Mountain Bike Front Derailleur

Anyone recommend a solid mountain bike front derailleur?

I want to upgrade my drivetrain for my XC style riding. I have a 2003 Giant NRS3 and want to upgrade to a shimano XT front derailleur. What is the exact specs i need for this particular bike? Top pull or bottom? Diameter?

Lucky for you lots of the Shimano derailleurs work with either top or bottom pull. Just look at how your cable is routed now to decide what you have (I think it’s top-pull)….or look at where the cable stops are. Also, you can use either top-swing or bottom-swing with the NRS.

Shimano (and many of the Sram models, too) has begun packaging their derailleurs with the “multi-clamp” band clamp adaptors to fit all three sizes. Off the top of my head I’d say the NRS takes the 31.8, but it may take the smaller 28.6…..measure it to be sure (they equal 1-1/4″ and 1-1/8″).

The Sram fronts are great……wide, stiff, and crisp. The X.9 is competitive in price. Shimano finally followed suit with the ’07 and ’08 models and made the linkages wider/stiffer. Lots of closeout pricing online right now as the ’08s start to hit the market. I’d say choose either one and enjoy the ride!

How to Adjust a Front Derailleur – Mountain Bike (www.fezzari.com)

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