Road derailleurs have short cages and are optimized for small range cassettes. Upper level versions offer stiffer bodies, lighter weight, and better pulley-wheel bearings.

Mountain bikes rear derailleurs are designed specifically for off-road use with things like a longer cage for greater gear range, tucked-in body design, and clean housing entry.

Road front derailleurs are typically designed to shift between 2 larger front chainrings. Optimized cage design ensures smooth shifting and wide linkage provides stiffness..

Mountain bike front derailleurs are available in many forms, with different mounting options, cable actuation methods, and cage designs designed to shift between 2 or 3 chainrings.