robertmccormack

Does anyone out there know the tooth capacity of a Shimano Deore XT FD-M735 Triple front derailleur (7-8 speed, from the mid 90's I think)? I have a chance to buy a pretty expensive one and I want to get this right before forking over the big bucks.

Bill Kapaun

Do you mean chain ring size?

kramnnim

48/38/28?

robertmccormack

Hi, Bill,
Actually I meant a figure like 22 teeth. Also, does anyone out there know if this would fit a road triple 50/40/28.

robertmccormack

Hi,

Thanks. Do you happen to know if this would fit a road triple 50/40/28?

Bill Kapaun

Go to this link, and you can see which cranks were used with that DER.
https://www.fa-technik.adfc.de/Herste...o/Gruppen.html

FC-M730-A is one and it was a 24-36-46.

It would probably "work" OK, but not as well as an FD designed for the larger size"road" rings. (theoretically at least)
The radius will be a little more "acute".
This is being a bit "fussy".
EDIT- It does have the same "increments" between rings, which would be "points for".

robertmccormack

Dear Bill,

Thanks for the info. Do you happen to know what derailleur Shimano made at around that time that was actually designed for road triples like 50-40-28? I have an 8-speed cassette-- is that crucial, or could I also go for a nine speed front derailleur?

ericthered

As i understand it, 9 and 10 speed frnt der have a narrower cage that may not work as well with a wider 7/8 speed chain. None retro something like this might work:
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...t%20Derailleur

To go to 9 speed cass. would require new shifters and alot more work.
Eric

kramnnim

You should be fine with a 9sp road FD...

The XT you originally mentioned would probably work, might not shift quite as well...

Bill Kapaun

https://www.fa-technik.adfc.de/Herste...o/Gruppen.html

robertmccormack

Thanks!