How to choose a compatible front derailleur, in regards to "gear count"?

Question

I haven't been on a bike for many MANY years. My boyfriend picked up an older Specialized mountain bike for me and I am finding that it is nothing like the Huffy of my youth! It has Shimano brakes that actually work, and also Shimano derailleurs/shifters.

One question I have is how does a person know which front derailleur is compatible with their bike? One vendor's website lists some as being for 9, 10, and 11 "gear count". I have been trying to find an explanation of what gear count they mean, with no luck. I can tell you the front sprocket has 3 gears, and the rear has 6.

Soooo, where do the 9/10/11 numbers come from??

Answer 1

uh

you better go to a bike shop-there is a LOT of stuff to get wrong



why do you want a new derailleur anyway?



99% of the time they just need adjustment or lube



wle

Answer 2

I like that, a girl that can take the tool box and actually change a derailleur cable. Even if it may take some trail and error. Right, it should be in the smallest chain ring when you install the cable. Shifting up, increases the tension on the cable and brings the chain up to larger gear. At rest, or no tension, the spring bring the chain down to lower gear. To adjust, the shifter should be in low, the barrel adjuster all the way in and the chain in the smaller ring. Then remove the slack and pinch the cable on the anchor bolt. As the cable stretches, you pick the new slack with the adjusting barrel by turning counter-clock wise.



Your gear count will be 6. That is kind of obsolete it has not been made since the 1970'ish?, so you will have some trouble finding the exact one. Newer models will fit. After you clean and oil, you may think that some rust actually looks ok and adds character. If you ever decide to replace it, they come with seems to fit several tube sizes.



I like to buy my parts from the local bike shop. You wouldn't believe what those guys can do for a grande late.

Answer 3

Your best bet is to buy a suitable front derailleur in a local bike shop. There are several criteria associated with fitting a front derailleur. The first is the number of chainrings, 2 or 3. Next, the derailleur has to match the size of the outer chainring, a derailleur made for a 53 tooth large ring will not match the curvature needed for the 44 tooth chainrings common on mountain bikes. Next is clamp size. The clamp holds the derailleur to the seat tube of the bike and has to fit the size of the tube. Different bike frames use different size tubing to make the frames so your derailleur has to fit the tube.

One question that comes to mind is if the derailleur is broken. It takes a very long time to wear out a front derailleur, years of riding and tens of thousands of miles, so unless that derailleur is broken it may not need replacement at all. You would be well advised to take the bike to a bike shop and ask about the derailleur, fast and easy with almost no chance of buying the wrong thing. I would advise against buying online for someone like you, you don't sound as if you would be able to change it and adjust it properly anyway

Answer 4

In this case, the 9/10/11 is the number of gears in the back. You need to know that so that the front derailleur can accommodate the angles that the chain will make between the front and back gears.



You got sage advice to go to a bike shop if you have questions about your drive train, or anything else on the bike. If you are thinking about changing the front derailleur because it doesn't work properly, a new cable or an adjustment by someone who knows what they are doing could fix it up. You find those people working in bike shops.



HTH

Answer 5

Soooo, where do the 9/10/11 numbers come from?? That is the number of speeds on the rear and the matching chain.



You want a triple front derailleur for a 8 speed chain.



You want the correct mounting system ( clamp or braze on.)



You want the derailleur to be able handle the largest sprocket ( # of teeth )



You want a top or bottom pull. Most road bikes are bottom pull.



Most of the time you can free up derailleurs with some Liquid Wrench.



http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-FD-2303-3x8sp-F-derailleur-31-8mm/dp/B002UZBSSG/ref=sr_1_2?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1378756425&sr=1-2



Edit:

You set it up on the smallest chain ring not the largest.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxV_vKlgolc