98 Orange P7 - what front mech size does it REALLY need?

[Mattydoors]

Restoring a 98 P7 got it resprayed and all looking lovely and the Orange website says a 31.8 front mech......I duly locate a period xtr of said size to find it doesn’t bloody fit! The seat tube begins to ovalise 2/3 of the way down.....so a bit of help please.....what size do I actually need to get?

 

[rwm1962]

That's a bugger. I'm part way through the build on mine & went to do a rough fitting of the front mech a while back. I noticed it seemed too small but I thought it would likely go on when I came to it properly. Got me worried now! I still have the original STX one though so I'll try & get a good look tomorrow if I get time.

 

[mk one]

Maybe paint is thick!? if its close to fitting then its the paint, if its way off then its probably 34.9.

 

[mk one]

....also what mech you using? might need to use a normal mech, high clamp bottom swing.

 

[Mattydoors]

Nice one, let me know what size it is. I was pathetically excited when I got back today as the last thing I needed to get was a Chris King headset......and now this happens....doh.
Be interested to see you pics and progress.....such a top frame!

 

[Mattydoors]

Osgm......it’s not the paint, there’s a deffo oval towards the bottom. I thought about a high clamp but it has to be top swing, however the 98 Orange catalogue clearly shows a low clamp fitted. Thanks for the 34.9 advice....I might try to find the cheapest one I can to test it.

 

[mk one]

Just checked, you need the bottom swing mech! and yes its 31.8. Some tubesets are ovalised at the bottom of the seat tube, so you cant fit a mech at the bottom, either a bb mounted or a bottom swing. Why do you say you need a top swing?

 

[Mattydoors]

What a plank.....I meant it pulls from the bottom!....so have I got the wrong one? The pull is for. The bottom and the hinge is above.
I’m trying to remember what I had on my original P7....it was XT but can’t recall the type.

 

[Mattydoors]

What a plank.....I meant it pulls from the bottom!....so have I got the wrong one? The pull is for. The bottom and the hinge is above.
I’m trying to remember what I had on my original P7....it was XT but can’t recall the type.

 

[mk one]

Are you sure of the year? has the frame got a lug on the seat tube near the bb? will be an e-type bb mounted mech if it has, the '96 or '97 used them.