Which derailleurs

[@ndy]

I want to upgrade my bike from a 3 x 9 to 2 x 10. I'm thinking about getting a 38/24 crankset and an 11/36 cassette. I have been given a brand new M773 XT rear derailleur which was taken from a 3 x 10 chainset. Will this work? What front derailleur should I be considering? My current front derailleur is pulled from the top is this a tops wing? My bike is a Santa Cruz Highball. Can someone please help I'm quite confused with all the options available.

[patches]

Here is a Bottom Swing (or high clamp)

 

http://www.wigglestatic.com/product-media/5360071244/fdm591x6.jpg?w=1000&h=1000&a=7

 

As you can see it will clamp up higher on the seatpost tube. This is necesary with most carbon bikes as they are quite thick where the BB shell tapers into the seatpost tube.

 

However, bottom swing FD's don't work on some dual suspension designs (not a problem in your case) because the rear triangle will foul with it.

 

eg designs like this

 

http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb3202100/p4pb3202100.jpg

 

(you can see how the top swing, ie. higher clamp may be an issue.

 

So these will use a top swing (or low clamp)... like so

 

http://www.bike24.com/i/p/1/1/17311_00_d.jpg

 

As for the "pull", this is different from the swing. this relates to which side the shifter cable actuates from. Many FD's are both top and bottom pull. Many frames too also have provision for both methods.

 

http://blog.treefortbikes.com/wp-content/gallery/front-derailleur-post/frontderpost-3.jpg

 

Check to see if your frame has something like this underneath

 

http://robertsdonovan.com/wp-content/uploads/imgp6239.jpg

 

That is for a bottom pull system.

 

A top pull will be something like this

 

http://www.shandcycles.com/wp-content/themes/shandcycles/images/gallery/stooshie/image_8.jpg

 

So, although I don't know your specific frame off hand, I would say you're likely to need a top pull high clamp FD.

 

Hope that helps

Edited October 8, 2013 by patches

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Yes the xt rear derailleur will work. And yes the top pull front derailleur would be the one to get.

 

Edit: and patches comes in with a text-book like approach. Nicely done, dude.

Edited October 8, 2013 by cpt armpies mayhem

[patches]

I'm not sure if this is the "done thing" but when I changed my AM bike from 3x to 2x I just left the same FD on. It worked fine.

[NotSoBigBen]

I'm not sure if this is the "done thing" but when I changed my AM bike from 3x to 2x I just left the same FD on. It worked fine.

 

I can conffirm that I have also done the same with no issues. Even the limit screws worked OK!

 

Patch our new JB

[Dirtbreath]

I'm not sure if this is the "done thing" but when I changed my AM bike from 3x to 2x I just left the same FD on. It worked fine.

 

The cage is slightly different in shape and a bit more sensitive to set up but works fine once done. Same goes for 9 and 10 sp varieties.

[kennyg]

The FD on the 2 x and 3 x systems are the same, the shifter makes the decision.

 

The 10 speed systems are all similar and cable routing is frame dependant.

[patches]

I have a brand new X0 front derailleur and trigger shifter (2X10). I can let you have both for a grand. Postage for your account. it is a dual swing so will work for you. Yes brand new. Never fitted never used. If you keen drop me a pm and I will send you photos and all the info you need to know about the items.

 

ummm... I stand to be corrected, but I don't think one gets a "dual swing" FD. Dual pull, yes... but swing and pull are different.

 

The swing has got to do with how high or low on the seatpost tube it clamps. The pull is relative to the cable actuation.

[droo]

ummm... I stand to be corrected, but I don't think one gets a "dual swing" FD. Dual pull, yes... but swing and pull are different.

 

The swing has got to do with how high or low on the seatpost tube it clamps. The pull is relative to the cable actuation.

 

Correct. Dual swing would be quite an achievement.

[Bobbo_SA]

I can conffirm that I have also done the same with no issues. Even the limit screws worked OK!

 

Patch our new JB

I'm not sure if this is the "done thing" but when I changed my AM bike from 3x to 2x I just left the same FD on. It worked fine.

 

Agreed, I even used a "Mega9" and it worked

[@ndy]

Thanks very much for all the advice and such a swift response.

[@ndy]

I have just been offered a place in the W2W and it has blown my budget somewhat.

 

The 2 x 10 upgrade has to go on hold but i still need to replace my chain, cassette and chain rings.

 

Seeing as I already have an XT M773 rear derailleur. Could i just buy the parts I need for 10 speed instead of 9 with the only addition a 10 speed rear shifter?