guess everthing does until it breaks, then you find out how well made
it really was.

I don't know, my failure was a ESP 9.0, apparently a lot of the early
ones failed. The replacement has been solid for a few years now.

Peter Cole said:

Phil said:

Peter Cole wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

A few years ago, SRAM ESP rear derailers were notorious for
self-destructing in exactly this way. I know, I had a long walk out
of the woods on my first or second ride with mine. They replaced
it, but the whole episode left me feeling a bit squishy about SRAM
derailers. Of course my failure also took out the derailer hanger and
several
spokes, which they didn't replace...

Those were mostly plastic, weren't they?

Yes, but painted to look like CF, an ultra-cheesy practice.

I didn't think you were referring to the X.0.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training