Front Derailers
#2
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 30,225
Likes: 649
From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
I think that you're asking "top swing" vs. "bottom swing".
Functionally, I think that they're exact trade offs.
Other than clamp size, cable pull direction and chainring size I can't think of any issues you might encounter on a recumbent. I can tell you that on a diamond frame bike flared tubes or water bottle mounts frequently limit which will work on a given frame.
Whichever you choose, front derailleur set up and adjustment is much more touchy than rear derailleurs.
Functionally, I think that they're exact trade offs.
Other than clamp size, cable pull direction and chainring size I can't think of any issues you might encounter on a recumbent. I can tell you that on a diamond frame bike flared tubes or water bottle mounts frequently limit which will work on a given frame.
Whichever you choose, front derailleur set up and adjustment is much more touchy than rear derailleurs.
#3
Bottom swing FD on my MTB:

Top swing FD on my Gold Rush:
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Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
Jeff Wills
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#4
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 30,225
Likes: 649
From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
"Low mount" (aka bottom swing) front derailleurs came about to fit on mountain bikes where the rear suspension needed room to move. They also work best on smaller chainrings since the difference in diameter is small. "High mount" aka top swing front derailleurs motion matches larger chainrings better since it swings upward as it swings outward.
#5
Fat Guy Rolling
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,434
Likes: 1
From: Louisville Kentucky
Bikes: Bacchetta Agio, 80s Raleigh Record single-speed, Surly Big Dummy
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