trek 5200: installingcompact double

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by fredf
Are there any problems installing a compact double (like FSA) derailler on a Trek 5200. THe clamp for the front derailer is 'brazed' on not clamped so I wonder, since the positioning cannot be adjusted, if a compact double will work well?

The position of the front derailer *can* be adjusted. The bracket is slotted for height adjustment. If your big ring on the compact crankset will be 50T or bigger, you can probably get the front derailer low enough without modifications to the "brazed-on" bracket. If you are going with 46T or 48T, you will probably need to get out the Dremel tool and grind the slot a little bigger.

Gonzo Bob,
The FSA compact comes as either 50/34 or 46/36. Are you saying that if I go with 46/36 I will have to grind the slot a little bigger but the 50/34 should be ok?
If I take a dremel tool to the frame I'm sure I will lose the lifetime warrantee of Trek's and so I wouldn't want to do that.
Does this mean I am confined, then, to the 50/34?

thanks

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by fredf
Gonzo Bob,
The FSA compact comes as either 50/34 or 46/36. Are you saying that if I go with 46/36 I will have to grind the slot a little bigger but the 50/34 should be ok?
If I take a dremel tool to the frame I'm sure I will lose the lifetime warrantee of Trek's and so I wouldn't want to do that.
Does this mean I am confined, then, to the 50/34?

thanks

The 50 will work.I would not be inclined to take a dremel tool to an aluminum hanger anyway. the 5200 was never envisioned to be used with a 46. Don't quote me, but I think the drop in derailer for each 2 teeth less is about 1/8".

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by fredf
Gonzo Bob,
The FSA compact comes as either 50/34 or 46/36. Are you saying that if I go with 46/36 I will have to grind the slot a little bigger but the 50/34 should be ok?
If I take a dremel tool to the frame I'm sure I will lose the lifetime warrantee of Trek's and so I wouldn't want to do that.
Does this mean I am confined, then, to the 50/34?

thanks

Check that the hanger is just bolted on.If so it can be replaced if you screw it up and it would have nothing to do with frame warranty.

That's the point...I don't think it's bolted on. The Trek website is useless about this. If it is bolted on, there's no problem.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by fredf
That's the point...I don't think it's bolted on. The Trek website is useless about this. If it is bolted on, there's no problem.

Just look on the frame. I think the bracket is attached to the frame with a couple of allen head screws.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Gonzo Bob
Just look on the frame. I think the bracket is attached to the frame with a couple of allen head screws.

Mine is.

Yes, that is the case for most frames...the front derailleur is bolted onto the seattube. But I believe, and this is what I want confirmed, the Trek 5200 is 'braze-on' and is, therefore, not moveable and therefor has limited adjustment.
This is what I'm trying to find out...is the front derailleur hanger on the Trek 5200 bolted on or an integral part of the frame?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by fredf
Yes, that is the case for most frames...the front derailleur is bolted onto the seattube. But I believe, and this is what I want confirmed, the Trek 5200 is 'braze-on' and is, therefore, not moveable and therefor has limited adjustment.
This is what I'm trying to find out...is the front derailleur hanger on the Trek 5200 bolted on or an integral part of the frame?

The braze on tab!!! Look at the braze on tab on your frame!!!!! Look at it!!! Look at it!!! You may not be able to see the two bolts if it's got a derailer mounted on it, but this ain't rocket science.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by boudreaux
The braze on tab!!! Look at the braze on tab on your frame!!!!! Look at it!!! Look at it!!! You may not be able to see the two bolts if it's got a derailer mounted on it, but this ain't rocket science.

LOL!!! I was thinking it and you just went ahead and said it! Too funny!

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by fredf
Yes, that is the case for most frames...the front derailleur is bolted onto the seattube.

No, the FD is not 'bolted onto' the seattube. It's attached with a clamp (the clamp has a bolt) or bolted to a braze on tab.The tab can be permanently afixed or bolted to the frame.

O.K guys, I'm not a complete idiot!
I didn't mention this because I thought it was irrelevant to the initial question...I don't own the bike, I am thinking about buying one and wanted to know if I could fit an FSA compact crank.
I understand that if the smallest chainring is too small that I might not be able to lower the front derailleur enough to work properly.
I want to know before I buy the bike. So, I CAN'T JUST LOOK AT IT, as I DON'T have one yet!
So, if anyone knows specifically about the Trek 5200 that would be great.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by fredf
O.K guys, I'm not a complete idiot!
I didn't mention this because I thought it was irrelevant to the initial question...I don't own the bike, I am thinking about buying one and wanted to know if I could fit an FSA compact crank.
I understand that if the smallest chainring is too small that I might not be able to lower the front derailleur enough to work properly.
I want to know before I buy the bike. So, I CAN'T JUST LOOK AT IT, as I DON'T have one yet!
So, if anyone knows specifically about the Trek 5200 that would be great.

A 50 will work, a 48 maybe and a 46,don't plan on it without monkeying wirh the hanger. Duno why you need a 46 anyway,but that's another issue.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by fredf
O.K guys, I'm not a complete idiot!
I didn't mention this because I thought it was irrelevant to the initial question...I don't own the bike, I am thinking about buying one and wanted to know if I could fit an FSA compact crank.
I understand that if the smallest chainring is too small that I might not be able to lower the front derailleur enough to work properly.
I want to know before I buy the bike. So, I CAN'T JUST LOOK AT IT, as I DON'T have one yet!
So, if anyone knows specifically about the Trek 5200 that would be great.

Let me be one point more specific: I am talking about the clamp that the FD is attached to: is that a braze on or bolted on the frame of the Trek 5200?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by fredf
Let me be one point more specific: I am talking about the clamp that the FD is attached to: is that a braze on or bolted on the frame of the Trek 5200?

it is a braze on tab that is bolted to the frame.