slr weirdness

tompsk73
tompsk73 Posts: 112
edited July 2009 in MTB workshop & tech
do slr levers, (those weird shimano dual control levers you see on road bikes) work with mountain bike triple chainsets? Im just asking coz mine doesnt seem to, the nine speed rear is great, but the triple front is proving difficult
making it all up as i go along

Comments

  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    The mech may be the problem.
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    You need the mech to match the chainset. I had an RTB* and had matching shifters and mech but different chainset and the shifting was crap, put a deore multifit front mech on and the shifting was sorted out in an instant.


    * Basically a mountain bike with drop bars and associated finishing kit. Avon Valley Cyclery conjoured a few together that the boys in the Bath based mag reviewed that gave me inspiration.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • tompsk73
    tompsk73 Posts: 112
    You may be right, its almost as if during refitting of the slr comands the old deore front mech died a death! I cant seem to get it to pull out far enough to reach the big chain ring. The slr lever only seems to have a range of two chainrings, even though its a triple click lever; but to be honest I can barely move the chain at all, its stuck on the middle cog, there seems to be a very small range. Do road chainrings have a hugely tighter spacing? Or do I need a road triple front mech to 'actuate' with the road lever better? Or both?
    cheers
    making it all up as i go along
  • tompsk73
    tompsk73 Posts: 112
    hey redvee, I dont understand. I have deore front mech, shimano m4something or other triple front and these shimano slr triple commands, but no good. Do you have any links or more info on what the chaps at avon cyclery did to get it all running properly? Thanks for your help! And hello to bristol, Im an old bristolian too!
    making it all up as i go along
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    I am pretty sure the cable pull is different and that you will need a roadie front mech.
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    My set-up was Sora 3x8 STIs, Deore front mech and M440 chainset.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • tompsk73
    tompsk73 Posts: 112
    mine is exactly the same as you redvee, but with sora 3 and 9. M440 chainset, deore front mech; and no movement from the front mech enough to change gear. Maybe I did just knacker the old deore front mech somehow.
    Are you sure I dont need a road mech and chainset? I hope not, but something is very wrong.
    making it all up as i go along
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    tompsk73
    buy a road triple front mech.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • tompsk73
    tompsk73 Posts: 112
    Thats the answer isnt it Nick. The cam mechanism must be different to convert the road lever cable pull. Cheers
    making it all up as i go along
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    you may be able to play with which side of the bolt you attach the wire but most people say it does not work

    But i am running a Sram rival front mech with a X9 MTB trigger shifter. But i am only rinning two cogs so setting up is fairly easy.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • tompsk73
    tompsk73 Posts: 112
    can you get road triple front derailleurs that pull with the wire coming down from the top? I think theyre called top pull. Coz thats what I'd need. Hmmmmm........
    making it all up as i go along
  • tompsk73
    tompsk73 Posts: 112
    I have an update! It now works! With a good hour of fine tuning, and a new day without 40 degree heat I have managed to get the old deore front mech to shift over all three chain rings using the slr lever. Its a bit of a 'pull' at the top end, but it certainly works. Its amazing what a clear head and determination will do.
    Thanks everyone for your help anyway.
    T
    making it all up as i go along