road FD/triple recommendations
#1
(rhymes with spook)
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,795
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
road FD/triple recommendations
hey all.....hope this finds you well
i'm on the ebay hunt for an early/mid 90's unit that will work well with shimano road sti. need not be fancy, either. actually would prefer it not be. keep asking prices down to the ol' budget. what's your recommendation? i'm sure there are groups i haven't thought of
i need it to shift an early 90's deore lx crankset, though. would it work?
thanks!!
i'm on the ebay hunt for an early/mid 90's unit that will work well with shimano road sti. need not be fancy, either. actually would prefer it not be. keep asking prices down to the ol' budget. what's your recommendation? i'm sure there are groups i haven't thought of
i need it to shift an early 90's deore lx crankset, though. would it work?
thanks!!
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,127
Mentioned: 480 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3788 Post(s)
Liked 6,573 Times
in
2,580 Posts
Are your Shimano brifters 8 speed, I assume, with left designed for a triple or are you looking for those, too? If it’s just mechs, I’m a big fan of 90s XTR derailleurs. Available in medium to long cage rear and front that handles triples no problem (though you need to make sure you find a bottom pull FD).
Likes For nlerner:
#3
(rhymes with spook)
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,795
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
Are your Shimano brifters 8 speed, I assume, with left designed for a triple or are you looking for those, too? If it’s just mechs, I’m a big fan of 90s XTR derailleurs. Available in medium to long cage rear and front that handles triples no problem (though you need to make sure you find a bottom pull FD).
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 14,787
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 522 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3228 Post(s)
Liked 3,853 Times
in
1,436 Posts
6503 Ultegra should work, and you can usually find them cheap. Among new components, Microshift makes a silver triple fd that looks and works great.
Likes For Andy_K:
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,988
Bikes: ‘87 Marinoni SLX Sports Tourer, ‘79 Miyata 912 by Gugificazione
Mentioned: 166 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 500 Post(s)
Liked 464 Times
in
255 Posts
With Shimano STI, you will definitely need a Shimano Road Triple FD: Sora, Claris, Tiagra (I believe), 105, Ultegra. Not sure if there was a DA a triple FD. They designed those road FD’s with a shorter pull arm from pivot to cable clamp that is required for compatibility with indexing STI front shifters. The MTB FD’s (Deore, XT, XTR, not sure what the others are) have a longer pull arm that doesn’t shift correctly due to incorrect pull ratio with those road brifters.
One thing to watch out for: some of those Shimano road FD’s have a very deep inner cage plate that doesn’t seem to work on big-middle ring differences of 8T or less because it drags on the middle ring when shifted to the outer ring. Here’s the triple FD cage shape that does work: I’d offer it for the price of postage, but this one has failed at the spring retention prong.
Don’t get me going on the value of indexing front shifts - I’m an Ergo shifter guy that can use anything in front.
BTW, a DT front shift lever can use anything also. My son’s DA 9-speed front shifter stop working, so we installed a DA front DT shifter. Works great, and more easily trimmed, for the few occasions that he makes a front shift.
One thing to watch out for: some of those Shimano road FD’s have a very deep inner cage plate that doesn’t seem to work on big-middle ring differences of 8T or less because it drags on the middle ring when shifted to the outer ring. Here’s the triple FD cage shape that does work: I’d offer it for the price of postage, but this one has failed at the spring retention prong.
Don’t get me going on the value of indexing front shifts - I’m an Ergo shifter guy that can use anything in front.
BTW, a DT front shift lever can use anything also. My son’s DA 9-speed front shifter stop working, so we installed a DA front DT shifter. Works great, and more easily trimmed, for the few occasions that he makes a front shift.
Last edited by Dfrost; 11-07-20 at 05:43 PM.
Likes For Dfrost:
#6
Full Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Worcester, Massachusetts
Posts: 314
Bikes: Fuji Sportif 1.7C, Shogun Metro AT, Jamis Durango SX, Miyata Alumicross, Fuji Special Road Racer, Mongoose ATB, Fuji SST 1.0 Team, Gitane (?), Specialized Rockhopper SS, Univega Gran Turismo, Univega Supra Sport Mixte, Nishiki Tri-A, Diamondback Coil
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 82 Post(s)
Liked 141 Times
in
78 Posts
I have an Ultegra 6503 FD on my Miyata Alumicross and it is without a doubt the best, most trouble-free FD I’ve had. In fact, when I’m riding that bike it’s the only time I’ve ever actually noticed what a good job the front derailleur does.
As others have said, however, it’s not completely mix-and-match; I’ve owned or worked on a lot of bikes, they can be finicky; you think you have everything figured out and when it gets clamped on it hits the chain stay in low gear, etc. Helps to have a few different cage shapes in the bins for trial-and-error.
As others have said, however, it’s not completely mix-and-match; I’ve owned or worked on a lot of bikes, they can be finicky; you think you have everything figured out and when it gets clamped on it hits the chain stay in low gear, etc. Helps to have a few different cage shapes in the bins for trial-and-error.
Likes For PugRider:
#7
(rhymes with spook)
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,795
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
really i am wanting to go with something early/mid 90's to keep it "looking right" with all the other bits. was ultegra made that early? i'll have to dig into it more. i mean, i have doodled about on ebay looking at early ultegra, but most of it was 9spd double and then 10spd on double or triple.
#8
(rhymes with spook)
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,795
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
With Shimano STI, you will definitely need a Shimano Road Triple FD: Sora, Claris, Tiagra (I believe), 105, Ultegra. Not sure if there was a DA a triple FD. They designed those road FD’s with a shorter pull arm from pivot to cable clamp that is required for compatibility with indexing STI front shifters. The MTB FD’s (Deore, XT, XTR, not sure what the others are) have a longer pull arm that doesn’t shift correctly due to incorrect pull ratio with those road brifters.
One thing to watch out for: some of those Shimano road FD’s have a very deep inner cage plate that doesn’t seem to work on big-middle ring differences of 8T or less because it drags on the middle ring when shifted to the outer ring. Here’s the triple FD cage shape that does work: I’d offer it for the price of postage, but this one has failed at the spring retention prong.
Don’t get me going on the value of indexing front shifts - I’m an Ergo shifter guy that can use anything in front.
BTW, a DT front shift lever can use anything also. My son’s DA 9-speed front shifter stop working, so we installed a DA front DT shifter. Works great, and more easily trimmed, for the few occasions that he makes a front shift.
One thing to watch out for: some of those Shimano road FD’s have a very deep inner cage plate that doesn’t seem to work on big-middle ring differences of 8T or less because it drags on the middle ring when shifted to the outer ring. Here’s the triple FD cage shape that does work: I’d offer it for the price of postage, but this one has failed at the spring retention prong.
Don’t get me going on the value of indexing front shifts - I’m an Ergo shifter guy that can use anything in front.
BTW, a DT front shift lever can use anything also. My son’s DA 9-speed front shifter stop working, so we installed a DA front DT shifter. Works great, and more easily trimmed, for the few occasions that he makes a front shift.
thank you for the inner plate/ring mating tip. i really hadn't thought of it. that sora FD is something i will look for. trivially, it kinda goes with a "hierarchy matching" of the rest of the drivetrain ...vs. DA or ultegra
i have a shimergo set up on one bike, i get it
no DT shifters for me, anymore...haha! i'm over it. besides, no boss on the frame for it. so, good excuse
#9
(rhymes with spook)
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,795
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
I have an Ultegra 6503 FD on my Miyata Alumicross and it is without a doubt the best, most trouble-free FD I’ve had. In fact, when I’m riding that bike it’s the only time I’ve ever actually noticed what a good job the front derailleur does.
As others have said, however, it’s not completely mix-and-match; I’ve owned or worked on a lot of bikes, they can be finicky; you think you have everything figured out and when it gets clamped on it hits the chain stay in low gear, etc. Helps to have a few different cage shapes in the bins for trial-and-error.
As others have said, however, it’s not completely mix-and-match; I’ve owned or worked on a lot of bikes, they can be finicky; you think you have everything figured out and when it gets clamped on it hits the chain stay in low gear, etc. Helps to have a few different cage shapes in the bins for trial-and-error.
#10
(rhymes with spook)
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,795
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
https://www.ebay.com/itm/microSHIFT-...|clp%3A2334524
that does look pretty good. hmmm....i may do that if i can't find anything a bit cheaper. ha...yeah, cheap = name of the game lately
oh, btw....the ad mentions rings of 52-30. you think it would work well for a 48-28 set up?
#11
Full Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Worcester, Massachusetts
Posts: 314
Bikes: Fuji Sportif 1.7C, Shogun Metro AT, Jamis Durango SX, Miyata Alumicross, Fuji Special Road Racer, Mongoose ATB, Fuji SST 1.0 Team, Gitane (?), Specialized Rockhopper SS, Univega Gran Turismo, Univega Supra Sport Mixte, Nishiki Tri-A, Diamondback Coil
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 82 Post(s)
Liked 141 Times
in
78 Posts
Likes For PugRider:
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,824
Bikes: Paletti,Pinarello Monviso,Duell Vienna,Giordana XL Super,Lemond Maillot Juane.& custom,PDG Paramount,Fuji Opus III,Davidson Impulse,Pashley Guv'nor,Evans,Fishlips,Y-Foil,Softride, Tetra Pro, CAAD8 Optimo,
Mentioned: 154 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2300 Post(s)
Liked 4,764 Times
in
1,725 Posts
really i am wanting to go with something early/mid 90's to keep it "looking right" with all the other bits. was ultegra made that early? i'll have to dig into it more. i mean, i have doodled about on ebay looking at early ultegra, but most of it was 9spd double and then 10spd on double or triple.
__________________
Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
#13
Senior Member
Maybe a Shimano RSX FD-A417, from mid '90's. Not a top group component but may work since it's 7/8 speed, designed for smaller outer ring, and part of a road group. Matching crank was 46 or 48 teeth outer ring. Should be inexpensive.
#14
(rhymes with spook)
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,795
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
RSX!! now, see? there's definitely a group i hadn't thought of. thank you. i'll keep my eyes open for that, too
#15
(rhymes with spook)
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,795
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
#16
(rhymes with spook)
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,795
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
right. in my thinking 48 is only a few teeth away from the standard 52/50 outer rings. probably not a big deal. thanks!!!!
#17
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 9,170
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
Mentioned: 132 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1554 Post(s)
Liked 1,273 Times
in
845 Posts
As long as the tooth count difference between the big and middle rings is the same 10t as the 9s Ultegra/105 triples or the 8s 105/RX100/RSX triples, the derailer should work well.
Exceptions are "flat-bar" mtb and road derailers or anything made to work with a 52-39-30t crankset, which won't work well if at all.
Exceptions are "flat-bar" mtb and road derailers or anything made to work with a 52-39-30t crankset, which won't work well if at all.
Likes For dddd:
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 679
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 254 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 182 Times
in
141 Posts
For what it's worth, I have an ~2000 Sora triple (I don't remember the model number, but it is the 3x8 gearing). That FD does not have the deep cage plate that the newer Sora pictured above has. It works very nicely with the stock 30-42-52 chainrings as well as on the 26-39-50 that I currently have it set up with. I can't imagine it would have any trouble with your 28-38-48.
Likes For AeroGut:
#19
(rhymes with spook)
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,795
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
thank you for all the generous input, everyone. i think i have enough basis for my needs, now. much appreciated!
#20
(rhymes with spook)
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,795
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
here's an rsx. now, dude says it's an mtb derailleur. is he wrong?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-RSX...0AAOSw5R5dMPUQ
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-RSX...0AAOSw5R5dMPUQ
#21
Insane Bicycle Mechanic
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: other Vancouver
Posts: 9,811
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 788 Post(s)
Liked 688 Times
in
367 Posts
here's an rsx. now, dude says it's an mtb derailleur. is he wrong?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-RSX...0AAOSw5R5dMPUQ
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-RSX...0AAOSw5R5dMPUQ
__________________
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
Likes For Jeff Wills:
#22
Not lost wanderer.
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Lititz, Pa
Posts: 3,359
Bikes: In USA; 73 Raleigh Super Course dingle speed, 72 Raleigh Gran Sport SS, 72 Geoffry Butler, 81 Centurion Pro-Tour, 74 Gugie Grandier Sportier
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 885 Post(s)
Liked 979 Times
in
514 Posts
Here is what I did to a Shimano 105 5703 triple to run a 49x46x34 half step triple. I trimmed the back to fit the closeness of the 2 large chainrings.
The bike is currently apart and I can take a better pic of the derailleur If you would like.
The bike is currently apart and I can take a better pic of the derailleur If you would like.
Last edited by bwilli88; 11-09-20 at 05:37 AM.
#23
Dirty Heathen
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: MC-778, 6250 fsw
Posts: 2,188
Bikes: 1997 Cannondale, 1976 Bridgestone, 1998 SoftRide, 1989 Klein, 1989 Black Lightning #0033
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 889 Post(s)
Liked 906 Times
in
534 Posts
here's an rsx. now, dude says it's an mtb derailleur. is he wrong?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-RSX...0AAOSw5R5dMPUQ
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-RSX...0AAOSw5R5dMPUQ
#24
(rhymes with spook)
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,795
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
thanks for the heads up! i'll keep that in mind should i run into any trouble in set up