Shimano front derailleurs

[Jamessutt]

Hi - wonder if anyone could help me with a compatibility issue?

I’ve recently bought a Trek 1200 SL road bike (2006, I think) and took it in for a health check to see if anything’s the matter with it. One problem that came up was that the front derailleur needs replacing.

I assume it’s a good idea to try and match the front derailleur to the rear, which is a Shimano 105 RD-5600. But the bike is 3x9 speed, and the FD-5600 is no longer available for 3x9, as far as I can see. Would a Shimano Sora R3030 in 3x9 work with my current set-up? (https://www.evanscycles.com/shimano...ed-multi-band-clamp-front-derailleur-EV294127)

If not, what would be a good alternative?

The crankset is a Bontrager Select (52/42/30), if that’s relevant. Apologies for my lack of know-how!

Thanks!

 

[raleighnut]

Should do.

 

[itboffin]

I’m pretty sure I have an almost new 105 triple front mech, I can have a look if you like?

came off my then new trek 1.7 when I swapped to a compact

 

[Jamessutt]

I’m pretty sure I have an almost new 105 triple front mech, I can have a look if you like?

came off my then new trek 1.7 when I swapped to a compact

That’d be great, if you wouldn’t mind having a look. It’d need to be for a 3x9 set-up and clip-on rather than braze-on, I think.

 

[Ajax Bay]

One problem that came up was that the front derailleur needs replacing.

What did the LBS suggest was defective?
Is your FD band on (has a band which folds round the seat tube and secures with a screw (hex key headed) or 'braze-on' where there's a little flange permanently attached to the seat tube to which you bolt on the FD. If the former it's better to get the correct band-on dimension for your seat tube OD rather than use shims.
This Shimano sheet shows the difference: https://si.shimano.com/pdfs/ev/EV-FD-5500-1737B.pdf
Used you can try FD-5503 eg this one (NB 28.6mm band-on): https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shimano-105-Front-Mech-FD-5503/274084812939 (fair price at £25 imo).
FD-5603 will work too: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shimano-105-FD-5603-Triple-34-9mm-Clamp-On-Front-Derailleur/273227498978 (NB medium term)
The Sora you linked to with be fine. Or this if braze-on:
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/deraill...dr3030-9-spd-triple-front-derailleur-brazeon/
Don't get a FD-4403 (Tiagra) - they have a justified reputation for early breakage.
HTH

 

[Jamessutt]

What did the LBS suggest was defective?
Is your FD band on (has a band which folds round the seat tube and secures with a screw (hex key headed) or 'braze-on' where there's a little flange permanently attached to the seat tube to which you bolt on the FD. If the former it's better to get the correct band-on dimension for your seat tube OD rather than use shims.
This Shimano sheet shows the difference: https://si.shimano.com/pdfs/ev/EV-FD-5500-1737B.pdf
Used you can try FD-5503 eg this one (NB 28.6mm band-on): https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shimano-105-Front-Mech-FD-5503/274084812939 (fair price at £25 imo).
FD-5603 will work too: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shimano-105-FD-5603-Triple-34-9mm-Clamp-On-Front-Derailleur/273227498978 (NB medium term)
The Sora you linked to with be fine. Or this if braze-on:
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/deraill...dr3030-9-spd-triple-front-derailleur-brazeon/
Don't get a FD-4403 (Tiagra) - they have a justified reputation for early breakage.
HTH

Thanks very much for the help. The front derailleur that’s currently on there is an Altus, which I’m told is for mountain bikes and seems to be damaging the mechanism.

It’s band-on rather than braze-on, and the seat tube has a diameter of 35.6mm. Which derailleur would be the best fit for that?

 

[itboffin]

That’d be great, if you wouldn’t mind having a look. It’d need to be for a 3x9 set-up and clip-on rather than braze-on, I think.

yep found it, its FD-5603 which will work just fine for your 3x9 its braze on so needs a band clamp, i have a 31.8mm as well or you could just buy whatever size you need.

They've been sat in my spares box for maybe 12 years, there's yours FOC + postage if you want them, DM with your address.

 

[Ajax Bay]

https://bike.bikegremlin.com/1297/bicycle-front-derailleur-compatibility/
Scroll down to #6
Though note it's not quite right: Road shifters (STIs) designed for triples like yours will have 5 positions and 4 clicks (not "just 3 positions", helps the necessary trimming.
Also the Altus will have a curvature optimised for a 48t large chainring. So it's working with your road shifters, but less than optimum. Who knows how it found its way onto the bike? The bike shop is right to recommend that you replace it, but nothing's going to break, short term.