Top Swing or Down Swing

Lou Holtman said:

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

GregR said:

Lou Holtman said:

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.

Quoted message said:

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

Getting a little confusing.

Quoted message said:

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?

Quoted message said:

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?

Quoted message said:

G

--
Perre

You have to be smarter than a robot to reply.

"Per Elmsäter" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

GregR said:

Lou Holtman said:

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.

Quoted message said:

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

Getting a little confusing.

Quoted message said:

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?

Quoted message said:

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?

Quoted message said:

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

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

Quoted message said:

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 [censored]. 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.

"Matt O'Toole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

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

Quoted message said:

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 [censored]. I don't

know if

Quoted message said:

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

Quoted message said:

buy it. So far, I haven't found one that's top pull, bottom swing, for a

1 3/8"

Quoted message said:

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

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

Quoted message said:

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.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

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

All I know is that my XT top swing derailer is a piece of [censored]. 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. yellowjersey.orgders.htmlOpen ↗

There are too darn many variables for FDers!

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