Can you use an E-type front derailleur on any bike?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ม.ค. 2025
- ThisI wanted to lower the gearing on a cyclocross bike by using a mountain bike crankset. I couldn't find a derailleur that would work with the frame. In this video I'll discuss if an E-type MTB derailleur might be the answer.
Very interesting. I'd like to enroll in your bike mechanic school. All the best.😊
yes, we're taking early admissions to Bike Hacks University this fall. thanks for watching!
I had the same problem with my gravel/bikepacking bike. I solved it with a pair of custom made (42/26) chainrings for my GRX crankset.
Pros: narrower Q factor and wider range.
Cons: those custom rings were really expensive.
did you custom make them yourself? any chain slack issues?
@@biking-places No. I've just contacted a guy in my country who makes custom chainrings. I had to shorten the chain by a few links of course.
I`m trying to install a front derailleur right now. I thought this might give me some insight into how could solve my problem The down tube is too big and no cable stops to mount the cable and has a BSA bottom bracket. I love a challenge. Thanks for the video I was able rule out that as a solution
thanks, i'm glad this was helpful. when i was making this i thought no one would take anything from it because the bike internet keeps telling me FDs are going the way of the Dodo (or the cottered crank or narrow mtb bars, etc). ultimately these little hacks did lead to bikes that in my opinion are a lot more capable and i definitely did notice that FDs are a bit more forgiving than the rear.
Hi, thanks for this video !! As you say, there are not a lot of information about this subject. Do you have the reference of the older style E-type front derailleur ? I could use it to fix my own problems with front derailleur...
the part number is FD-MC18, hope you can dig some stuff up on it in shimano's docs. mtb tech innovates quickly but sometimes at the expense of compatibility and ease of use.
I have the same issue setting up one of my bikes to do the Mt Washington hill climb event. I just left the front derailleur off and stayed in the small ring. I would like to find a workable solution that would let me shift the front rings though.
you know, that's not a terrible solution. you prob only need the small ring rarely for climbs and can manually shift when you need to. that mt washington climb sounds really painful but that's a beautiful area to ride in.
I am changing my trek roscoe to a more road worthy/bike packing set up. Ive added a Jones loop bar, which i love, and going from 27.5x 2.8+ wheels to 29x2.25. i also am changing out the suspension fork for a rigid fork, to save weight. I like the 10 speed deore with 11-42 cassette, but the fronk crank has only 28t. Good for mountain biking, not so good for the road. The max chain ring it can take on the 1x is 32t. Still not good enough for the road. Im considering doing a 2x set up. I want a 30t small ring and a 40t or greater large ring (maybe GRX). My problem is that the frame is set up for a type-E front derailleur (it has braze ons), but the type E can only do, at best, a 28/38 crank. Something about the side to side movement of the front derailleur. Any thoughts or suggestions?
you're running into a similar issue of trying to mix mtb and gravel/road stuff. i'd suggest getting a cyclocross or gravel crankset which comes in 42/32 or similar and seeing if it works. in my experience there is a little bit of leeway with the FD so it may work just be a bit slow because you're not using it as spec'd. in my opinion a 38/28 isn't that different from the 40/30 you're going for but i rarely use big gears in my riding style so you may have more of a need. good luck and report back if you come up with something clever that works.
I know that your particular frame has non-typical downtube diameter, but what about using say FD-M985E with some standard clamp adapter to add rigidity ?
it's not just non-typical diameter, the tube is a square that turns into a cylinder as it goes up so it's not even truly round. i think what you suggest could work since i don't need it on there super tight so i could maybe try it in the future.
I have a 2023 trek fuel ex gen6. Its an all rounder mtb and i do a lot of road as well before going to my fave bike park. I so badly wanted a front derailleur but i dont know what to install and if its possible.
Most of the people ive talked to dont like the idea. It might take time but im sure i will nstall one someday.
i think newer bikes that are being built around 1x are making it even harder than what i dealt with. good luck, make a video if you're successful.
Never once in my entire life felt anything but distaste for front derailleurs.
Functionality is negligible at best and a liability just as often + they look like garbage and can be heavy and add unnecessary complexity.
that's probably the prevailing sentiment. i still put up with them though because i find i can get a nice and wide gear range without huge gear jumps or having to rebuild using fancy 1x-specific components.
I'm a 3x all the way.
@@biking-places ahh, I mean I am a die hard single speed fan, just having any gears is a luxury for me.
@@ninjaxd9050 got ya, i have one single speed but i hardly ever ride it because i prefer the efficiency of gearing... even if every gear is a little less efficient than that same gear would be on an ss bike. happy riding.
@@biking-places I think SS is more about fun, spinning at all manner of cadance and intensities, as opposed to chilling at 90rpm.
But yeah I have geared bikes too and honestly I feel like the efficiency is barely noticeable on the flats, if not I might even give the edge to my SS, Its hills and wind where gears make the difference.