steppinthrax

I have a Trek 7200. My front Derailleur is a Shimano C101. It's rusted and is difficult to move. I'm looking for something that is good but not too expensive. I also want one that I can remove w/o removing the chain. I'm not against replacing the rear as well (if a kit is available).

The front is a 3 speed while the rear is an 8.

I'm a commuter. I ride primarily in DC to and from work. The bike remains outside exposed to the elements. In the rain and sometimes snow.

Thanks

Andrew R Stewart 

You are seeing the cost of the type of your use. Corroded tight front ders are fairly common with winter and salt bikes. I doubt you'll find a der which won't do the same again in time, regardless of the der's cost. Also the cage's closure isn't a big feature so is done the way that makes sense for Shimano's factory and not the rider. (And using a chain with a connector link is just so easy...)


For the future consider fenders to reduce the spray from the rear tire, more frequent rinses/washings/lubings and understand that your use is about the harshest that a bike sees and even with best care the stuff will rust/wear in a few years far more then a recreational bike will over many decades. Andy

steppinthrax

Ok Thanks

So this bike was rescued from someone who left it outside for dead. I have it mostly put together and working. If we subtract weather from the equation what's a good make/type.

steppinthrax

In my searches the Shimano Claris seems to be the "best" all around for someone who want's something good but not too expensive etc..

Bill Kapaun

You don't want a "road" FDER because the cable pull is different.
Get a "mountain" FDER. Altus will be totally adequate.
Get one designed for the size of your rings. Either 28-38-48ish or 22-32-42ish.

steppinthrax

Hmmm.

I don't understand much of what you said. When you mean "cable pull" are you referring to how much cable the shifters pull between each shift? I should mention that I did replace my shifters already, but havent ran the cables yet. I replaced them with these.

https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-ST-EF...himano+st-ef51

It's a 3 speed front 8 speed back....

fietsbob

Ask at any bike shops yet? reads like you just need a similar new Shimano FD without any other changes or 'upgrades' ..

Bill Kapaun

Yes about the cable pull.
My recommendation stands. Even the original Tourney level will shift fine.
I've used the same shifters.

steppinthrax

Okay,

So how does one know if a given set of shifters and derailleur are compatible. I was strictly going by the number on the shifters v.s. the number on my current derailleur. Is there a number or chart? If you simply stick to a given brand (i.e. shimano and shimano) you should be fine? Also could you just adjust the cable pull in the shifter/derailleur?

Also The Trek Multitrak 7500 is a hybrid bike...

fietsbob

Go with a thumb friction shifter.. that is how you adjust the cable pull ..

Otherwise, It's measurements, ratios, leverage and math..

Iride01 

You can go to the manufacturer's website and find compatibility. You need to know the complete part number for what you have and what you are purchasing. Note that in the case of the shifters ST-EF51 is not the complete number. There are 9, 8, 7 speed versions of the product that came out in different years.

Someone else made the analogy that it is sort of like a car. The name stays the same, but the car is not the same from one year to the next.


2017-2018 SHIMANO Product Information Web

Manuals & Tech doc

If they don't have info on the website, then call them. You can also ask here when you have specifics. But you need to give as much info about what you have, what you want. Year of bike, model, etc.

If you are going to ride this off road in bumpy conditions, you probably don't want a friction shifter. But it does simplify some worries of cable pull, but might add others. It's also old tech.