Plainsman

If anyone can help I would be very grateful. I've just finished (finally) putting together a road bike, 105 braze-on FD, 105 short cage 9-speed RD, 53/39 Ultegra Cranks. It seems that no matter what I do I can't get the front derailleur not to rub. I'm trying to set the limit when I'm in the 53 ring and on the smallest rear cog. I've tried adjusting the limit screw over and over. It seems that the chain insists on rubbing either on the inside or the outside of the derailleur. It's almost like the FD needs to rotate about the seat tube a bit, but it's a braze on so I guess I don't have that option. Suggestions?

twobikes

Does the cable have enough slack in it to allow the front derailleur to move out as far as the high limit screw setting allows? It is possible to relax the high limit screw setting and yet nothing moves because the cable travel is limited by the barrel adjuster setting. Also, some people do bend the outside front of the cage in a bit to make the FD shift better. As a last resort you could bend it out a little.

HillRider

If your frame has the braze-on mounting tab built in, the tab will allow limited height and rotational adjustment of the fd which should correct the problem. If you have a braze-on fd mounted on an adapter clamp, the clamp can be adjusted for both height and rotation over a wide range.

Plainsman

Maybe you can help we with this. I've tried to rotate the derailleur a bit, and at first it works. However, when I fully tighten the FD to the mounting tab (enough that it won't move during shifts) the pressure of the bolt head against the tab always forces the derailleur back into the same position. Where are slanted washers when you need them! Is there such a thing?