Front derailleur cage wear with half-step gearing
04-02-22, 09:03 PM
#1
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Front derailleur cage wear with half-step gearing
How do people normally tackle the front derailleur cage wear as a result of frequent use associated with half-step gearing? Nobody seems to mention it on the forums.
04-02-22, 09:57 PM
#2
curmudgineer
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Well, all my bikes have half-step gearing, but the majority of my shifts are full step. The half-step normally only comes into play when I get into the upper cruising range (above ~90"). Other than that, if I have a long cruise in the mid-range, and I need a half step to optimize my cadence, I use it... but most of the time, the cruise distance (before direction, meaning wind change, or slope change) is not long enough to warrant a half-step shift. To be sure, my full steps are in the 12-15% range, half steps half of that obviously.
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04-02-22, 11:33 PM
#3
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What kind of wear are you seeing that it is a concern?
Finesse it. It is not a power shift.
Finesse it. It is not a power shift.
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04-03-22, 07:24 AM
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I've been using half-step gearing for decades and never had a problem with front derailleur wear. Are you perhaps using indexed shifting where you can't properly trim the front derailleur to stop chain rub?
04-03-22, 08:52 AM
#5
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04-03-22, 08:57 AM
#6
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Well, all my bikes have half-step gearing, but the majority of my shifts are full step. The half-step normally only comes into play when I get into the upper cruising range (above ~90"). Other than that, if I have a long cruise in the mid-range, and I need a half step to optimize my cadence, I use it... but most of the time, the cruise distance (before direction, meaning wind change, or slope change) is not long enough to warrant a half-step shift. To be sure, my full steps are in the 12-15% range, half steps half of that obviously.
04-03-22, 12:00 PM
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04-03-22, 12:17 PM
#9
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Almost certainly, the OP is shifting "hard", that is, fast. The faster you shift, the more force imparted. The more force, the more wear.
Even with an indexed shifter, finesse the shift, be gentle. Shifting is not a speed or strength contest, especially up front, especially an up-shift.
Ok, I'll shut up now.
Even with an indexed shifter, finesse the shift, be gentle. Shifting is not a speed or strength contest, especially up front, especially an up-shift.
Ok, I'll shut up now.
Last edited by Bad Lag; 04-03-22 at 02:06 PM.
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04-04-22, 11:27 AM
#10
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Almost certainly, the OP is shifting "hard", that is, fast. The faster you shift, the more force imparted. The more force, the more wear.
Even with an indexed shifter, finesse the shift, be gentle. Shifting is not a speed or strength contest, especially up front, especially an up-shift.
Ok, I'll shut up now.
Even with an indexed shifter, finesse the shift, be gentle. Shifting is not a speed or strength contest, especially up front, especially an up-shift.
Ok, I'll shut up now.
04-05-22, 12:22 PM
#11
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I have never thought of a front derailleur cage as a consumable part. Unless yours is made from a soft alloy, I wouldn't worry about it. 
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04-05-22, 02:32 PM
#12
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I can't seem to find that picture of the completely worn through cage... like let the chain grind on the derailleur until it wore completely through....
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04-05-22, 02:37 PM
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04-05-22, 04:27 PM
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I had a Valentino cage wear through completely on the outer plate, on a 2x7-speed rig. It was on a trip, borrowed a blowlamp and a bit of brass wire and brazed a dime on the outside to fix it, was good for several more tours.
