Standard front derailleur to frame with direct mount?
10-21-20, 07:41 AM
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Standard front derailleur to frame with direct mount?
Long time cyclist, but first time trying to build one up from a gravel bike frame - titanium, so bit of a newbie. Frame / derailleur question.
I'm having a bike frame custom built and have the option from the builder for front derailleur mount of 1)none 2)standard direct mount 3)E2 Direct Mount 4)Shimano high direct mount
My main issue is selecting one of these (or none). I'd like to have a 2X Shimano GRX (or possibly Ultegra) drivetrain installed, but not sure due to availability or price at the moment that it will be the first build for this frame. I have another lightly used Shimano (tiagra) 2X drivetrain on another bike that I thought about taking off and using for now, but it is not a direct mount derailleur.
If I have the frame custom made with a Shimano high direct mount - thinking to the future - I assume that "gets in the way" of installing a standard derailleur. Is there an easy way to at least for the short term - install a standard front derailleur that I have? If so, what is that solution / work-around? Other recommendations? Thanks!
I'm having a bike frame custom built and have the option from the builder for front derailleur mount of 1)none 2)standard direct mount 3)E2 Direct Mount 4)Shimano high direct mount
My main issue is selecting one of these (or none). I'd like to have a 2X Shimano GRX (or possibly Ultegra) drivetrain installed, but not sure due to availability or price at the moment that it will be the first build for this frame. I have another lightly used Shimano (tiagra) 2X drivetrain on another bike that I thought about taking off and using for now, but it is not a direct mount derailleur.
If I have the frame custom made with a Shimano high direct mount - thinking to the future - I assume that "gets in the way" of installing a standard derailleur. Is there an easy way to at least for the short term - install a standard front derailleur that I have? If so, what is that solution / work-around? Other recommendations? Thanks!
10-21-20, 08:39 AM
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I'm not aware of any road shifter compatible front derailleur that is available in direct mount of any form. They are all band clamp or braze-on mount. There was a company that made a High Direct Mount to Braze-on adapter for a short time, but they are no longer available.
If those are your options, I would choose to have no mount and use a band clamp front derailleur. Make sure the builder provides a cable stop for the front derailleur cable.
If those are your options, I would choose to have no mount and use a band clamp front derailleur. Make sure the builder provides a cable stop for the front derailleur cable.
10-21-20, 11:38 AM
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I thought that at least SRAM mtb FD are road compatible.
10-21-20, 01:31 PM
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For future options down the road. You should always be able to buy a clamp on version of a FD.
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10-21-20, 02:03 PM
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I would love to know the answer to this, as front derailleur cable pull seems to be a well kept industry secret. If I ever get my hands on a SRAM MTB front derailleur, I'll test it myself.
Even if the pull is the same, there might be issues with chainring size when using road chainrings.
Even if the pull is the same, there might be issues with chainring size when using road chainrings.
10-21-20, 02:15 PM
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custom titanium and tiagra.......heresy 
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10-21-20, 02:19 PM
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I know I know...at least I fessed up to it. Maybe I'll find what I want if I keep looking, but seems like most places are saying GRX stuff right now is about as easy to find as a new fitness bike.
Last edited by RedRambler; 10-21-20 at 02:20 PM. Reason: left a word out
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10-21-20, 04:19 PM
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Except for cx70 or GRX, which are for smaller chainrings.
10-21-20, 10:03 PM
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One way to avoid this mess (MtB and Road mixing) is to have the builder do the part sourcing and the initial build up. Then it's on her/him to get it right. Andy
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