The R7 13-speed system is compatible with standard frames and universal derailleur hangers. The 14-speed system requires a UDH-compatible frame paired with the WHALEROAD dedicated 14-speed UDH hanger (model UDH-14).

Both speed options require a chainstay length (RC) of ≥410 mm and a standard 11-speed Shimano HG-L freehub body (base height 36.8 mm). Before installation, verify each item against the compatibility table in the product specification sheet.

The 14-speed system must use the WHALEROAD dedicated 14-speed UDH hanger (model UDH-14) with a standard UDH-compatible frame. Without the dedicated hanger, the derailleur cannot cover the full cassette range — no software adjustment can compensate for this.

A universal derailleur hanger can be used for 13-speed, and the hanger protrusion needs to be more than 3 mm.

Both 13-speed and 14-speed systems use a standard 11-speed Shimano HG-L freehub body with a base height of 36.8 mm.

Yes, absolutely. You just need to use the APP to select the correct speed cassette profile, then fine-tune it using the Global Offset and Individual Gear Offset features.

Yes, the R7 is compatible with carbon handlebars. When installing, apply an appropriate amount of carbon friction paste to all clamping surfaces — including the shifter clamp and the contact points between the shifter body and the bar — to ensure secure fixation.

R7 rear derailleur cage length & max cassette compatibility (1x system):

• Short Cage: 28T – 36T
• Medium Cage: 36T – 46T
• Long Cage: 42T – 52T

The minimum cassette cog compatible with all cage lengths is 10T.

WHALEROAD R7 cranks use a Ø29 mm high-strength alloy spindle, compatible with the following bottom bracket standards:

• BB-BSA29R
• BB86-29R
• BB30-29R
• BBRight-29R
• PF30-29R
• ITA-29R
• BB386-29R
• T47-68-29R
• T47-77A-29R
• T47-85.5-29R

For optimal performance, we recommend using genuine WHALEROAD components. The R7 13/14-speed chain (CN-R7-13/14) is purpose-designed for this system. WHALEROAD also offers matching cassettes, chainrings, and cranks.

If you intend to use third-party components, we strongly recommend consulting a professional mechanic or referring to the manufacturer's compatibility guide to ensure a perfect fit with the existing drivetrain and frame.

The brake pad specification for this system is 19 mm (height) × 30 mm (width). When replacing with third-party pads, verify that the outer dimensions match exactly.

The system is compatible with Shimano BH90 hoses. Note that the screw is M8.

No, it is not compatible.

The rear derailleur battery ships partially charged for transport safety reasons. You must fully charge it before first use. Charge in a dry indoor environment, and clean the charging port beforehand to ensure it is free of dust or debris.

Charging specification: 5 V / 2.1 A maximum. A full charge typically takes approximately 70 minutes.

The rear derailleur battery provides approximately 20,000 shifts per full charge (approx. 1,500 km). Ten minutes of charging can support 200 km of riding.

Charging LED status:

• Charging — solid red light
• Charge complete — red light off
• Charging error — flashing red light

Briefly press the pairing button on the derailleur or shifter — the LED will flash once:

• One green flash indicates more than 20% charge.
• One red flash indicates less than 20% charge, at which point you should charge the derailleur battery (or replace the shifter coin cell) immediately.

The battery levels are also visible in the WHALEROAD APP.

The shifter uses a CR2032 3V coin cell with an approximate lifespan of 1.5 years.

Replacement procedure:

1. Using a 1.5 mm Allen key, turn the two battery cover screws counterclockwise to remove them — keep the screws safe.
2. Note the orientation of the battery cover, and insert the coin cell with the positive [+] terminal facing the back of the shifter buttons.
3. Verify the waterproof O-ring is in place, then tighten the two screws clockwise to secure the cover.

Normal transport vibration will trigger repeated wake-ups. For best practice, remove the battery and store it separately before transport.

The WHALEROAD APP is available as a free download on the Apple App Store and Google Play. On first launch, grant the following permissions: allow mobile data access, and allow discovery and connection of nearby devices. If no prompt appears, you can enable these manually in your phone's settings.

Open the WHALEROAD APP home screen and tap "Add Device", then follow the on-screen instructions. Press and hold the pairing button on the rear derailleur for 5 seconds to enter pairing mode (the battery LED will flash green). Once the APP discovers the device, confirm the connection. Briefly press the pairing button for 2 seconds to exit pairing mode.

1. Connect the main device (rear derailleur): press and hold the pairing button for 5 seconds to enter pairing mode — the battery LED flashes green. The APP will auto-discover the device; confirm the connection.
2. Connect controllers: once the derailleur is paired, already-paired controllers will appear automatically. If not listed, go to "Manage Devices" → "Add Shifter", then press and hold the shifter function button for 5 seconds until the LED flashes green. The APP will auto-detect it — confirm the connection. Repeat this step for the second shifter.

A single electronic rear derailleur supports up to 4 controller devices.

Follow these troubleshooting steps:

• Check the battery levels on both the derailleur and shifter — ensure they are adequately charged.
• Confirm that the devices are successfully paired in the APP. If not, re-run the pairing process.
• Verify that the APP has been granted Bluetooth and data access permissions.
• If paired but still not working, try deleting the device in the APP and re-pairing.
• If the issue persists, contact WHALEROAD technical support or an authorized dealer.

Key features of the WHALEROAD APP include:

• Viewing device information (firmware version, battery level, etc.)
• Updating product firmware for the latest features and optimizations
• Creating bike profiles
• Pairing WHALEROAD R7 products
• Defining and saving cassette configurations (cassette speed, global offset, individual gear offset)
• Customizing shift button functions

Yes, the button functions on both the shifter and thumb controller can be customized in the WHALEROAD APP. You can adjust the button logic in the APP to suit your personal preference.

If the firmware update disconnects or fails, ensure the derailleur battery is sufficiently charged and retry. Maintain a stable Bluetooth connection and keep your phone within 1 meter of the device. If the device does not function properly afterward, contact WHALEROAD technical support or an authorized dealer.

The R7 rear derailleur supports Bluetooth connectivity, and gear position and battery information can be viewed via the WHALEROAD APP. Regarding ANT+/Bluetooth integration with third-party head units (such as Garmin, Wahoo), please follow WHALEROAD's official firmware update announcements or contact technical support to confirm the latest compatibility status.

Peel back the shifter hood, loosen the clamp screw, and slide the clamp onto the handlebar. Position it comfortably and hand-tighten with a 4 mm Allen key (do not fully tighten yet — you will need to adjust the angle when routing the hydraulic hose).

For carbon handlebars, apply carbon friction paste to all clamping surfaces between the shifter body, clamp, and bar. The final tightening torque is 6–7.5 N·m (for carbon bars, follow the handlebar manufacturer's torque limit).

Before installation, inspect the derailleur hanger for any visible bending or damage — even slight deformation can severely degrade shifting performance.

The R7 uses Flat-Mount caliper specification and is not compatible with Direct-Mount frames.

The lever reach adjustment changes the distance between the brake lever and the grip, accommodating different hand sizes, and also adjusts the brake stroke. Remove the rubber cap and use a 2 mm hex wrench to adjust the reach screw:

• Clockwise: decreases reach (lever moves closer to the bar).
• Counter-clockwise: increases reach (lever moves further from the bar).

Adjust to a comfortable position and reinstall the rubber cap.

Use the "large–large" method: route the chain through the rear derailleur, around the largest chainring, and around the largest cassette sprocket. Pull the two ends together at the point where the derailleur cage is at its most stretched position, then add 2 links (one inner plate + one outer plate). Cut the chain using a dedicated chain tool.

After sizing, verify both extremes: in the smallest cog, the chain should not rub on the guide pulley cage; in the largest cog, the cage should not be fully stretched to its mechanical limit.

Global Offset affects the shifting position of all gears — it is the electronic equivalent of cable tension on a mechanical derailleur. When all gears shift inaccurately, or the gear shown in the APP does not match the physical position, use this function for overall correction.

To adjust: open the Global Offset page in the APP, shift to gear 13 (the second-smallest cog), and observe the upper guide pulley alignment relative to the cassette from directly behind the bike. Adjust the global offset value (+ or −) until the guide pulley is vertically aligned with the cog. We recommend adjusting 1–2 steps at a time.

We recommend using the second-smallest cog (gear 13 on a 14-speed system) as the reference position for Global Offset adjustment.

Due to manufacturing tolerances in frames and cassettes, one or two gears may still require fine-tuning after Global Offset calibration. Individual Gear Offset allows you to independently adjust the offset of a specific cog (−50 to +50) without affecting other gears.

The tuning logic is: first use Global Offset to bring most gears to baseline accuracy, then use Individual Gear Offset to fine-tune specific cogs. When adjusting: shifting toward a larger cog, press [−]; shifting toward a smaller cog, press [+].

If the chain cannot reach the smallest cog, turn the H screw counterclockwise to loosen it. If the chain cannot reach the largest cog, turn the L screw counterclockwise to loosen it. After adjustment, re-verify that all gears shift smoothly.

If the limit screws still cannot achieve full alignment, use Individual Gear Offset in the APP for software compensation: for the smallest cog, adjust the offset on gear 14; for the largest cog, adjust the offset on gear 1.

Troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify that the APP cassette configuration matches the physical cassette.
2. Confirm that Global Offset is correctly calibrated (using gear 13 as reference).
3. Check that the H/L limit screws are properly set.
4. Verify the B-tension gap is 5–7 mm.
5. Use Individual Gear Offset to fine-tune problem cogs.
6. Inspect the derailleur hanger for deformation.
7. Confirm that chain length is appropriate.

If smooth shifting cannot be achieved after repeated adjustments, take the bike to an authorized dealer or a professional bike shop for inspection by a qualified mechanic.

The hydraulic brake system is factory-bled. The shifter master cylinder, hose, and caliper are all pre-filled with mineral oil. No additional bleeding is required on first installation. Bleeding is only necessary if fluid is lost during hose cutting or reconnection.

Bleeding is required in the following situations:

1. Fluid loss after hose cutting or reconnection.
2. A soft or spongy brake lever feel that does not improve after repeated pumping.
3. Insufficient braking power due to excessive air in the system.

You must use genuine mineral oil. Never mix mineral oils from different brands, and never mix mineral oil with DOT brake fluid.

If brake fluid contacts the rotor, clean it immediately with isopropyl alcohol (IPA). If brake fluid contacts the brake pads, the pads must be replaced — do not continue using oil-contaminated pads.

Never squeeze the brake lever when the rotor is not installed. Doing so will cause the pistons to over-extend, preventing retraction or causing fluid leakage, which may lead to complete brake failure.

First, repeatedly pump the brake lever (do not remove the caliper spacer block at this stage) — the lever feel should gradually firm up. If it still feels soft after repeated pumping, there is excessive air in the system and a bleed procedure is required (refer to the Bleeding Guide).

After bleeding, ride at least 30 km on flat roads before any aggressive riding. If the lever still feels soft after bleeding, repeat the entire bleed procedure from step one.

The rotor safe thickness limit is 1.65 mm. The brake pad friction material safe wear limit is 1 mm — if either is below these values, replacement is required.

Do not remove the battery when washing the derailleur; prevent water or cleaning agent from entering the battery contacts and circuit interfaces.

Never use a high-pressure water jet to directly wash the derailleur. High-pressure water can penetrate the motor and circuit modules, causing short circuits or corrosion. Instead, use low-pressure water or a damp cloth to gently wipe the derailleur surface.