elmore leonard

Anyone know what I might buy at the LBS as a replacement front deraileur, bottom pull, for a old 10 speed road bike with 2 chain rings and shifters mounted on the stem. The bike is a Vulcan Lemans and the front deraleur was missing when I purchased it last week.

cny-bikeman

Why don't you just go into the shop and ask them for what you want, the same as what you did here? I would suggest taking in the bike, in case the cable/housing needs attention as well.

elmore leonard

If my question stresses you out please put me on ignore and I'll do the same to you.

jyl

Any front derailleur with the appropriate clamp size and that is bottom pull should work. Shimano Tourney FD TX50 is $12 online. It is an MTB derailleur meant for a triple, but it "should" work okay. But without seeing your bike, can't be "sure". Hence the option of going to the LBS.

SkyDog75

If it's "10 speed" as in five cogs on the rear wheel and two chainrings up front (5x2), then you've almost certainly got friction shifters, which means practically anything will work as long as the derailleur has a clamp that'll work with your frame's seat tube diameter. If you're buying new, you may want to go with an inexpensive 7-speed front derailleur. They're generally cheaper than 9/10/11 speed parts, plus they won't be extra narrow to work with modern 9/10/11 speed chains.

Andrew R Stewart 

Hopefully the Op's LBS isn't a place that gives the customer what the ask for without any thought about the correctness of the request. Some call customer service saying "yes" to what ever. The better shops are willing to offer their experience and help in deciding what is the best option.

This thread almost reminds me of this recent one https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-me...yself-lbs.html Not quite thankfully.

To the OP- Can you trust your LBS? Andy

cny-bikeman

The question was an honest one. There are very few shops that would not give you the correct item, many would add some help/advice about mounting, and in-person assistance is almost always better than sight unseen.

Of course I could have said "Almost anything will do as long as it is not designed for a 10+ speed cassette." But then we have the problem of different seat tube diameters, whether the derailleur uses housing or a guide at the BB, unknown condition of the cable/housing, etc. I'm sure it would have stressed out the OP had he had run down and picked up a derailleur, then found later that a 2nd trip was needed.

Slash5

Check your cable routing, an old "10" speed may need a housing stop on the front derailleur. Your local co-op might be a better choice or an urban bike shop that works on old bikes.

habilis

Co-op or "bike kitchen" is the best answer. They should have lots of old ten speed parts. You have a 3/32" chain. I have an old Huret FD from a 10-speed, and its inside width is 12mm, so look for something similar.

fietsbob

' speeds ' is a parts count on the back wheel .. the FD does not have Speeds it just shoves the chain off 1 chainring to another..

get the one that is the same year, brand and model as the shifters and the RD

10 has meant 5 by 2 back then no indexing .. really most anything can work .. dig around in basement, strip junk bikes..

now 10 cogs all on the back wheel chain lots thinner so FD cage is thinner..

leob1

Bike co-op, or a bike shop that buys and sells used bikes should be able to set you up with something from their parts bin. A bike shop that has been around a long time will be your next best bet. If you go to a new bike shop, they might be stumped, unless they got some old guys working there.

rmfnla

Any decent LBS will have cheapo generic FDs that will work here...

elmore leonard

I was able to pick up a old SunTour FD in like new condition at my LBS, with help from a very knowledgeable employee, for a large 52 tooth chain ring, with the exact fit for the seat post and with the cable stop from the underneath. Exactly what I needed. So thank to everyone for their assistance. I think I have it remedied now.