Author Topic: 856 Front Mech Choice (Read 4489 times)

WD Pro · « **on:** December 23, 2009, 12:25:53 am »

I am looking at getting either a xtr 970 or 971 front mech - one having the high and the other having the low clamp.

Has anyone fitted either of these to an 856 (or similar) ?

I am guessing the high / traditional clamp version is the one to go for but all input / comments appreciated.

Cheers,

WD

sammydog · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2009, 03:26:37 am »

I'm not sure of the model number but when I get my swingarm back in the first week of January I will be attempting to fit a high band XTR front mech.

I will let you know how it pans out when it goes on.

DugB · « **Reply #2 on:** December 26, 2009, 08:18:52 pm »

Hey all,

I tried the latest high clamp XT derailleur and it didn't work on my 856...the cage or linkage seemed to contact the swingarm at the driveside pivot.
I'd highly recommend borrowing the derailleur you want before buying it. I ended up having to go back and use a high-clamp XTR M953 derailleur because of the smaller profile for the cage & pivot.

It might also depend on the size of the big ring you're running. I was trying to mount a Cook Brothers crank running a 110 BCD 46 tooth big ring. If you're mounting a compact crank then you might not have an issue due to the smaller big ring.

Hope this helps!

- Doug

sammydog · « **Reply #3 on:** December 26, 2009, 08:56:17 pm »

My XTR mech is coming off a bike I am stripping for parts, so if it doesn't work I haven't lost anything. The outcome should help WD though. I'm expecting my swingarm back in the first week of January and the build starts straight after that, so it won't be too long till I know if my mech works.

I'm riding tomorrow, so I will grab the model number.

Worst case scenario of me, I go back to my original mech from 1995.

WD Pro · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2009, 12:45:44 pm »

Thanks for the input so far

Interesting about fouling near the swing arm pivot - perhaps explains why my swing arm seems to have had a small mod in that area - kind of had a chamfer put on it ?

Will post up a picture when I get a min

WD

DugB · « **Reply #5 on:** December 29, 2009, 01:14:00 pm »

Yes, I know what you're talking about on the 856 swingarm "knuckle"...I have an earlier "Factory test" frame & swingarm that isn'
t "clearanced", and several later swingarms that are. I don't believe the small amount of clearancing is enough to fit some of the latest XT and XTR front derailleurs, though. Sadly I no longer have the latest XT top clamp FD, as I returned it to the store when it wouldn't fit.

- Doug

sammydog · « **Reply #6 on:** December 29, 2009, 01:24:30 pm »

I'll have to go and check my swingarms out for that.

WD Pro · « **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2010, 05:09:51 am »

So this chamfer / mod / bodge was from the factory and not done by a previous owner ? :

Cheers,

WD

sammydog · « **Reply #8 on:** January 14, 2010, 12:29:44 pm »

If I ever get my swingarm back from having the brake tab added I will check mine for you. It is a new swingarm from 96.

My two silver swingarms don't have it, but I have a feelling the one being modded does.

DugB · « **Reply #9 on:** January 14, 2010, 12:41:43 pm »

My early 856 swingarm (from a "Factory test" bike) does not have, but all the later 856 frames ("World Cup Design") have it...it's a factory-added chamfer, as far as I can tell.

- Doug

orange · « **Reply #10 on:** January 16, 2010, 06:36:57 am »

my 855 has it

Spokes · « **Reply #11 on:** January 25, 2010, 02:10:52 pm »

Yep my 856 'Wold Cup Design' has it also.

sammydog · « **Reply #12 on:** January 26, 2010, 11:06:25 pm »

Just checked, its not on any of my three swingarms, 955, 855 or 856.

Spokes · « **Reply #13 on:** January 27, 2010, 11:24:38 am »

As I understand, it is only on the revised x56 frames. The x55 and early x56 were prone to cracking so they strenghened them on the later ones.

Chris

jazclrint · « **Reply #14 on:** February 13, 2010, 09:11:07 pm »

Why not a SRAM FD?

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Author Topic: 856 Front Mech Choice (Read 4489 times)