edwardsmarkf

bought that one you recommended and installed it.... 😁 i pretty much "destroyed" the old front derailer rather than break the chain again, even though i have the tool. i should ask why Shimano designs derailers like that, but save that one for another post.

for the record, i still like my idea (yes i am stubborn) i might send the old parts to a machine-shop guy and let him come up with a cable stop that is "offset" for Shimano.

and next up, to remove a pedal and take it into an REI store, see about clip-in shoes/pedals, and hopefully without having to redo the pedal threads.

EDIT: bought the one that SurferRosa found, not necessarily recommending that specific one. but it does seem to work. still, it seems a bit odd that the only derailleurs that work are used and i cannot somehow get a new Shimano to work for me. it will be interesting to see if the machine shop guy has any ideas.