Bicycle Mechanics - Best Front Derailleurs

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Panthers007
10-15-08, 04:31 PM
I am looking for a high-quality, price-be-no-concern, front derailleur for a hybrid Trek 7.5 FX. The cranks are: Shimano M443 Octalink 48/36/26. The post diameter is 34.9mm aluminum (of course). SRAM preferred, but what'cha gots?

The beast came with a Shimano Deore front - which was always rubbing no matter the adjustments I make (hi-lo, cable length...). I don't think it was designed for this configuration. It's a good bike, and deserves to operate at peak capacity. I was reading up on Deore's and found they were not designed for a tall chainring above a 44T. If so - they fell asleep at the Trek plant. :twitchy:

frankenmike
10-15-08, 05:17 PM
Three words. x. t. r.
z415
10-15-08, 05:45 PM
The more expensive ones will preform better, nothing else considered. If you prefer SRAM, go with the X-0.

P.S. not sure if there is a FD in the X-O line, so if not, then maybe the X-9. Though I must admit that per my pricing logic, the XTR would be better when compared to the X-9.

Rosso Corsa
10-15-08, 05:57 PM
+1 for XTR
-1 for Sram
My lbs mechanics say that Shimano holds all the best FD cage patents. I have seen many bikes (my own included) with full Sram (mine's X9) with a shimano FD (XT).
Panthers007
10-15-08, 06:42 PM
Thank you for the advice. I just did a crash homework-course and opted for the <gasp!> Shimano XTR. Found it, in 34.9mm, for $55.96 w/ free ship.

Time will tell. Anything to get rid of that god-awful rubbing. Hope it doesn't hate my SRAM shifters!:D
operator
10-15-08, 06:46 PM
Sram is shyte. Along with truvative and bontrager. You want a good derailleur, go with what's posted above. Anything XT or above is *mint*.
z415
10-15-08, 06:46 PM
Didn't SRAM FDs use to blow Shimano FDs out of the water a while back? Then Shimano stepped it up and made some good breakthroughs and SRAM started gobbling up companies left and right....

..at least that is my knowledge of it, which could be off.