SRAM front derailleur daft question?

jimbo0023

Hi,

I've changed frames from a trek to a ribble (my first ever build) and the latest problem I've encountered is the SRAM front derailleur seems to need the cable to be routed from above.

Now the ribble frame runs the derailleur cable underneath and there's no lug on the down tube to guide from above?

Am I being silly here or does the SRAM derailleur (pictured) only work if cable feed is from the top?

Don't know the model of the SRAM derailleur sorry

I can post more pics if it helps of frame etc

nicklouse

if it is top pull only then you will need a new one.

the picture tells nothing.

make model and year of the mech might help. as would pics of any id marks on it.

jimbo0023

Ok so learning curve lesson again, deraileurs can be top/bottom or both pull.

I'll take a detailed pic of deraileur tomorrow when it's light to determine if its top pull only (just my luck)

If it is I've seen this on wiggle
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sram-30-78-spee ... erailleur/ and just need count teeth to check its compatible

bikaholic

On most of the chunky SRAM MTB front derailleurs you will notice that it has a second threaded hole exactly the same size as the cable clamp bolt.

If your frame is routed from below, guess where the cable clamp bolt goes?

cooldad

The mech will have a model number on it.

jimbo0023

Thanks for all the good advice,

It has the flowing stamped on it 48-T C5 DFG325

A google search doesn't return much though but at least I know a bit more of the spec

Would this be a suitable replacement?

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewit ... 2682433424

The Rookie

Are you running a 48T large ring?

We need the model number......does it have a cable mount hole on the other side?

To know if a mech is right you need to consider
1/ Largest ring size
2/ Double or triple
3/ Cable pull
4/ Seat tube diameter
5/ Low or conventional mount.

You haven't given enough info to know if either mech is right!

nicklouse

jimbo0023 wrote:

Would this be a suitable replacement?

it could ork. have a look at your current one see here the bolt for the wire attaches. now look at the oposite side to the pivot. is there a threaded hole?

dual pull.

jimbo0023

Ok here's what I can find
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/assets/im ... ometry.jpg
This is the spec of the frame but doesn't List the tube diameter?

I've counted teeth on the biggest cog and its 42
It's also a triple on the front.

All the components were off the same old bike frame so must have been compatible.

I've attached a pic of the detaileur from the rear now on the ribble frame

Thanks for your patience

jimbo0023

nicklouse wrote:

jimbo0023 wrote:

Would this be a suitable replacement?

it could ork. have a look at your current one see here the bolt for the wire attaches. now look at the oposite side to the pivot. is there a threaded hole?

dual pull.

Success! All I had to do was pinch the bit and bolt and hey presto it's not bottom pull.

Saves me a few quid anyway.

Thank everyone for taking the time to post.
It's YouTube now to fine tune the setup.

The Rookie

Except it's wrong for your crankset as it's for a 48T and you're running a 42T......

cooldad

It'll work fine though.

jimbo0023

The deraileur and crankset were all working fine on the trek frame before I stripped it.

Out of interest is the 48 stamped on the derailleur the maximum size? So as long as its a triple and not more than 48 it will work?

Ps I'm going to get halfords to index the gears as there's a free gear and brake service on O2 at the moment

cooldad

Surely it's easier and quicker to spend five minutes doing it than wasting the time dropping it off and picking it up again?

delete_my_account

...and for Halfrauds to make it worse than it currently is.

cooldad

MichaelMLFC92 wrote:

...and for Halfrauds to make it worse than it currently is.

Wow that is so funny and original I almost wet myself.
Why do you believe Halfords are fraudulent?

The Rookie

The cage is designed to work with a 48T largest ring, the radius of the lower edge will match a 48T ring, it will work with 42T but won't be operating optimally, whether you would notice the difference or not I can't say.

I personally prefer Shimano front mechs, a lot lighter for starters!