8 speed front dérailleurs, grrrrrrhhh!

[ushills]

Today I learnt something new, a 10 speed 105 front dérailleur is not particularly compatible with an 8 speed set up.

While I have replaced my rear dérailleur twice now with 10 speed types, tiagra then 105 and not had a problem, following the great Sheldon Brown's (deceased) advice. I mistakenly thought and read that the same applied to the front dérailleur.

Well it's been fitted and it is very difficult to avoid chain rub, I can set it to avoid rub in the top and bottom extremes then it is difficult to find a position with the brifter where it doesn't rub in the middle of the cassette. Adjust the barrel adjuster to remove the rubbing, then it rubs at the extremes. What a pain.

Not surprising as the cage width on the 105 is 11mm and the 8 speed sora that came of over 16mm.

Not sure what to do now, I think 8 speed Claris is the only 8 speed Shimano now make.

 

[fossyant]

Hunt ebay for good condition 8 speed front mechs.

 

[fossyant]

Shimano R440 8 speed front mech. Google or go to SJS Cycles. Decent quality. Evans have it also

 

[Flying Dodo]

What I've done before is CAREFULLY put the front of the derailleur in a set of Mole grips and then close them tightly, then with the handle end of a large adjustable spanner inserted into the middle of the derailleur cage, bent open the 2 arms of the cage, to make them wider. If the rear of your cage is welded together rather than held with a rivet or screw, then it would be best to have a second Mole grip on that end as well.

I've managed to do this succesfully on 2 derailleurs, to avoid that chain rub issue.

 

[ushills]

Is the R440 okay with road shifters rather than flat bar, I have 8 speed Sora brifters.

 

[mcshroom]

I have Sora 9sp FDs on my road an touring 8sp bikes. Even with the 42-32-22 chainset on the tourer there's minimal chain rub.

Road and MTB front mechs are not compatible unfortunately.

 

[fossyant]

Yes. They pull the same cable

 

[dan_bo]

I was imagining 8 front rings then.

Ignore me.

 

[Hacienda71]

I was imagining 8 front rings then.

Ignore me.

You been on the sweet sherry at work again Dan?

 

[dan_bo]

You been on the sweet sherry at work again Dan?

These solvents are very, very strong.

 

[ushills]

Yes. They pull the same cable

Thanks for the confirmation.