I decided to change my front derailleur from a standard Acera to Sram X-9.
The X-9 is incredibly well made and designed and I decided on sight that it was the answer to my lumpy front gearchanges.
Unfortunately it doesn't fit and I'm wondering where I went wrong?
It clamps onto the seat tube perfectly but when I came to align it with the outer chainring I found that it pushes against the middle ring. The inner chain guard part is 'too deep' and fouls on the middle ring when in position for the big ring.
The unit itself is stamped '44T' but I can't believe 44T is the only size big ring that the X-9 will work with? This looks like the problem though as mine is 42T which I thought was a fairly standard size for an MTB?
I really love the X-9 design and quality. Is it available in a version which will work with my (brand new Middleburn) 42T big chainring? If not can someone suggest an alternative which will work well?
I decided to change my front derailleur from a standard Acera to Sram X-9.
The X-9 is incredibly well made and designed and I decided on sight that it was the answer to my lumpy front gearchanges.
Unfortunately it doesn't fit and I'm wondering where I went wrong?
It clamps onto the seat tube perfectly but when I came to align it with the outer chainring I found that it pushes against the middle ring. The inner chain guard part is 'too deep' and fouls on the middle ring when in position for the big ring.
The unit itself is stamped '44T' but I can't believe 44T is the only size big ring that the X-9 will work with? This looks like the problem though as mine is 42T which I thought was a fairly standard size for an MTB?
I really love the X-9 design and quality. Is it available in a version which will work with my (brand new Middleburn) 42T big chainring? If not can someone suggest an alternative which will work well?
Thanks in advance.
Did you try to put it a little higher, like in the '44T position'? It doesn't effect the shift performance that much in that position with a 42T big ring.
The recommendation I've read is always to leave a gap between the big ring and the outer chain guard of 1mm - 3mm.
In order to avoid the collision with the middle ring I have to position the derailleur way too high on the seat tube. There is a gap of more than 12mm. In that position I think there's a strong possibility of the chain falling right over the big ring and falling off when changing gear upwards.
It really looks as if the gear change is designed for a 48T chainring and won't work with anything smaller. Even though it's stamped 44T I can't believe it would work with less than 48T. Plus, I've just bought a very expensive 42T and the gearing feels exactly right.
Paul
"Lou Holtman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Paul Telco said:
I decided to change my front derailleur from a standard Acera to Sram X-9.
The X-9 is incredibly well made and designed and I decided on sight that it was the answer to my lumpy front gearchanges.
Unfortunately it doesn't fit and I'm wondering where I went wrong?
It clamps onto the seat tube perfectly but when I came to align it with the outer chainring I found that it pushes against the middle ring. The inner chain guard part is 'too deep' and fouls on the middle ring when in position for the big ring.
The unit itself is stamped '44T' but I can't believe 44T is the only size big ring that the X-9 will work with? This looks like the problem though as mine is 42T which I thought was a fairly standard size for an MTB?
I really love the X-9 design and quality. Is it available in a version which will work with my (brand new Middleburn) 42T big chainring? If not can someone suggest an alternative which will work well?
Thanks in advance.
Did you try to put it a little higher, like in the '44T position'? It doesn't effect the shift performance that much in that position with a 42T big ring.
I decided to change my front derailleur from a standard Acera to Sram X-9.
The X-9 is incredibly well made and designed and I decided on sight that it was the answer to my lumpy front gearchanges.
Unfortunately it doesn't fit and I'm wondering where I went wrong?
It clamps onto the seat tube perfectly but when I came to align it with the outer chainring I found that it pushes against the middle ring. The inner chain guard part is 'too deep' and fouls on the middle ring when in position for the big ring.
The unit itself is stamped '44T' but I can't believe 44T is the only size big ring that the X-9 will work with? This looks like the problem though as mine is 42T which I thought was a fairly standard size for an MTB?
I really love the X-9 design and quality. Is it available in a version which will work with my (brand new Middleburn) 42T big chainring? If not can someone suggest an alternative which will work well?
Thanks in advance.
Just did exactly the same, set up an X 9 with 32middle 42outer ring works perfectly though the gap between FD and outer ring is greater than normal to so it clears the middle ring.
The recommendation I've read is always to leave a gap between the big ring and the outer chain guard of 1mm - 3mm.
Yes that is the general recommendation.
Quoted message said:
In order to avoid the collision with the middle ring I have to position the derailleur way too high on the seat tube. There is a gap of more than 12mm. In that position I think there's a strong possibility of the chain falling right over the big ring and falling off when changing gear upwards.
I don't think that will happen with a properly adjusted limitscrew. I rode a XT derailleur with the same specs as the X9 for years with a 42T big ring on a Race Face crankset although the gap wasn't as big as 12 mm if I remember correctly. I use a X9 FD now on my FS with a 44T ring. The radius difference between a 42T and 44T chainring is only 4 mm, so a gap of 6-8 mm should be enough. What is your middle ring? Shimano spec a miniumum difference of 12 teeth between the big ring and the middle ring (normally 32T).
Quoted message said:
It really looks as if the gear change is designed for a 48T chainring and won't work with anything smaller. Even though it's stamped 44T I can't believe it would work with less than 48T. Plus, I've just bought a very expensive 42T and the gearing feels exactly right.
My middle ring is 32T only 10 different to the Simano Spec. This is kind of part of the problem but a 42T outer and 32T middle ring is very normal, I'm surprised that I'm having this trouble with such an ordinary setup.
I haven't actually tried using the X-9 in the 'extra high' position because it looks wrong. I'll try it next weekend and see what happens.
In the meantime I'll see if SRAM's technical help can explain the design.
Thanks for your help so far.
"Lou Holtman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Paul Telco said:
Thanks for getting back to me Lou.
Yes I tried this.
The recommendation I've read is always to leave a gap between the big ring and the outer chain guard of 1mm - 3mm.
Yes that is the general recommendation.
Quoted message said:
In order to avoid the collision with the middle ring I have to position the derailleur way too high on the seat tube. There is a gap of more than 12mm. In that position I think there's a strong possibility of the chain falling right over the big ring and falling off when changing gear upwards.
I don't think that will happen with a properly adjusted limitscrew. I rode a XT derailleur with the same specs as the X9 for years with a 42T big ring on a Race Face crankset although the gap wasn't as big as 12 mm if I remember correctly. I use a X9 FD now on my FS with a 44T ring. The radius difference between a 42T and 44T chainring is only 4 mm, so a gap of 6-8 mm should be enough. What is your middle ring? Shimano spec a miniumum difference of 12 teeth between the big ring and the middle ring (normally 32T).
Quoted message said:
It really looks as if the gear change is designed for a 48T chainring and won't work with anything smaller. Even though it's stamped 44T I can't believe it would work with less than 48T. Plus, I've just bought a very expensive 42T and the gearing feels exactly right.
My middle ring is 32T only 10 different to the Simano Spec. This is kind of part of the problem but a 42T outer and 32T middle ring is very normal, I'm surprised that I'm having this trouble with such an ordinary setup.
I haven't actually tried using the X-9 in the 'extra high' position because it looks wrong. I'll try it next weekend and see what happens.
In the meantime I'll see if SRAM's technical help can explain the design.
Thanks for your help so far.
Paul,
Weird. I have a XTR 44/32/22 setup and I have plenty of room between the inner guideplate of the X9 FD when it is in the big ring position:
If I would replace the 44T chainring with a 42T chainring the gap would not be as large as 12 mm. Here is a picture of the gap now with the 44T big ring, with the FD in the middle ring position:
The gap between the big ring and the FD is 9mm and the gap to the middle ring is 2mm.
I haven't ridden it yet but I must say that just spinning the gears and working the gearchange it seems like it shifts ok. It just looks a bit weird being so far off the top ring.
The real test will be next weekend when it gets an outing. I'll take the old one along just in case...
Huge thanks.
Paul
"Lou Holtman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Paul Telco said:
Lou,
My middle ring is 32T only 10 different to the Simano Spec. This is kind of part of the problem but a 42T outer and 32T middle ring is very normal, I'm surprised that I'm having this trouble with such an ordinary setup.
I haven't actually tried using the X-9 in the 'extra high' position because it looks wrong. I'll try it next weekend and see what happens.
In the meantime I'll see if SRAM's technical help can explain the design.
Thanks for your help so far.
Paul,
Weird. I have a XTR 44/32/22 setup and I have plenty of room between the inner guideplate of the X9 FD when it is in the big ring position:
If I would replace the 44T chainring with a 42T chainring the gap would not be as large as 12 mm. Here is a picture of the gap now with the 44T big ring, with the FD in the middle ring position:
No problems at all with front gearchange despite the 9mm gap.
Many thanks to all who helped me on the road to smooth gearchanges.
Paul
PS The front gear cable was too short for the new derailleur so I followed the shifter instructions for changing it. If anyone else wants to change a cable on an SRAM X-9 shifter and finds that the whole thing falls apart then please drop me an email. It took me two hours to work out where all the little springs and pointy bits go but I now know intimately how to reasemble it from scratch.
Paul Telco said:
Lou,
This is bugging me now so I roughly fitted the X-9 FD to see what is going on.
The gap between the big ring and the FD is 9mm and the gap to the middle ring is 2mm.
I haven't ridden it yet but I must say that just spinning the gears and working the gearchange it seems like it shifts ok. It just looks a bit weird being so far off the top ring.
The real test will be next weekend when it gets an outing. I'll take the old one along just in case...
Huge thanks.
Paul
"Lou Holtman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Paul Telco said:
Lou,
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
My middle ring is 32T only 10 different to the Simano Spec. This is kind of part of the problem but a 42T outer and 32T middle ring is very normal, I'm surprised that I'm having this trouble with such an ordinary setup.
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
I haven't actually tried using the X-9 in the 'extra high' position because it looks wrong. I'll try it next weekend and see what happens.
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
In the meantime I'll see if SRAM's technical help can explain the design.
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Thanks for your help so far.
Quoted message said:
Paul,
Quoted message said:
Weird. I have a XTR 44/32/22 setup and I have plenty of room between the inner guideplate of theX9FD when it is in the big ring position:
If I would replace the 44T chainring with a 42T chainring the gap would not be as large as 12 mm. Here is a picture of the gap now with the 44T big ring, with the FD in the middle ring position:
