Bummer!

[Fly Rod]

As you may know I am test riding my buddy's Kona race bike to try out a 29er. About 15 miles into my ride Sunday I dropped into some absolutely pristine single track. A 1/4 mile into it my front tire kicks up a 1/2" x 10" twig on the trail. I was hammering in the big ring and hit the brakes ASAP when I heard it. Too late!

The stick got sucked into the rear derailer of all things. It blew the lower part of the cage out and tweeked derailer @ 20 deg. I was able to align everything to be able to single speed it out the last 7 miles.

The bad news? It was the new XTR derailer with the carbon cage. I haven't even been able to find one for sale yet. Every indication is I am looking at a $200 test ride!

 

[Mr. Toad]

Ooof!

 

[liljlandon]

We had an issue like that on a rental bike in MOAB, of course it was more like a 50$ derailer, but i had to cut 2 spokes out of the wheel in order to free the mess up, shortened the chain to work like a single speed and the kid rode out. he was tired as hell that night though, single speeding slickrock has its downfalls

 

[ravewoofer]

I've seen an SRAM X.0 rear derailleur literally explode over a twig no wider than a pencil. I had to laugh when my friend was trying to pick up the pieces for repair. Total loss, no way around it, and.... he did it again a year later without sucking anything into the rear.

I've blown out two XTR rear derailleurs over the years, and knock wood, my present XTR is on it's third year.

 

[Fly Rod]

I've seen an SRAM X.0 rear derailleur literally explode over a twig no wider than a pencil. I had to laugh when my friend was trying to pick up the pieces for repair. Total loss, no way around it, and.... he did it again a year later without sucking anything into the rear.

I've blown out two XTR rear derailleurs over the years, and knock wood, my present XTR is on it's third year.

I know that it was only a matter of time. In almost 25 years of mountain biking this is the first derailleur I have blown up. I am just bummed it was on a buddies rig.

I found one on line for $160. I am waiting to hear back from my buddy who is in the industry. He is going to try to get one cheaper.