Road Cycling - Is a DA triple Frt. der. compatible with an Ultegra Triple crankset?

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PDA
Homebrew
09-14-02, 09:32 AM
Buenas dias amigos,

I was having trouble dialing in my drive train and one of the mechanics at my lbs said that the DA triple frt. der. wasn't 100% compatible with the Ultegra triple crank.

It seems as though the "rails" (the pieces that form the inside and outside of the main der.) on the DA frt. der. are a little to low and when I'm in the 52T ring the der. scrapes the 30T ring. We moved the der. up about 2mm and that seemed to help enhance the shifting. It's working well now but still a little noisey for my liking.

Do I just have to live with the extra noise since it is a triple?

Thanks again for you collective wisdom.

Cheers,

Sean

pokey
09-14-02, 09:49 AM
No actual experience. but have heard that it is not, and one case was from an actual user who tried it and had to switch to an ultegra for proper function.Shimano compatibility chart says it isn't either,FWIW. Properly setup triples do not have extra noise.The fact that you had to fudge the installation should be terlling you something.
Homebrew
09-14-02, 10:01 PM
Originally posted by pokey
Properly setup triples do not have extra noise.The fact that you had to fudge the installation should be terlling you something.

Good point. I'm going to swap out the DA as soon as I can get an Ultegra part.

Homebrew
09-25-02, 02:52 PM
All,

After some testing and research I have found that the DA front derailleur isn't 100% compatible with the Ultegra triple crankset.

The reason is that the DA front der. is made to be used with a 14 tooth difference between the outer chain ring and the middle.

The Ultegra front der. is built for a 10 tooth difference.

I found that you can just raise the height of the front der. but this isn't the best solution as there is still some rubbing of the chain and the inhierent noise.

To solve the problem I bought a Specialties TA 38 tooth middle chainring and swapped out the 42 tooth Ultegra ring. I did it all by myself with just and a 6mm allen wrench and was very happy that pulled it off by myself. :D :D The new 38 tooth ring is lighter and shinier. And it shifts just as smoothly as the Shimano ring.

No I have a nice set of gears to ride fast with the club during the week and cruise in the hills and country during the weekend.

I love it when a plan comes together.

Cheers,

Sean