the unofficially cool MTB drop bar thread
- Thread starter legrandefromage
- Start date
watcherinthewoods
Retro Newbie
Nice build 
watcherinthewoods
Retro Newbie
Does anyone have an 80mm 17 degree, 31.8 On-One Stem they'd like to sell on? I've a set of 25.4 44cm Nitto drops if anyone's interested...
shogun700
Retro Guru
ARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!! I'm sick of compatibility issues....simple changes on all my bikes this winter has turned into a daily search for minor parts!
This is my drop build, 1988 Cannondale SM700. It's perfect! Unfortunately I've tried 3 MTB front mechs with the old RX100 brifters and nothing will shift all 3 rings. I was reading about compatibility issues a few pages ago in this thread, have done some googling on my own, and am still not sure if the problem is worn-out front mechs (all 3 have sloppy pivots) or incompatibility. I hate to dump coin on another front mech, but I'd love to shift the front with the lever as intended. I will update when I find a road triple, bottom pull, 31.8 clamp unit that's suitable.
This is my drop build, 1988 Cannondale SM700. It's perfect! Unfortunately I've tried 3 MTB front mechs with the old RX100 brifters and nothing will shift all 3 rings. I was reading about compatibility issues a few pages ago in this thread, have done some googling on my own, and am still not sure if the problem is worn-out front mechs (all 3 have sloppy pivots) or incompatibility. I hate to dump coin on another front mech, but I'd love to shift the front with the lever as intended. I will update when I find a road triple, bottom pull, 31.8 clamp unit that's suitable.
marcinski":2z1qcrrl said:
You can use a MTB front mech with STI, but it requires a small modification to account for the
lower amount of cable pull from the STIs.
Cut a small groove on the arm of the FD the other side of the pinch bolt where the cable
normal attaches. Route the cable in the new slot, fasten up and away you go. It's good to have an
inline cable adjuster to help fettle the indexing.
I'm running a 1995 LX FD-M565 with 2012 Tiagra ST-4603 STIs; works spot on, including the trimming functions on my CX rig. Some people say it makes the STI gear lever a bit stiffer and put's more stress on the ratchet / pawls, but
I haven't had any issues and it's a big improvement compared to flimsy road triple FDs which are pretty much impossible
to find in the top-pull flavour.
mechanical_vandal
Retro Guru
26x3.0 Nokian Gazzalodi on the front, 26x2.7 Bonty Big Earl on the rear. Frame clearance could be better on the rear but far from anything to worry about, fork and straddle cable/brake arm etc clearance is all fine.
The wheelset has a wider rear rim than front but I've got a set with the wider rim front and rear on the way. That'll let the front tyre sit a little fatter at the bottom but don't think it'll cause any clearance issues.
Ride is a bit heavier and more sluggish than when it was on a pair of 2.2 RaceKings but it feels like a monster truck. Once you get it rolling, it keeps going.
The wheelset has a wider rear rim than front but I've got a set with the wider rim front and rear on the way. That'll let the front tyre sit a little fatter at the bottom but don't think it'll cause any clearance issues.
Ride is a bit heavier and more sluggish than when it was on a pair of 2.2 RaceKings but it feels like a monster truck. Once you get it rolling, it keeps going.
AirPressure
Old School Hero
Alternately you could use 1st generation Dura Ace or Ultegra front shifter which were not indexed and would hapily put the derailleur wherever you want it.
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