Recommendation for Braze-on Front Derailleur for Retro Bike



C

* * Chas

Guest
I have downtube friction shift levers with a Campy NR Braze-on FD now
and it's too narrow.

I'm looking for a Braze-on style front derailleur with a cage that's
wide enough so that I don't have to adjust it every time I shift rear
sprockets.

All of the newer model FDs are made for narrow 9/10 speed chains.

I'm using Suntour Winner 6 speed freewheels, 13-23 or 13-28 and a
Stronglight crank 49-45 or 49-38, depending on ride. The newer narrow
chains will hang on the sprockets so I'm stuck with a wider chain.

The rear derailleur is a Shimano Crane and the chainstays are 40cm.

I'm not stuck on any brand, just what works for me. Any suggestions?

Chas.
 
* * Chas wrote:
> I have downtube friction shift levers with a Campy NR Braze-on FD now
> and it's too narrow.
>
> I'm looking for a Braze-on style front derailleur with a cage that's
> wide enough so that I don't have to adjust it every time I shift rear
> sprockets.
>
> All of the newer model FDs are made for narrow 9/10 speed chains.
>
> I'm using Suntour Winner 6 speed freewheels, 13-23 or 13-28 and a
> Stronglight crank 49-45 or 49-38, depending on ride. The newer narrow
> chains will hang on the sprockets so I'm stuck with a wider chain.
>
> The rear derailleur is a Shimano Crane and the chainstays are 40cm.
>
> I'm not stuck on any brand, just what works for me. Any suggestions?
>
>


Try to find a lightly used or NOS Shimano FD (D-A/Sante/600/105) from
the late '80s. They were designed in the 6/7SP era, allow more rear
shifts w/o adjustment and shift better than your Campy NR in the
bargain. The Suntours of the era are a close second.
 
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>
> * * Chas wrote:
> > I have downtube friction shift levers with a Campy NR Braze-on FD

now
> > and it's too narrow.
> >
> > I'm looking for a Braze-on style front derailleur with a cage that's
> > wide enough so that I don't have to adjust it every time I shift

rear
> > sprockets.
> >
> > All of the newer model FDs are made for narrow 9/10 speed chains.
> >
> > I'm using Suntour Winner 6 speed freewheels, 13-23 or 13-28 and a
> > Stronglight crank 49-45 or 49-38, depending on ride. The newer

narrow
> > chains will hang on the sprockets so I'm stuck with a wider chain.
> >
> > The rear derailleur is a Shimano Crane and the chainstays are 40cm.
> >
> > I'm not stuck on any brand, just what works for me. Any suggestions?
> >
> >

>
> Try to find a lightly used or NOS Shimano FD (D-A/Sante/600/105) from
> the late '80s. They were designed in the 6/7SP era, allow more rear
> shifts w/o adjustment and shift better than your Campy NR in the
> bargain. The Suntours of the era are a close second.
>


Switched to an SRAM 8 speed chain. It fixed all of my shifting problems
on that bike. Wow! Modern technology!

Chas.