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Bicycle Derailleur - Always on the Right Chainring
Chain on the right - and off you go. Alongside the rear derailleur, the front derailleur is one of the most important parts of any bicycle gear system. It performs the shifting operations between the chainrings and thus helps to ensure that you are riding in the desired gear. It is therefore important that your front derailleur runs precisely. But what types of front derailleur are there? And what should you look out for when buying a new front derailleur? You can find the answers to these questions here. Read more
The Front Gear Derailleur and Its Importance
Shifting from one chainring to the other. Smooth, frictionless and precise. Even if the front derailleur appears to be a comparatively small component at first glance, it is of crucial importance for the function of your bike. As part of the bike's gears, it converts your shifting commands to the chainring. By making small movements to the left and right, it ensures that the chain is on the correct chainring. Most current models are 2x, i.e. designed for two chainrings. Front derailleurs for triple cranks are now less common.
Because the front derailleur is all about nuances, it is essential that it works perfectly on your bike. Only then can you enjoy smooth shifting at the push of a button on the shifter and concentrate fully on riding.
Bicycle Front Derailleur Design - Which Variants Are Available?
Whether road bike, mountain bike or touring bike - front derailleurs are available on every bike that has more than one chainring at the front. Depending on the type of bike and component manufacturer, there are different model variants. The first distinguishing criterion is how the front derailleur is attached to the bike:
- Front derailleur with clamp: the front derailleur hangs on a clamp that is bolted to the frame.
- Braze-on derailleur: You do not need a clamp. Instead, they are screwed directly to the mount already attached to the bike frame.
- Direct mount: Here, threads are embedded in the frame to mount the front derailleur in a predetermined position.
- E-Type: Here you attach the front derailleur with an angle plate between the bottom bracket and the frame. No clamp or braze-on base.
Another distinguishing feature is how the shift cable is routed into the front derailleur: With a top-pull front derailleur, the shift cable is routed from the top. This design is usually found on MTBs and cyclocross bikes. In contrast, trekking and electric road bikes often have a derailleur cable routed from below. This configuration is known as a down-pull derailleur. Many models are also available as dual-pull derailleurs. Here you can route the cables both from above and below.
Buying Advice - The Right Front Derailleur for Your Bike
When buying a new front derailleur, the most important thing is to find the right model for your bike. You should consider the following points when buying:
- Frontderailleur: The front derailleur should match your groupset. This starts with the brand - such as Campagnolo, Shimano or SRAM - and continues with the type of groupset. Electronic groupsets need different front derailleurs than mechanical groupsets.
- Capacity: The capacity of the front derailleur is also important for the purchase decision. This refers to the maximum difference in size that the derailleur can achieve between the largest and smallest chainring. The capacity is given in the number of teeth.
- Chainring size: How big is the largest chainring that the front derailleur can hold?
- Mounting type: Do you need a front derailleur with clamp, a braze-on derailleur or the direct mount version?
- Clamp size: It is important that you choose the right clamp size for the clamp front derailleur. As a rule, the diameter is 34.9 mm. However, there are also other dimensions.
- Top-pull, down-pull or dual-pull: The design of your bike is also decisive here.
- 2x or 3x: Most front derailleurs are optimized for two chainrings, 3x models are often only used on trekking bikes, touring bikes and sometimes cargo bikes.
The Correct Front Derailleur Setting: What You Should Consider
If the chain jumps or the front derailleur does not shift properly, these are clear signs that you need to readjust it. You can do this using the two adjustment screws on the front derailleur, which change its position. By turning these screws, you can move the position of the front derailleur either closer to the frame or further away from it. The lower screw (also known as the L-screw or low screw) determines the lower front derailleur stop. Your bike chain is located on the smallest chainring and the largest sprocket at the rear. The upper screw (also known as the H screw or high screw) regulates the upper stop of your front derailleur. To do this, shift to the largest chainring and the smallest sprocket at the rear.
Important: Regular maintenance and fine adjustment help to minimize wear and extend the service life of your front derailleur.
Buy Bicycle Front Derailleurs Online
Now you know the most important facts about bicycle front derailleurs. Do you need a new front derailleur? Then take a look around our range. We have a large selection of models for different types of bikes such as road bike derailleurs and mountain bike derailleurs from leading brands such as Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo. We also have a wide range of other bicycle derailleur parts such as shifters and rear derailleurs in stock. Get your new front derailleur today so that your next tour brings maximum riding pleasure - without technical problems!