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Technical Service Instructions SI-5TK0D

RD-5501 Rear Derailleur

RD-5500

General Safety Information

WARNING Note
• If gear shifting operations cannot be carried out smoothly, clean the
• Use neutral detergent to clean the chain. Do not use alkali-based or derailleur and lubricate all moving parts.
acid based detergent such as rust cleaners as it may result in • If the amount of looseness in the links is so great that adjustment is not
damage and/or failure of the chain. possible, you should replace the derailleur.
• Use the reinforced connecting pin only for connecting the narrow • You should periodically clean the derailleur and lubricate all moving parts
type of chain. (mechanism and pulleys).
• There are two different types of reinforced connecting pin available. • If gear shifting adjustment cannot be carried out, check the degree of
Be sure to check the table below before selecting which pin to use. parallelism at the rear end of the bicycle. Also check if the cable is
If connecting pins other than reinforced connecting pins are used, lubricated and if the outer casing is too long or too short.
or if a reinforced connecting pin or tool which is not suitable for the • If you hear abnormal noise as a result of looseness in a pulley, you should
type of chain is used, sufficient connection force may not be replace the pulley.
obtained, which could cause the chain to break or fall off. • For smooth operation, use the specified outer casing and the bottom
bracket cable guide.
Reinforced • Grease the inner cable and the inside of the outer casing before use to
Chain Chain tool
connecting pin ensure that they slide properly.
9-speed super narrow • Because the high cable resistance of a frame with internal cable routing
chain such as Silver TL-CN31 / TL-CN22 would impair the SIS function, this type of frame should not be used.
CN-7701 / CN-HG93 6.5mm

8- / 7- / 6-speed narrow • The end of the outer casing which has the aluminum cap should 4-mm cap
TL-CN31 / TL-CN22 and be at the derailleur side.
chain such as Black
TL-CN30 / TL-CN21
CN-HG50 / CN-IG51 7.1mm

• If it is necessary to adjust the length of the chain due to a change in Derailleur side
the number of sprocket teeth, make the cut at some other place
than the place where the chain has been joined using a reinforced Aluminum cap Plastic cap or 4-mm cap
connecting pin or an end pin. The chain will be damaged if it is cut • Parts are not guaranteed against natural wear or deterioration resulting
at a place where it has been joined Reinforced from normal use.
with a reinforced connecting End Pin Link Pin Connecting Pin
• For maximum performance we highly recommend Shimano lubricants and
pin or an end pin. C
E
maintenance products.
RA-A

DU • For any questions regarding methods of installation, adjustment,

maintenance or operation, please contact a professional bicycle dealer.
• Check that the tension of the chain is correct and that the chain is
not damaged. If the tension is too weak or the chain is damaged,
the chain should be replaced. If this is not done, the chain may
break and you may fall off the bicycle.
• Obtain, read and carefully service instructions when installing parts.
A loose, worn, or damaged parts may cause injury to the rider.
We strongly recommend that only genuine Shimano replacement
parts be used.
• Read these Technical Service Instructions carefully, and keep them
in a safe place for later reference.
In order to realize the best performance, we recommend that the
following combination be used.
Series SHIMANO 105
Shifting lever ST-5510 / ST-R600 / ST-5500-CA
Gears 18 27
Outer casing SIS-SP40
RD-5501 RD-5501-GS
Rear derailleur
RD-5500 RD-5500-GS
Type SS GS
Freehub FH-5501 / FH-5500
Cassette sprocket CS-HG70-9
Chain CN-HG73
Bottom bracket cable guide SM-SP17

Specifications
Type SS GS
Total capacity 29 teeth or less 37 teeth or less
Largest sprocket 27T 27T
Smallest sprocket 11T 11T
Front chainwheel tooth difference 14T 22T

Installation of the rear derailleur

When installing, be careful that deformation is not caused by the
B-tension adjustment screw coming into contact with the dropout tab.
Bracket spindle
tightening torque:
8 - 10 N·m
5 mm Allen key
{70 - 86 in. lbs.}

B-tension
adjustment screw

Dropout tab

Chain length
Smallest sprocket Largest chainring

Chain
Guide pulley

Tension pulley 90°

Right angle to the ground

 Stroke adjustment and
cable securing
1. Top adjustment
Turn the top adjustment screw to adjust so that the
guide pulley is below the outer line of the smallest
sprocket when looking from the rear.
Outer line of
smallest sprocket

1 2

1 2
Guide pulley
Top adjustment
screw

2. Connection and securing of

the cable
Connect the cable to the rear
Pull
derailleur and, after taking up the
initial slack in the cable,
re-secure to the rear derailleur as
shown in the illustration.
Tightening torque:
5 - 7 N·m {44 - 60 in. lbs.}

Note:
Be sure that the
cable is securely
in the groove.

Groove

3. Low adjustment
Turn the low adjustment screw so that the guide
pulley moves to a position directly in line with the
largest sprocket.

Largest sprocket

Guide pulley 1 2
Low adjustment
2 1 screw

4. How to use the B-tension adjustment screw

Mount the chain on the smallest chainring and the
largest sprocket, and turn the crank arm backward.
Then turn the B-tension adjustment screw to adjust
the guide pulley as close to the sprocket as possible
but not so close that it touches. Next, set the chain to
the smallest sprocket and repeat the above to make
sure that the pulley does not touch the sprocket.
Largest sprocket Smallest sprocket
2
2

1 2
1
B-tension
1 adjustment screw
5. SIS Adjustment
Operate the shifting lever several times to move the
chain to the 2nd sprocket. Then, while pressing the
lever just enough to take up the play in the lever, turn
the crank arm. Play
3 2

Lever (A)

When shifting to 3rd When no sound at all

is heard

Tighten the outer cable Loosen the outer

adjusting barrel until casing adjustment
the chain returns to the barrel until the chain
2nd sprocket. touches the 3rd
(clockwise) sprocket and makes
noise. (counter
clockwise)

Outer casing Outer casing

adjustment barrel adjustment barrel

Best setting
The best setting is when the
shifting lever is operated just
enough to take up the play and
the chain touches the 3rd
sprocket and makes noise.

* Return the lever to its original position (the position

where the lever is at the 2nd sprocket setting and it
has been released) and then turn the crank arm
clockwise. If the chain is touching the 3rd sprocket
and making noise, turn the outer casing adjustment
barrel clockwise slightly to tighten it until the noise
stops and the chain runs smoothly.

For the best SIS performance, periodically lubricate

all power-transmission parts.

One Holland, Irvine, California 92618, U.S.A. Phone: +1-949-951-5003

Industrieweg 24, 8071 CT Nunspeet, The Netherlands Phone: +31-341-272222

3-77 Oimatsu-cho, Sakai, Osaka 590-8577, Japan

Please note: specifications are subject to change for improvement without notice.
(English)
© Apr. 2003 by Shimano Inc. XBC SZK Printed in Japan