Schwinn Derailler

[nobachi2000]

I twisted my derailler. Can I replace the derailler on my 27 inch
Schwinn 10 speed bicycle with any brand?

[wanderingwheel]

What kind of shifter do you have?  Is the frame and dropout in good shape?  Is it a bolt-on derailluer, or is it clamped on by the rear axle?

If you have friction shifters (they don't click into each gear), the yes you can use any derailluer that has enough chain capacity for your gears.  If you have index shifters (they do click into each gear), then you may be able to use most brands, but shifting will be best if you can find the same brand on ebay or in some classifieds.  Regardless of which brand you go with, stay away from modern, high-end derailluers because they may be too narrow to fit a 5-speed chain.

Sean

[nobachi2000]

Hi Sean,
Thanks for your information.  My Schwinn has a friction derailler
that bolts on to the rear wheel.  Will any bike store carry friction
derailler?
Tom

[DaveB]

The derailleur doesn't define whether it's friction or indexing, the shifters do.  With friction shifters ANY make derailleur will work if, as noted, it can "wrap up" enough chain for your current gearing.

[RussellSeaton]

Take the bike to the bike shop and most likely they will have what you need.  When the other person asked whether the rear derailleur bolts onto the bike or is clamped on by the rear axle, he meant the following.  

1. Bolt on rear derailleurs bolt into a hole/nut formed into the frame itself.  The rear derailleur has a bolt at the top of it that screws into this threaded hole in the frame.  Usually uses a 5 mm Allen wrnech to turn the head of the bolt.  This style of rear derailleur is used on all bikes priced $400 and up.  The link below shows what this type of bolt on derailleur looks like on a bike.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2006/tech/probikes/?id=cofidis_wilier_sutton/chris_sutton_cofidis_wilier57


2.  Rear derailleurs that are clamped on by the rear axle have a piece of steel formed into a hook at the top.  The rear derailleur may bolt onto this hook piece.  Usually the hook is chromed steel, 1/8" - 3/16" thick.  This hook goes around the top and back of the rear wheel axle and is held in place by the rear axle.  The hook piece also may be bolted to the frame by a small 1/4" bolt.  The hook and rear derailleur can rotate around this little bolt so its actually the rear wheel axle that keeps it in place when riding.  All department store bikes have this very cheap way to attach a rear derailleur to a bike.  All cheap bikes use this method.  Its also a way to fix a bike from category 1 if you rip off the hole on the frame that the rear derailleur bolts into.  Just clamp on this hook piece and rear derailleur and you are in business again.  I'm guessing your 10 speed Schwinn has the clamp on hook arrangement of attaching a rear derailleur.  Below is a link to the hook type of clamp on rear derailleur.

http://harriscyclery.net/page.cfm?PageID=49&action=details&sku=RD8151