Bicycle Mechanics - Ultegra 9 or 10 speed Triple front Derailleur Question?

I have a cross bike with Ultegra 9 speed triple.. I just realized that my front derailleur is standard derailleur and not a triple specific.. I am going to be ordering some smaller chainrings which will mean that the derailleur is not low enough to accomodate.

Should I get the Ultegra 9 speed or get the 10 speed front derailleur.. There is not that much difference in price. Are there any advantages to getting a 10 speed front der. I think I remember Sheldon Brown saying that the 10 speed works better if you anything other than the stock 52/42/30 combination..

Any input is greatly appreciated..

I assume you're concerned about the chain rubbing on the cage bottom.

I put a 26-T on my wife's Orbea; all Ultegra 9-speed, and the FD has plenty of clearance.

How small a ring are you looking to use?

I'd judge based on difference in price. Although the 10-speed version may be a bit "better" (a concept that's not all that meaningful in FDs), chances are that you'll be able to find the 9-speed version somewhat cheaper. (eBay)

I want to run at least a 26 chainring on the bottom.. I would prefer to adjust my rings from the stock 52/42/30 to 52/39/26 so there are equal 13t jumps.. I was thinking that the 10 speed may be a little narrower than the 9 speed and may not be suited but was told that the 10 speed works better with a 52/39 combo.. anyone have insight on this?

I'll try this again. I built my wife's Orbea with

an Ultegra triple crank with 52-39-26 rings,

running a long-cage Ultegra 9-speed RD

an Ultegra 11-30 cluster (I removed one of the middle cogs and subbed a 30T from a 12-30 8-speed)

and an HG-90 chain.


Works great.

I have DA Barcon shifters with Ultegra FD and XT Rear Derailleur... I currently have an 11-32 XT Rear Cassette.. It is a 9 speed setup.. I have read that mixing the chainrings would require 10 speed FD..

I have DA Barcon shifters with Ultegra FD and XT Rear Derailleur... I currently have an 11-32 XT Rear Cassette.. It is a 9 speed setup.. I have read that mixing the chainrings would require 10 speed FD..

Nope; I mixed the chainrings real good and am using a 9-speed FD.

I know people say not to mix rings but did not understand why that is the case..

My wife's Ultegra triple has TA Alize chainrings, 49-39-28. Both derailleurs are the original Ultegra 9-speed. Shifts fine now but required some serious tweaking.

The Ultegra 9-speed triple front derailleur is designed for 52-42-30 chainrings, a ten tooth difference, large to middle.

The Ultegra 10-speed triple front derailleur is designed for 52-39-30 chainrings, a 13 tooth difference, large to middle.

From what I've read in the forums it seems that the 9-speed Shimano triple front derailleurs (other than D-A) work well with the 10-speed triple cranks. But the 10-speed Shimano tirple front derailleurs do not work well with 9-speed cranksets. I don't know if the problem is due to the difference in chainring sizes or the difference in chain widths.

If it was my bike I'd look for a 9-speed Shimano 105 or Ultegra triple front derailleur.

Al

I found a great deal on Ultegra Triple FD.. I am going to try and use 52/39/26 rings, 13t jumps and will see how that works.. If it does not work out, I may try 50/40/26..

I run a 52/42/26 with a Chorus Triple FD. It works fine. The main problem I had were occasional chain drops when shifting to the 26. Between 42 and 26 the chain was essentially high diving and hoping it would hit the 26 square on. I installed an N-Gear Jump Stop and eliminated the problem.

I know people say not to mix rings but did not understand why that is the case..

Supposedly the shifting ramps and pins are engineered to work together, but like most things in the bicycle world it just ain't that critical.

I've made more stuff work that I was told wouldn't work by doing one simple thing... trying it!