Bended XX1 derailleur cage

[carbonazza]

During my last ride, a big branch found its way between the derailleur and the wheel, and bended both.

Truing the wheel was easy, only a couple of spokes were hit.

I read SRAM cage parts are not replaceable => $$$ 
Did someone already re-aligned a derailleur cage that was bended? If so, how?

The dropout was slightly bended too, but clearly this is not the weakest link here.
The derailleur suffered the most.

[JohnnyNT]

The inner cage can be replaced according to SRAM manual, the outer is integrated. Found some replacements, but it's only inner cage as well: http://www.fibre-lyte.co.uk/fl/fl_cycles_carbon_gear_mech.html

[carbonazza]

After dismantling and inspecting better the derailleur, the story gets worse.
The inner cage is made of aluminium, and was easy to put back straight.
But the outer cage is made of composite, and there is a small crack just in the middle. So the derailleur is toast.

Now, what to replace it with?
I checked my preferred shop at the moment http://www.r2-bike.com

• An XX1, comes in two colors now, for 230€
• An X1, with only 15g more, and full aluminium instead of a composite mix for 157€
• Or may be it is time for something else... an XTR, but there is no grip shift for 160€

I read this post on mtbr and some others.
To finally jump on the more adventurous last option( less bulky/exposed form and even lighter )

[JohnnyNT]

I plan to do exactly the same on my Chiner in the works, XX1 cassette, XTR shifter and der. and KMC X11SL chain. Also, check CRC, they have some sales ATM and are probably cheaper than R2

[carbonazza]

I just checked various shops( bike24.com, crc and bike-discount.de )
R2 has the best prices today, and all items in stock.
Prices may vary by country of the visitor and the day.

I'm glad I'm not alone here to go with this setup
I was already using the KMC X11SL chain on the XX1.

The derailleur was slightly out of alignment, when I first tried the chain.
Causing chain noise at the derailleur.

After aligning it properly, the shifting was crisp.
With a more precise feel, than the XX1 chains I had before.

[kingchickenstrip]

I purchased this a while back and use check the alignment any time my shifting is off or have a crash. I love it, super easy to use. http://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-Derailleur-Hanger-Alignment/dp/B0028YWHPW

[cmh]

I plan to do exactly the same on my Chiner in the works, XX1 cassette, XTR shifter and der. and KMC X11SL chain. Also, check CRC, they have some sales ATM and are probably cheaper than R2

FYI - I tried to run an X11SL chain with the M9000 XTR derailleur, and it bound on the upper jockey pulley. The teeth are very pronounced and seem to be thicker. Maybe if I left it on there, it would have worn the pulley down, but I tried an X10SL which is a little wider, and that fixed the issue. So, strangely enough, I run an X10SL chain on my wife's XTR 1x11 bike, and the X11SL found a home on my 1x10 fat bike.

I asked around and had no luck finding another solution. Buddy of mine works for Shimano and I asked him and got the expected "use an XTR chain" response.

[carbonazza]

I did my first ride today with the unlikely mix of the XX1 cassette, the XTR 11 rear dérailleur and the X11SL chain(thanks cmh for the info, I'll check how the chain and pulleys interact).

I'm very happy of the change.
The shifting is crisp, more than with the XX1 dérailleur.
The move of the dérailleur seems to be firmer and precise.
And frankly the shifter an dérailleur looks better engineered and solid.
So if you break unfortunately your dérailleur, you may consider this option.
I miss the gripshift though.

I initially tried an PC-X1 chain, but it was jumping under load on the smaller sprockets.
Every 2-3 pedal revs, so probably a wrong link.
I don't know what to look at really, but I checked it and didn't see anything wrong.
So I put the X11SL back, and will contact the seller.