Mountain Biking - I cant believe it!

I have a Shimano Acera for my Front Derailleur. I thought it was a good one but apparantley not! I went to JensonUsa.com and you can buy the damn thing for 2 bucks! 2 bucks! My lunch at burger king costs more than that!

Anyway, Id really like to get a new front der. I could settle for the Shimano Deore XT. What should I take into consideration? Meaning, other bike components. Is replacing the front der easy?

I wouldn't put a price tag on "good"

if it works (and it sounds like it does if you thought it was good) then use it until it doesn't and replace it then.

Well, my chain keeps popping off. It also rubs the chain when I shift into gears. I just feel like I have a cheap component. If anything, it would give me better confidence in my bike.

xt is all you'll ever need.

So, what do I need to know before I buy it. I know I need a 31.8mm bottom pull der. but I dont know if it is top/bottom swing.

Also, whats the difference (or explaination of) the cassette, chainring and the drivetrain?

You could probably do with the Acera. It sounds as though your problems are due more to improper derailleur adjustment than a faulty derailleur.

If you are set on getting a front derailleur, you might consider an LX or Deore. A front derailleur sees the least use of the two derailleurs and isn't subjected to the dangers of the trail as much as the rear derailleur because of its position on the bike. Therefore, a front derailleur should last you a while and a bigger pricetag doesn't necessarily mean it is "better." An XT level derailleur will certainly be all you need. You could save some cash and go with the Deore or LX if you wanted. I don't believe the "swing" matters as much as having the correct size clamp and direction of pull. I could be wrong on this. Research at www.sheldonbrown.com or here on the forums and you should find the answers. Front derailleurs aren't the easiest things in the world to install. Unless you have some prior knowledge of working with cables/derailleur systems, be prepared to spend a while trying t get everything right. It WILL take you a while the first time if you haven't done it before because all of the initial adjustments have to be made. Things like the height of the derailleur on the seatube have to be decided before adjustments can even be made.

A cassette is the name for the set of cogs that attach to the rear wheel over the ?freewheel? by sliding into grooves. Usually, most of the cogs are connected to one another, with a few being seperated when the cassette is removed from the bike. This entire cluster of cogs is referred to as the cassette.

A chainring is the ring located at the front of the drivetrain. The crankarms hold the chainrings to the bike. A bike has one, two, or three chainrings. Chainrings are "sized" by the numder of teeth present. A small ring may be a 22, a middle a 34 and a large a 44. Front derailleurs will list a max tooth capacity, like 44.

The drivetrain is a term used to refer to the entire "drivetrain" system of the bike, or the system of components that make the bike "go."

Again, you can visit SheldonBrown.com to see a glossary of cycling terms.


-Moab

I had the chain popping off problem with my hardrock too Troie. Took it to the bike shop and they tightened the tension screw on the rear derailleur and no more problems. If your chain is rubbing on the front derailleur, you may be cross tracking. running the chain too far from left to right. Use a different gear selection to avoid the rubbing. It may be as simple as making a small adjustment to the front derailleur to get it set right. Your bike is new enough that they shouldnt even charge you to make the adjustment. takes a matter of seconds. had to have it done on my stumpy, so dont think you got a cheap derailleur. Its probably something simple. annoying, yes, but simple to fix. good luck

Ok, thx for the replies guys. I really appreciate it.

I keep thinking about it and I really want to get it. I have the 20 some bucks to spare. Wouldnt it be worth it?

save the 20 bucks and get something more major down the line... other things might need replacement and they can be more expensive than just a front der. i actually got an LX front der. in the size you need, i've never used it- went singlespeed. if you're just dying to upgrade i can ship it to you for $10. =] pm me if interested.

Actually I have an extra 80 to spare. What do you suggest I get?

I say go for tFUnk's offer.

-Moab

What kinda brakes do you have?

What shifters do you have?

What tires do you have?

What "everything" do you have?

What kinda riding do you do?

L8R

Brakes- Tektro Linear Pull (Shimano Altus Lever)

Shift Lever- Shimano Altus

Tires- Enduro Sport 26"x2.0"

Current Front/Rear Derailleur- Shimano Acera

Cassette- Shimano HG-50 8 speed

Chainrings- 42Cro-Mox32Cro-Mox22S

Riding- Basic desert trails. Its pretty dry out here in vegas. Mostly gravel, rock and sand. Wont be doing any hucking or jumping or major downhill.

Anything else?

Of all the things listed, the most dramatic change for your budget is to upgrade the shifters and use both of your existing derailleurs. I've always thought it funny that everyone upgrades their derailleurs first. IMO, the shifters are what are important. You can find some XT shifters for about your budget.

L8R

XT-8 Speed Shifters (http://pricepoint.com/product1322.html)

I'd spend the money and buy these.

They're 8-speed and will improve your shifting significantly!

L8R

Say troie, after you get your bike set up go here.

http://homepage.mac.com/cyberhazard/images/bctmap.jpg

a2, just a question... Would I run into a problem if I bought shifters that are compatible for 9 speed?

Reference this page:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.asp?number=35053

Boulder is actually a really nice town. Never really been inside of it, just passed it on way to Lake Mead. Thanks man, Ill check it out.

Originally posted by a2psyklnut
I've always thought it funny that everyone upgrades their derailleurs first.

I think people generally upgrade their derailleur (at least the rear) first because it's the first thing to fail after they've bashed it against the rocks enough times. :D

Haha this is a twist. I am still running deore because the thing has gone through hell and back with no misshifting. I changed my shifters first and then cables. Deore rear deraileurs rock!

You cannot use a 9 speed shifter with an 8 speed drivetrain. Specific components, yes, but not the cassette. You would have to upgrade the cassette and the chain. The rear derailleur is the same, the 8sp front derailleur will work with 9sp, but just not as well. (I ran an 8sp front XT for years without problems, just slightly slower shifts).

The chain and cassette will need to be replaced only because the spacing of the cogs is closer and the 9sp chain is narrower.

Your rear wheel is fine, the freehub is compatible with 8 or 9!

There is always a debate about the chainrings. I've also run 8 speed chainrings (w 8sp front derailleur) with out problems with a 9 speed chain/cassette/shifters.

But, if you're a strong rider, and apply a lot of torque you're actually better with an 8 speed system. The only problem is getting parts in the future.

L8R

Originally posted by Maelstrom
Haha this is a twist. I am still running deore because the thing has gone through hell and back with no misshifting. I changed my shifters first and then cables. Deore rear deraileurs rock!

Wow! I would have thought you of all people would be on a non-OEM rear derailleur by now. ;)

Are you calling me a gear***** :D...

Nope still have some oem stuff...cranks, rear der, handlebars and seat...haha...As long as the rear der works I am leaving it there :)

Originally posted by Maelstrom
Are you calling me a gear***** :D...

Just figured you'd have trashed the RD by now due to your err... spirited riding. :D

haha...yeah me too...but this thing is a beast...I bounce it off of rocks all the time. I think I might buy a deore for my next one too :)

Well sh1t, that sux. The f/r ders that I were gonna get are 9spd compatible. Oh well, Ill look around somemore and see what I can find.

The rear derailleur is the same for 8 speed or 9 speed.

The front derailleur is a little thinner for 9 speed, but will work on a 8 speed system. You may get a bit more chain rub, but it'll work!

L8R