Mountain Biking - Front Deraileur

Hopefuly someone can explain this to me, I understand the top and bottom pull.. clamp size.. braze on etc.. That's easy :)

I don't understand the difference between top and bottom swing and when to use each one..

This might help :

TopSwing (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ta-o.html#toppull)

Slainte:beer:

Originally posted by Kev
and when to use each one..

I am searching for the same answer! When can you not use one or the other. I have posed this question on r.b.t also, but have not gotten anything concrete.

Copy from r.b.t;

> So how do we know which to use? Is there a method of measurement or design
> criteria that determines which to use?

Top-swing should fit all applications that work with a seat-tube clamp. If there's
clearance on the seat-tube above the large chainring for the clamp, then bottom-swing
should work as well. Bottom-swing has fit all of my bikes.

David

Resurrection

Is one better than the other? Or is it more of a will it fit/preference type of thing?

i too would like to know. i dont see any real clearance issues either..

The bottom swing is the old style high clamp front derailleur. Many full suspension bikes need this style due to the lack of a clamp area as low as the top swing (low clamp) style needs. As far as I know, there is no performance difference except the recent (but not '03) XTR which is a version which the inner and outer plates of the cage move independently. My Jekyll, for example, needs a bottom swing front derailleur.