【A Drivetrain for Life】What's so great about the Madrone Jab Derailleur that cycling fanatics fall in love with it?

I've personally installed it on my own bike and used it for long rides, MTB races, and trail rides, and I experienced absolutely no stress or discomfort. I felt it was a truly reliable rear derailleur that I could trust.

It has also been well-received by our "bike geek" (enthusiast) customers, and we are currently experimenting with various customization combinations.

Originating from Ashland, Oregon, USA, it's a product brimming with potential, truly representing the "pinnacle of bike geekdom."

This time, I'd like to introduce Madrone's rear derailleur.

Modern high-end derailleurs are becoming increasingly electronic, making them difficult and costly for individuals to repair if they break.

He created this derailleur with the ideal of something that is high-performance yet versatile, repairable, and can be used for a long time.

While typical derailleurs are "crimped" to prevent disassembly, Madrone's can be completely disassembled with just bolts and an Allen key.

It's a truly lifelong tool that isn't disposable, as you can replace only the broken parts to repair it, or customize the rear derailleur itself to a different specification.

By simply swapping out a small part called a "cam," you can change the cable pull and make it compatible with shift levers from both Shimano and SRAM.

Even if the number of speeds changes between 11-speed and 12-speed, there's no need to buy a new derailleur; you can simply change the "cam."

(Actually, I even tried installing it on a Shimano 10-speed, and it worked without a hitch. This is outside the manufacturer's recommendations, so we're still experimenting in this area.)

By swapping out the "cam," the JAB derailleur can accommodate both drop bars and flat bars (road shifters or mountain bike shifters).

I installed the JAB derailleur on my "Ritchey Ultra" and raced with it almost straight out of the box, achieving a great result of 2nd place in the master class!

Even when moving the derailleur with my finger, there's almost no play, demonstrating its high precision and excellent rigidity.

Another point is the joy of setting up and maintaining it yourself, which is unique to analog (cable-actuated) systems.

Even though it got covered in mud, I was happy that I didn't have to worry about electrical shorts when washing it.

When going on gravel or exploratory rides, there were situations where the rear derailleur was completely submerged in water, so it was a little less stressful mentally during those times.

As of writing this blog, it's available in four colors: gray, silver, purple, and blue.

Also, there are two cage lengths available: long (compatible with 42-52T) and short (compatible with 40-44T), which can be chosen according to the size of the sprocket you're installing, and they can be exchanged later.

Spare parts are also available for each component, so even if they wear out, they can be replaced, which is a great aspect for long-term use.

It also supports the newly released 12-speed Shimano sprockets (9-45T).

 

I've considered who the new mechanical derailleur, the Madrone Jab, might be recommended for.

・Those who love analog and mechanical systems

Those who love record players, film photography, and classic guitars might find this quite similar. In modern times, you can play and listen to music and take photos with just a smartphone. But there's a meaning in "deliberately" doing things. Enjoying the effort. Wanting to make fine adjustments that digital can't provide. I think it's perfect for such people.

• Those who want to cherish one bicycle and one part for a long time

People who feel uncomfortable with parts standards that require other components to be changed when the derailleur is changed, or who want to keep using one specific part. People who want to use a part even if the number of speeds changes or the bicycle changes. I think this is a good choice.

• Those who ride bikes (like the Surly Grappler) that make it difficult to decide "drop or flat"

For those who currently use drop handlebars and road shifters, but might want to switch to flat handlebars for MTB in the future, the JAB derailleur is recommended, as it can accommodate both types of shifters with just one "cam."

While Madrone's JAB derailleur is highly versatile, the combination of "cam" and "lever" can be a bit complex.