Front derailleurs (3x9) - inform the ignorant

[ajm]

I noticed my front derailleur seemed a bit "looser" than normal recently, and looking closer it appears like part of the casting has broken off at the pivot point on one side:



Assuming this is the case(?), I need to source a replacement. Seat tube seems to be 31.8mm - a fair number of derailleurs seem to claim to fit both 31.8 or 34.9 seat tubes. Is this true for all M952 front derailleurs for example? What are my choices? Can't remember now which model number is on there currently, it's 9 speed XT though.

 

[ishaw]

Do you mean looser shifting or attached to the frame?

Until modern times, derailleurs came in sizes to fit frame tube diameters, though you could always get a shim kit back then to make a wider one fit a narrower frame. These days they tend to be sized for the largest tubes and shim down.

If you are looking for a replacement, you'll need to consider the variations such as low mount, high mount (clamp sits low or high compared to the cage, yours looks to be high mount), and top or bottom pull (yours looks to be top pull) in addition to the diameter.

You should easily be able to find a replacement, I may have options if you can confirm the model you are looking for.

 

[legrandefromage]

thats a bog standard mech from a while ago

STX-RC,Deore, LX and XT all used similar designs and are interchangeable by removing a little washer and you can change top-pull to bottom pull and so-on

I have a few spare mechs here for the cost of postage

if you want one

 

[ajm]

By looser, the cage itself is rattly - still shifts but somewhat more vaguely. I wondered if they relied on shims to get the sizing down, or whether they had come up with a clever multi-position clamp or something.. suppose that means if going for second hand I'd need to have a suitable shim too.

I wasn't aware you could convert between top pull and bottom pull... I'm needing top pull obviously. Current one is low clamp, the cage pivots above it rather than the older kind I'm more used to which hang down from the clamp.

LGF, might take you up on that, thanks...

 

[ajm]

I saw there's a front mech for sale here https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/xtr-front-mech.490762/ - would that fit despite saying 34.9?

 

[bikeworkshop]

You need the shims.
Some are specific to certain derailleurs, but can usually be adapted.
Your lbs or friendly local bike collector ought to have a stack

The vendor might well have a pair