Front mech cable routing

[LazyTrailRider]

Does anyone have any experience with dual-pull front mechs, specifically the cable routing implications?

 

I just had a 2009 SLX front mech fitted as part of a complete groupset, and only realised when admiring my mechanic's handiwork that the new mech I'd bought is actually a conventional-swing, as opposed to top-swing version (I had a top-swing, top-pull on before). My frame's routing brings the cable in from the top, and with the old top-swing mech, the cable traced a fairly straight line down.

 

Now, with the new, dual-pull (luckily it is actually dual-pull and not a bottom-pull, otherwise I would've had a problem), the cable clamp sits pretty far away from the frame (see attached pic), so the cable is at quite an angle.... My mechanic assures me it's not an issue, and I trust him; but I can't help but suspect that the angle created at the boss is going to eventually wear my nice XTR noodle/snorkle down.

 

 

 

Any thoughts?

 

PS: Also, is there any performance difference between top-swing and conventional swing? My logic tells me that a top-swing's body might be more rigid, but of course it might be the opposite...

[turtlek]

all you could ask him to do is route it from the back as that will help it trace a straighter path down the seat tube

 

 

 

it really doesnt matter but if you route it from the back you will have to cut the cable shorter so it doesnt catch the chain when its at it's highest point other than that if it works now leave it and then when the time comes to replace the cable just do it the other way!!!

[LazyTrailRider]

Thanks turtlek, that does make sense. I'll just have to route the entire cable down the left-hand bosses instead then, which will mean a change to the length of the outer at the shifters as well. Will have to leave it until the next cable change, seeing as it seems to be working fine for now.

[turtlek]

yea you might not have to change outer length though as that should stay the same unless you are changing frames at the same time as changing cables

 

 

 

the only change that would be needed is a longer inner and you should be sorted

 

 

 

hope that makes sense

[WillemT]

Where did you buy the SLX group or specificly the crank and what did you pay?? I'm looking for one!!

[turtlek]

nite rider cool heat got thier stock of SLX grouppo's sometime last month so you should be alright just walking into your Non price fixing LBS and then make a special order

[LazyTrailRider]

Where did you buy the SLX group or specificly the crank and what did you pay?? I'm looking for one!!

 

Got the entire group (just excluding hubs) from Chris Willemse (jnr) for R4200, he had two sets left beginning of last week, so check with him...

 

Only got everything built yesterday, so am taking the new kit out tomorrow for the first time. Also slipped on a new pair of Mavic CrossRides, alltogether a nice upgrade operation 

[WillemT]

I saw it on their website. Just sent them a mail. I'm happy with all teh parts on my bike, I just really need a new crank. Would be sattisfied with a LX aswell but I can't get hold of any... or the lbs can't get any from the distributors.

 

Will pop in with them tom morning and hear what's going on. The SLX looks very nice to me, the styling is almost the same idea as the XTR crank, very nice!!!!

[LazyTrailRider]

BTW, here's an interesting analysis of top vs bottom-swing:

 

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=370065

 

It seems like good old bottom-swing is in fact probably a better bet.