Which front deraillieur for an Audax Mk.3 ?

[aesmith]

Hi,

Just wondered what front mechs people used on the Mk.3.  The bottle cage mounts limit where you can fit the mech, and for example I find that a standard Shimano 105 double can't be fitted low enough to a 50/34 chainset.  Unfortunately none of the manufacturers specifications give the relationship between the clamp and the cage, so its hard to see how to find a more suitable mech other than by trial and error.

I might want to change to a 48 tooth front ring, which would make it even worse.

Anyone uses a double with 50 or 48 tooth ring?  If so, what mech do you use?

Thanks in advance, Tony S

[Dave Whittle Thorn Workshop]

Try using:

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-SJSC-Powerplay-Band-On-Clamp-for-braze-on-front-derailleur-Black-14720.htm

With a braze on mech, the slot should give you enough adjustment.

[aesmith]

Cheers.  Did you find that a standard double didn't work?   What size front ring do you use? 

My current set up, a 50/34 double with the Shimano 105 double mech, actually works OK although the mech is higher than it should be.

[Dave Whittle Thorn Workshop]

Never tried it, I work on parts here at SJS and was just suggesting an option that would extend your adjustment.

[aesmith]

Never tried it, I work on parts here at SJS and was just suggesting an option that would extend your adjustment.

I'll bear it in mind.   A bit of a bodge though, don't you think, and would indicate that they've put the braze-on in the wrong place?   The strange thing is that Thorn are 100% positive that a triple mech should fit low enough, but can't tell me which one I should be looking for.  Maybe only the Tiagra mech works, and that would be a shame as the rest of my set up is 105, so that would mean mixing 9 and 10 speed parts.

Tony S