How to choose your road bike front derailleur?

How to choose your road bike front derailleur?

Visit front derailleur is one of the few relatively simple parts to choose. Here's how to select it.

Standard derailleurs

  • The number of speeds: 9, 10, 11 or 12
  • Number of chainrings, today: 1, 2 or 3
  • Type of mounting: clamp or solder

Front derailleur types

Even if SHIMANO and SRAM theoretically operate under the same front-end standard, suggesting that you can associate these two brands, this assertion is less and less true with the latest generations of drivetrains. So much so, in fact, that some components from the same brand are designed to work only with the same series, such as SHIMANO's 4700 range or SRAM's Yaw.

As for the type of mounting, the traditional system is a 28.6 mm, 31.8 mm or 34.9 mm diameter clamp. However, if your frame is fitted with a derailleur hanger, you'll need a "braze-on" derailleur.

Which front derailleur to choose?

Your choice will depend above all on the standard imposed by your bike's frame. Just make sure you choose a derailleur that's compatible with your frame, and preferably from the same brand and range as your lever to avoid any incompatibility.

If you already have a braze-on derailleur, but a frame designed for conventional mounting, there are "braze-on clamps" to adapt your derailleur.

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