Shimano Ultegra RD-RX800 Rear Derailleur

Outfit your all-road or CX bike with Shimano’s Ultegra RD-RX800 Rear Derailleur and enjoy increased chain tension thanks to its mountain bike technology offering better chain management and less noise over rougher roads and gravel. Just like we’re accustomed to on its mountain rear derailleurs, a flip of the lever engages and disengages the clutch. When in the on position, the clutch increases the spring force to provide crisp shifting and zero chain slap and is easily flipped off for wheel changes. This is Shimano’s first rear derailleur featuring a clutch for drop bar bikes and since it works with both 1x and 2x setups, we feel it’s a must-have for gravel and ‘cross bikes.

Following in the footsteps of the revamped Dura-Ace and Ultegra groups, this RX derailleur gets its Shadow cage treatment placing it closer to the frame and under the cassette keeping it out of harm’s way and less likely to take the brunt of a driveside crash. This also allows the derailleur to move in a much more linear path allowing for shorter throws with less effort. It comes in one cage length, long, which accommodates an 11-34t cassette allowing for a wide range gear ratio when paired with a double without the usual huge jumps between the cogs like on a 1x setup.

Sitting under the Ultegra umbrella means it gets the usual materials and finishes that we expect from a groupset that’s just one step from the top. Its weight, smoothness, and durability make it more than capable of racing against the competition on course, or the sun to your campsite for the night on a bikepacking trip.