Originally Posted by
mstateglfr
A 5800 FD, 5801 FD, R7000 FD, 6800 FD, 6801 FD, R8000 FD, 9000 FD, 9001 FD, and 9100 FD all pull the same. That is 9 front derailleurs to look for and choose from if your 6800 breaks. Some are older generations and some are current generations, but there are tons of new and used around, even in this supply chain shortage.
Companies should not be expected to support their products forever. At the same time, if a company only provides support for 2 years and offers no replacement components after a new model is introduced, that is worth complaining about.
I just sold a cx70 fd yesterday on ebay, I have a barely used 5800 RD up for sale, and also have a barely used 6800 RD up for sale. Buying used is a reasonable approach to maintaining a current system instead of buying everything new.
...maybe I should pull those ebay listings down and hoard it all. I love my 11sp mechanical shifting and have 0 interest in going electronic.
Sorry, my post wasn't clear.
It was sort of a follow up to my post #3 and I didn't repeat that the FD in question is Di2. It's actually 6870 and the second gen 11 speed Di2 isn't compatible. Pretty much same situation as OP is in with the SRAM. I'm with you on the mechanical. I only have a few cycling years left and I hope to be able to keep my 8000 stuff going until I'm done.
