Originally Posted by
mrblue
Thanks for the input, everyone!
Now that I have my nomenclature correct,
how much cable length is desirable when installing a new derailleur cable (in terms of front derailleurs)? Retro Grouch mentioned pulling the cable taut then tightening the clamp. Is this leaving enough length to allow the derailleur to shift into the larger chainring?
Read the second paragraph of my earlier post (no4). The goal is to optimize shifting and trim on the larger chainring. You can get very close (often good enough to quit) by correctly trimming the cage for the inner ring with the limit, and pulling out all the slack, then clamping. However it's hard to pull out the slack completely so many experienced mechanics use a pencil to jam the FD in a partly shifted position than pull out the slack. (takes some eye and touch to get consistent results.
If you have a
4th hand cable pulling tool, you can use it to shift to high, set the trim via the tool, then clamp there.
The difficulty of precisely clamping the cable at the right length is why I suggest using some kind og barrel adjuster. This allows you to get it close and clamping, then precisely dialing in the ideal trim.