Top Swing or Down Swing

[Lou Holtman]

Hi,

Is there a difference in shifting performance between a Top Swing and a Down Swing front derailleur
(Shimano XT) and if so what is the reason?

TIA,

Lou

 

[GregR]

On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 16:45:20 +0100, Lou Holtman <[email protected]> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>Is there a difference in shifting performance between a Top Swing and a Down Swing front derailleur
>(Shimano XT) and if so what is the reason?
>

After using top-swing FDs on several MTBs over the years (XT, LX, XTR differential plate model), I
ended up with a bike that would not accept a top-swing FD, and found the bottom-swing shifted better
than any of my other bikes.

Since using the bottom-swing, I have replaced another il- working top-swing model with a
bottom-swing, and its been great. And I am waiting for something to happen to the 3rd bike's
top-swing FD so I can change it too.

I find that the top-swing models flex a lot more than top-swing models.

Some bikes can't use a bottom swing, typically when the bottle cage boss ends up right where the FD
clamp goes.

Personally, I will use top-swing FDs until they come up with a better way to shift on the
front ring.

G

 

[Per ElmsäTer]

GregR wrote:
> On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 16:45:20 +0100, Lou Holtman <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> Is there a difference in shifting performance between a Top Swing and a Down Swing front
>> derailleur (Shimano XT) and if so what is the reason?
>>
>
> After using top-swing FDs on several MTBs over the years (XT, LX, XTR differential plate model), I
> ended up with a bike that would not accept a top-swing FD, and found the bottom-swing shifted
> better than any of my other bikes.
>
> Since using the bottom-swing, I have replaced another il- working top-swing model with a
> bottom-swing, and its been great. And I am waiting for something to happen to the 3rd bike's
> top-swing FD so I can change it too.
>

I've followed you up till now.

> I find that the top-swing models flex a lot more than top-swing models.

Getting a little confusing.

>
> Some bikes can't use a bottom swing, typically when the bottle cage boss ends up right where the
> FD clamp goes.
>

Now I'm confused. Do you mean top or bottom swing?

> Personally, I will use top-swing FDs until they come up with a better way to shift on the
> front ring.

And now I'm really confused. Didn't you start out by saying that you prefered bottom swing?
>
> G

--
Perre

You have to be smarter than a robot to reply.

 

[Lou Holtman]

"Per Elmsäter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> GregR wrote:
> > On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 16:45:20 +0100, Lou Holtman <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >> Hi,
> >>
> >> Is there a difference in shifting performance between a Top Swing and a Down Swing front
> >> derailleur (Shimano XT) and if so what is the reason?
> >>
> >
> > After using top-swing FDs on several MTBs over the years (XT, LX, XTR differential plate model),
> > I ended up with a bike that would not accept a top-swing FD, and found the bottom-swing shifted
> > better than any of my other bikes.
> >
> > Since using the bottom-swing, I have replaced another il- working top-swing model with a
> > bottom-swing, and its been great. And I am waiting for something to happen to the 3rd bike's
> > top-swing FD so I can change it too.
> >
>
> I've followed you up till now.
>
> > I find that the top-swing models flex a lot more than top-swing models.
>
> Getting a little confusing.
>
> >
> > Some bikes can't use a bottom swing, typically when the bottle cage boss ends up right where the
> > FD clamp goes.
> >
>
> Now I'm confused. Do you mean top or bottom swing?
>
> > Personally, I will use top-swing FDs until they come up with a better way to shift on the
> > front ring.
>
> And now I'm really confused. Didn't you start out by saying that you prefered bottom swing?
> >
> > G
>
> --
> Perre
>
> You have to be smarter than a robot to reply.
>
>

What I ment in the first place was

down swing = clamp above the cage, top swing = clamp under the cage,

Both Top Pull ;-)

I too notice that a top swing flex a lot more.

Lou

 

[Matt O'Toole]

"Lou Holtman" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...

> What I ment in the first place was
>
> down swing = clamp above the cage, top swing = clamp under the cage,
>
> Both Top Pull ;-)
>
> I too notice that a top swing flex a lot more.

All I know is that my XT top swing derailer is a piece of ****. I don't know if it's flex inherent
to the design, or that this particular model has sloppy pivots. But if I could find a good
replacement with a bottom swing design I'd buy it. So far, I haven't found one that's top pull,
bottom swing, for a 1 3/8" seat tube.

Matt O.

 

[Lou Holtman]

"Matt O'Toole" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Lou Holtman" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>
> > What I ment in the first place was
> >
> > down swing = clamp above the cage, top swing = clamp under the cage,
> >
> > Both Top Pull ;-)
> >
> > I too notice that a top swing flex a lot more.
>
> All I know is that my XT top swing derailer is a piece of ****. I don't
know if
> it's flex inherent to the design, or that this particular model has sloppy pivots. But if I could
> find a good replacement with a bottom swing design
I'd
> buy it. So far, I haven't found one that's top pull, bottom swing, for a
1 3/8"
> seat tube.
>
> Matt O.
>
>

Isn't the Shimano FD-M751 SH-562052 the one you are looking for (XT down swing/top pull with a 34.9
mm clamp)?

Lou

 

[Matt O'Toole]

"Lou Holtman" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...

> Isn't the Shimano FD-M751 SH-562052 the one you are looking for (XT down swing/top pull with a
> 34.9 mm clamp)?

Could be, but I've never been able to find one in stock anywhere.

Matt O.

 

[A Muzi]

>> "Lou Holtman" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>> What I ment in the first place was down swing = clamp above the cage, top swing = clamp under the
>> cage, Both Top Pull ;-) I too notice that a top swing flex a lot more.

Matt O'Toole wrote:
> All I know is that my XT top swing derailer is a piece of ****. I don't know if it's flex inherent
> to the design, or that this particular model has sloppy pivots. But if I could find a good
> replacement with a bottom swing design I'd buy it. So far, I haven't found one that's top pull,
> bottom swing, for a 1 3/8" seat tube.

We have the Deore LX M566 in 34.8, TP, Bottom swing black color $34.95, part of a tranche of
obsolete but useful front changers. http://www.yellowjersey.org/ders.html

There are too darn many variables for FDers!

--
Andrew Muzi www.yellowjersey.org Open every day since 1 April, 1971