Mountain Biking - replacing front Deore derailleur with unusual clamp?

as a result of an accident, I have broken my girlfriends front derailleur cage on her very precious Specialized.
I thought it would be a simple matter of swapping the front Deore derailleur.
Surprise. I've never seen a derailleur mount like this before. Instead of being clamp on or a bolt on flange, it seems to affix to a post and a bracket that goes around the bottom bracket.

Can anyone advise me as to:
a) what kind of mount or derailleur is this?
b) is there anyway to just replace the cage?
c) what would I search for if I were to look for a replacement?
(and d) why in goodness name did any manufacturer allow something so non-standard on their bike?)


thanks

Peter

You don't just replace a front derailleur cage. You replace the whole dang derailleur. No matter what type. I don't know where you could just buy a cage.



What you've got there is called an "E-Type" front derailleur mount.

You remove the BB from the drive side, slide the derailleur off, and replace.
https://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/catalog/medium/FDM970E6.jpg

need to see pix of the whole bike...

that is some interesting paint she has going on there...

When Julie bought this bike, some years back, she thought the original red black and white paintjob looked like a Coors Light beer can. and that was not a good thing.
so, being the frustrated artist she is, she broke out the paints.

http://picasaweb.google.com/TOcycles/Lowki#

Peter

thanx for the pix!

doesn't look like a stinky beer can any more!

I like! good job!

Just a FYI after you get the ORG one off, you should be able to install a regular clamp on model. You just need to find one that will fit the seat tube, or get one that comes with spacers. I had one of those on my Old Fisher Wahoo, ended up upgrading to a clamp-on, I was told I probably shes a 1/4 lb by ding so.

Now after seeing more pics of the rig. I am no bike tech, but you may have to go back with the same type. A clamp on may not work with that frame. But again I could be wrong.

looks like you wouldn't have to take BB apart...
that 'bracket' looks like a 2 piece... might have to buy the whole thing... but looks like (in pic #1) that you can unbolt the bracket from the top part (derailleur) and slip it right back on...

this appears to be correct, as I have just unbolted the main derailleur body from the bracket. once I find a replacement, I expect the spacing should be standard enough that I can bolt it back on without having to remove the crank arm etc. etc.

Peter

35$ for an XT on a slightly older model (http://wheelworld.com/product/shimano-deore-xt-front-derailleur-e-type-15007-1.htm). Going on an older bike there's no need for the latest and greatest.

Edit: Whoops. Sorry didnt' read close enough but it's out of stock. Regardless, just google e bracket front derailleur and you should get lots of results. FDs are relatively cheap and with little performance difference so you should just look for a deal.