engineerbob

Yesterday, the return spring on my Burley's front derailer broke. It is a Shimano FD-6503. Although they are no longer in production, it seems that they can be found. While poking around on the net, I got the impression that the 6503 was not the best choice for my 45-38-28 chainrings. Would an MTB FD work better? Other recommendations?

Thanks.

Bob

Philly Tandem

First, what kind of shifters does your Burley have? If you have STI shifters, you can't use a MTB FD. Different cable pulls. If you have bar-cons, then you have more flexibility. The other challenge is matching the FD to the tooth spread on your chainrings. The 45-38 is a non-standard tooth difference, and likely any newer FD will not really be perfect for that difference, unless you are using a bar-con or similar shifter in friction mode.

engineerbob

The bike came with STI shifters, a solution that I've never really liked. A few days ago, I replaced the front derailer's shifter with a bar-end. I had forgotten how much I like friction shifters. Trimming is a piece of cake. Now I need to do the same conversion for the other side.

Regarding my 45-38-28, I should change the 45 to a 50.

Thanks.

Bob

nfmisso

Hi Bob;

Only you can answer that question. Are you and your partner spinning out in top gear? If yes, changing the 45 to a larger ring makes sense. If not - don't change.

45-38-28 is pretty close; what do you have at the rear?

We are running 54-44-26 at the front and a 9 speed 11-34 at the rear on our T50.

engineerbob

We, too, have a 9-speed 11-34. Today, on a long down-hill, we could have used a larger chain-ring.

Bob

engineerbob

I replaced the broken FD with a Shimano 5703. It didn't play well with the brifters. The thing is, I never liked them, particularly for the FD, so I switched to indexed bar-ends. My wife and I just got back from a test ride. The operation was a success.

Maybe my brifters were worn. In any case, the shifting with the new bar-ends is much better. It just feels more connected.

Bob