Bicycle Mechanics - Triple front derailleur suggestions needed

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badger_biker
10-05-09, 08:06 AM
I'm trying to get my '84 Schwinn LeTour better equiped for loaded touring and replaced the 52/39 double crank with a 48-38-28 Shimano mountain crankset. I had to replace the BB spindle with a (yes this is correct) shorter one to get the chain rings closer and within range of the FD. It has a Suntour Mountech FD which I thought would handle it fine but I'm having problems getting it to drop to the granny gear.

I dropped the FD on the seat tube to get a closer clearance on the big ring but it has a long cage and just barely clears the chain stay when it moves in, so I'm as low as I can get. It is only about 3-4mm above the big ring so that should be in the ballpark. It has Suntour Symmetric DT shift levers.

Anyway I'm thinking I will possibly need a shorter cage, tighter arc mountain derailleur to get me the chainstay clearance. Any thoughts on a 1 1/8 clamp bottom pull FD that would work and have a wide throw? This will be somewhat of a utility tourer so I don't want to get anything pricey - just something dependable.

I have a Bridgestone 400 with the stock AR FD and that works fine with a similar ringed crankset so this kind of threw me for a loop. Did the Mountech come in double and triple versions?
Thanks -

Barrettscv
10-05-09, 08:10 AM
IRD: http://www.interlocracing.com/cdfrtder.html

Alpina Front Derailleur
Same performance level as the CD, but designed for triples. Will work with standard road triple cranks, but it is optimized for smaller rings such as 48-36-24t or 50-36-30t.

• Braze-on style, but this includes an adapter clamp for 28.6, 31.8 or 34.9mm.
• Two models:
Alpina-d is designed to work better with Shimano's drop bar/STI shifters.
Alpina-f is designed to work better with Shimano's flat bar road shifters.
badger_biker
10-05-09, 11:56 AM
IRD: http://www.interlocracing.com/cdfrtder.html

Alpina Front Derailleur

Looks good but a bit more $ than I'd like to invest in the bike. I should have noted I'm more interested in an older model that I could perhaps find used. I'll keep this in mind though.

Wanderer
10-05-09, 12:32 PM
How about a Deore, or Deore XT?
Barrettscv
10-05-09, 01:06 PM
Looks good but a bit more $ than I'd like to invest in the bike. I should have noted I'm more interested in an older model that I could perhaps find used. I'll keep this in mind though.

I use a Shimano 105, "5503" on my 50/39/30 matching 105 triple crankset. It shifts perfectly. It might also work well on a Shimano mountain triple.

Michael
norwood
10-05-09, 03:07 PM
How about a Deore, or Deore XT?

+1
I've found several on ebay for my project bikes and work great. They can often be found in 1 1/8" clamp size and are usually inexpensive.
mpa61
10-05-09, 06:31 PM
I am using a RSX FD with a matching triple crankset (50-40-30) without any problems. They show up on fleeBay pretty regularly. I have a spare one here, but postage from AU would be more than the derailleur is worth. You may need to change your RD to a long cage as well.
davidad
10-05-09, 07:25 PM
http://www.bikeparts.com/search_results.asp?ID=BPC332241
Panthers007
10-05-09, 07:49 PM
I use the Shimano XTR FD-M953 Front Derailleur - on my Ultegra triple crankset. Works beautifully. Although it isn't supposed to.