Boardman CX - Front Mech Change

[lejogger]

Hi All,

I've finally had enough of the Microshift front mech on my Boardman CX. It's stiff and inconsistent, jams the chain, and no matter how perfectly I adjust it on the stand, within a few miles it's throwing the chain off onto the cranks.

First question: Because it's the Apex Groupset, I presume I'm not restricted to the Apex mech in the way that it's not an Apex mech on there at the moment? In theory I should be able to use any SRAM/Shimano mech right?

So next question: Does it matter that the range on the rear cassette is particularly wide (11-32t)?

Thirdly: I can get an SRAM Force mech for pretty cheap, however not only is this an upgrade on the winter/commuter, but it's also an upgrade on the Rival I have on my best bike. Is it worth buying the Force, putting that on the carbon, and then transferring the Rival to the CX? Or is that too much faffing about?

Thoughts?

 

[tincaman]

Front mech, Any Shimano/SRAm that will shift a double will do.

Cassette, personal preference, I like the range cos I have brutal hills to climb, but then its nice to use a closer ratio range on my other bike as a change.

The rear mech is a bit of a "meh", I found no difference between Apex, Rival and Force in use, they all do the same job. I now just buy on price.

 

[lejogger]

Front mech, Any Shimano/SRAm that will shift a double will do.

Cassette, personal preference, I like the range cos I have brutal hills to climb, but then its nice to use a closer ratio range on my other bike as a change.

The rear mech is a bit of a "meh", I found no difference between Apex, Rival and Force in use, they all do the same job. I now just buy on price.

Cheers tincaman.

I'm happy that the force or the rival will be fine now, I'm just now unsure which to go for, and if I do get the force whether it would be weird having a better spec mech on the winter bike than I do on the best bike!
The best bike shifts lovely so it's probably best not to change anything over - 'if it ain't broke...' Etc

Just need to measure the seat-tube now so I know what size clamp to get...

 

[tincaman]

Just need to measure the seat-tube now so I know what size clamp to get...

35.2mm

 

[lejogger]

Hmmm what if the mech options are either 31.8mm, 34.9mm or braze on?!
Assume 34.9mm will fit?