About adjusting Shimano's XTR Shadow Plus rear derailleur...

I ride one and will definitely try adjusting the friction clutch now.
No thanks, I'll leave the inside of my $250 derailleur to a real mechanic.
Seems easy enough. I'd give it go if I could get my hands on a Shadow Plus.
A clutch, really? Give me a roller guide and a Shadow Minus.

Embed

10 Comments

smashnuk (Jan 31, 2012 at 19:26)

What is the purpose of the off switch on the derailleur ? Why not just have it always be firm ? I have experimented with the derailleur and found no loss in shifting performance throughout a range of gears with it in the on position ? The extra material is just adding weight to a system that could be made lighter and with no chain suck anyways. I appologize if i have missed a technical detail, but id love some insight. Thanks !

thecarpy (Aug 11, 2013 at 15:34)

It's to make wheel removal and installation easier.

dyolfknip (Feb 9, 2012 at 5:47)

@smashnuk, Without being able to release the clutch/tension, you'd have a difficult time removing the rear wheel for fixing flats, etc. The only other option would be to remove the chain first...

Enduro27 (Aug 12, 2013 at 16:32)

adjusting the clutch is super easy, you just take the dust cover off and tighten the clutch bolt clockwise with a 6mm open end wrench

silverfish1974 (Jan 24, 2015 at 16:11)

Thought it was a 5.5mm wrench....I bought the proper tool, the Park Tool DW-2 derailleur clutch alignment wrench. Its a small blue coloured steel double ended wrench about 73mm in length with a 5.5mm and a 3mm open end. Although I think the XTR derailleur comes with a built in wrench.

silverfish1974 (Jan 24, 2015 at 17:01)

Oh never mind I've just replied to a one & a half year old comment...

pigman65 (Jan 25, 2015 at 10:22)

Lol

wobbem (Jan 31, 2012 at 4:00)

Would I be right in thinking the clutch also helps in preventing chain suck?

pbuser30914 (Apr 23, 2017 at 8:12)

worried about chain slap? pick a better line!

seraph (Aug 13, 2013 at 16:15)

I don't ride one and I don't care about being able to adjust the tension on my Type 2 clutch.