Road front derailleur on MTB crankset
#2
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From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
I'm not going to look up the spe, but will tell you what to consider.
1st, the overall range of your crankset is 2 teeth greater than the stated capacity. There's usually some fudge room, so it's still possible that you can get it low enough for the chain to clear the bottom back of the cage when on the 22t. However it's super close.
2nd, unless the sora is made for compact drive cranks, the curve of the cage won't match the chainrings properly. That puts the cage farther back then ideal, especially on the smaller rings. This worsens shift response, and can crate trim problems when the chain comes from angles.
That's the info, now you have to make your own assessment.
1st, the overall range of your crankset is 2 teeth greater than the stated capacity. There's usually some fudge room, so it's still possible that you can get it low enough for the chain to clear the bottom back of the cage when on the 22t. However it's super close.
2nd, unless the sora is made for compact drive cranks, the curve of the cage won't match the chainrings properly. That puts the cage farther back then ideal, especially on the smaller rings. This worsens shift response, and can crate trim problems when the chain comes from angles.
That's the info, now you have to make your own assessment.
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FB
Chain-L site
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FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#3
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From: Rochester, NY
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Shimano's ft ders have very specifically shaped cages which help guide, lift or clear the chain. These tend to be best matched with the chainring teeth counts especially if you're using an indexed lever. But the proof is in the pudding and I've seen some non spec combos work well enough for their owners to be happy. At one time I thought there was a difference between Shimano's road and MtB cranks WRT the rings' c-c distancing. There most certainly is a difference between road and MtB shifters and their respective ft ders WRT cable pull ratios. This is why some touring bikes use bar end levers (with the friction ft) when using MtB ders and cranks. Andy.
#4
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From: Mid Willamette Valley, Orygun
Bikes: 87 RockHopper,2008 Specialized Globe. Both upgraded to 9 speeds. 2019 Giant Explore E+3
I'll give an apple to bananas comparison using an Altus FDER.
I swapped my 28-38-48 to a 22-32-44.
It worked OK, but shifts were probably a bit less "pristine".
You "might" find that playing with the gap between the large ring & cage "might" make a difference.
I swapped my 28-38-48 to a 22-32-44.
It worked OK, but shifts were probably a bit less "pristine".
You "might" find that playing with the gap between the large ring & cage "might" make a difference.
#5
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From: Denver, CO
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I'll provide a different perspective. Yes, it will work and shifting won't suffer. I've been using a Tiagra road derailer since around 2004 shifting a 46/36/20 crank on my touring bike. I'm also using STI shifter which is more demanding than bar end shifter in the setup. I've never had a shifting problem. Front shifts, up and down, are crisp and clean.
Matching the curve of the derailer to the curve of the chainring is a red herring, in my opinion. I've used the same model of derailer to shift 52 tooth, 50 tooth, 48 tooth and 46 tooth chainrings. There is no performance difference between any of them.
Matching the curve of the derailer to the curve of the chainring is a red herring, in my opinion. I've used the same model of derailer to shift 52 tooth, 50 tooth, 48 tooth and 46 tooth chainrings. There is no performance difference between any of them.
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Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#6
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
The exception would be using an MTB front derailleur with the cage curvature designed for a 42T or 44T big chainring on a 52 or 53T road crank. The fd would have to be positioned so high that shifting would certainly suffer.
#7
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
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Can I use Sora FD-3503 on MTB crankset 44-32-22?
Note the difference the diameter makes between 53 t and 44t.
say you use 53 x .5 : is 26,5" around, 44 x.5 = 22"
so what is the diameters?
https://math.about.com/library/blcirclecalculator.htm
the arc of a Road FD is made to be closely following the larger diameter
a compact MTB to match the smaller arc ..
Last edited by fietsbob; 01-26-14 at 01:07 PM.
#8
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From: Spokane, WA
Bikes: Specialized Sequoia Elite/Motobecane Fantom Cross Team Ti/'85 Trek 520
When I used a road front derailleur on a mountain crank, I discovered that it helped if I raised the derailleur higher than I would normally. Instead of a 1mm clearance for the cage to tooth, I did 5 or more mm distance. Allowed the inner cage to work better with the middle chainring.
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