flocsy

Hi,

I bought a Scott Scale 980 with Shimano Deore M6100 1x12 derailleur. In the shop I asked about the clutch, because I didn't have it on my previous bike. The guy who sold me the bike told me that he usually disengages it, but when I asked for the reason he couldn't really tell me why.

So what is the best practice? Should I really only engage it on rough terrain? Does that enlengthen the life time? Or should I engage it all the time and only disable it when I need to remove the wheel?

Russ Roth

I predominantly only ride my MTB offroad and have yet to disengage it. The few times I've ridden it on road or smooth path it never even occurred to me, I kinda forget its there but I do notice my chainstay isn't looking banged up. Doubt its worth the effort to add one more thing to think about, just ride it and move on.

jadmt

Just when replacing rear wheel. I read a report where it is more efficient engaged for some reason i don’t remember why tho

prj71

Leave it engaged. No benefit to disengage it.

Clutch keeps tension on the train and prevents chain slap and prevents the chain from dropping when riding rough terrain.

Polaris OBark

The primary function of the clutch is to keep the chain on a single front chainring. (It can also help with chain-slap.)

I've never met one that I liked. I also typically have 2 front chainrings, so I don't need it. It makes shifting rougher and less responsive.

I always turn it off, or take it out, or whatever.

It is just one more little piece to go wrong. It often does. It is considered a consumable part.

LJR69

If you're riding a lot of gnarly dh, tabletop jumps and drops then the clutch will help keep the chain on the chainring and reduce chain slap. I never disengage mine unless I'm removing the rear wheel. It's rider preference really.

biker128pedal

I had picked up a stick in in my rear derailleur which flipped the clutch off. Boy was the chain slap noisy over the roots. I thought I’d had broken something.

RB1-luvr

I switched to a clutch derailleur for my cross bike and it was a game changer. I have not dropped the chain in a race since. I only disengage it to take out the rear wheel.

alcjphil

The only time I have disengaged the clutch on my GRX rear derailleur is when I remove the rear wheel. I have heard that shifting might be a bit smoother with it off on smooth roads, but it is already so good with the clutch on I just leave it that way

Polaris OBark

The primary reason to have a clutch is to lessen the likelihood of dropping the chain from a 1X front chainring. The secondary reason is to lessen chain slap.

If you have a 2X front, I would disengage it.

If it annoys you (eg rough shifting), I would disengage it. You will probably have to re-adjust your rear derailleur, which makes flipping it on and off frequently a PITA.

I personally hate clutches and seem to ruin them frequently.

Polaris OBark

Oops.

Eric F 

I have a GRX derailleur on my 1x gravel bike. With the clutch on, shifting seems slower and requires more effort. Because of this, I ride with the clutch off. I haven't had an issue with dropping the chain.

travbikeman

I found that if a user has a hard tail mountain bike with the Shimano clutch like the Deore or better, and they don't actually mountain bike, but ride mainly gravel trails....They "may" like shifting it better with the clutch off.

Ok, this might open a can of worms with some people.

With the clutch off, it may for some shift easier and smoother. I say may, since it really depends on a personal preference. Shifting has a lighter action when the clutch is off.

If you are actually riding single track trails, grow your thumb muscles and engage the clutch!

Kapusta

I find this is true for down shifting (to a larger cog). The shift at the lever feels the same, but you feel a tad less resistance at the pedals at the shift completes. For the most part, though, I can't really tell either way. I notice it on the bike stand, but not when riding.