Thanks for the quick replies.

Road Fan, in order:

1. I have a triple, Shimanno FC-M311 48-38-28. The FD is also an M311 so there should be no compatibility issue there.
2. I measured from the middle chainring to the middle of the seat post
3. No, just with reasonable force but I don't think this is the problem as the FD seems to still need quite a bit of distance in order to shift the chain and clear it. At present the front plate reaches as far as the big ring.
4. No warps that I can see.
5. I'll need to check that, can I tell without removing the crankset?

Homebrew, I've taken the limit stops out entirely to check how far it would swing.

I bought the FD second hand, it could be knackered?

Or maybe the BB spindle has unusual tapering, it was a generic one they fitted, the techdocs stated a UN26.


FBinNY, where do I take that measurement from?


Bill, I didn't watch them do it but I can only assume they fit a 123 as I requested.


Couple more things: I changed my FD which did shift into the big ring using the old BB (just about) and replaced it with the FD-M311 which I got second hand so is there a possibility it's broken? I think I threw the old one out as well which I realise doesn't help matters. Oops.

Thanks again for all your help