Oz front der.

[Dennis]

ok, so I really want to get rid of the Shimano front der on Blue Crush. I do have a SRAM 9.0 front der. that will fit, but I REALLY want to use my Precision Billet front der to have an all PB drivetrain. (front and rear der, shifters).
anyway, the Shimano and SRAM are bottom swing (I think thats what they are called, or maybe they are top swing). anyway, the PB der is the other swing so it needs to be mounted higher on the der. mounting strut. the strut is too short to use the der. with a 44 tooth big ring. so, I thought that if I used a 2 ring setup with 32 or 34 as big ring, then I could use it. alas, strut is not long enough for that either, it needs to be a tad bit longer.
so, I am now thinking that this winter I could lengthen the strut to use the PB der.
what do you dudes think about this? I know there could be clearance issues with the bottom of the swing arm, but when the suspension compresses, the mainframe (with strut attached) moves downward relative to the swingarm so that the swingarm - strut clearance actually increases, right?
am I crazy? I really want to make Blue Crush the epitome of technology (as I see it, anyway). I am planning on ordering the new Hope 4 pot mono discs, Hope said the custom rotors I got to use with the avid mechs I was going to use will work with the 4 pot brakes.or, I am also thinking about the new Avid Juicy 7 hydro brakes. either way, its just an excuse to use Goodridge hoses. they are soooo cool!!
I will keep you posted, could take a while. thanks again for your thoughts. you guys seem to be my voice of reason.
[smiley=groucho.gif]

[Simon]

Worth a try as you say clearance will increase as the sus compresses,is the PB a bottom pull f/der otherwise I think its a no no,what about clearance issues with regards to adjusting the H and L stop screws? its quite awkward with the standard setup,but I still say go for it you know you won't be happy until you've tried it anyway,Hope mono's look superb thought about going for the mono mini instead of the M4, the M4 may be abit over the top unless your keen on D/H plus the mono mini is conciderably lighter,just a thought,yes the goodridge hoses are soooo cool love mine.Simon [smiley=nod.gif]

[Matno]

The weight weenie in me says "Why would you want to add heavy frame material when you don't need to?"

The practical side of me says: "Didn't Precision Billet stop making their front derailleur, thus making future service a bit of a question?"

The Shimano fan in me says: "Why not just get the best? (XTR)"

[tmaybee]

Couldn't have said it better...

[Dennis]

yeah well, I have an XTR front der. on Blue Crush now. its a problem for me, the concept was to have only (or mostly) American-made products on it and no Shimano. I have no Shimano parts on my other bikes (exc. for the Mongoose framed hardtail which is going to get sold).
I have Campy and Mavic drivetrain and brakes on the road bike.
anyway, I have 3 or 4 PB front der, so service or replacement won't be a problem. plus, they are circliped or screwed together so the parts are replaceable, unlike Shimano. If a part gets bent I can always get a machine shop to make a replacement. try that with Shimano!!
as for "heavy frame material", I was thinking of adding a short carbon tube to the top of the der. strut by wrapping some carbon cloth (with epoxy of course) around the strut. won't add much weight at all. besides, I like hanging all kinds of cool stuff on the bike. I'm not much of a weight weenie when it comes to mtbs, but am when it comes to the road bike. I am having wheels built with Zipp rims and titanium spokes for the Calfee which will reduce rotating weight by almost 1.5 lbs and will get the bike's weight (with pedals) down to about 15.2 lbs.
anyway, I am going to try out my idea sometime when the snow is deep in Jan. or Feb.
I'll let you know how it turns out.
[smiley=groucho.gif]

[tmaybee]

You could probably sell those PB derailleurs on ebay for $80-$100 each and get several XTR's.  If you start parting the PB's out you don't have much that is very usefull left or worth much in resale.  And to have parts made in a machine shop?!?   $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I don't know why people hate Shimano.  I have had a lot of success with their stuff.  I pefer gripshift shifters but I have to admit, they dont shift worth a d@!*% compared to rapid fire.  I just perfer the twist action... they are lighter too and I am a bit of a weight weenie.

Trevor

[Scott]

Trevor,  I used XTR lever/shifter combos for a year then went SRAM Plasma at 180 grams with early Avid Ultimates- the ones around 115 grams.  Saved 120 grams over the XTR and the Plasmas are very accurate shifters.  Have you used the newer generation of SRAM?  They feel as good as my XTR which BTW are for sale at $80 and are 8 speed.

[tmaybee]

Hi Scott.  No, I have the old X-rays.... actually 2 sets.  Once they are setup  properly they are fine.  You have to have a solid run of housing and gore cables to make them work satisfactiorily.  the X-rays are about 120 grams.  I am sure the newer generation is better but I will probably wear out the ones I have first.    So you reccommend the Plasmas?  I read they are about 150 grams.  If they are much better, then maybe those will be my replacements.  Will they work with and 8 speed non-rapid rise XTR derailleur?   And that's actually a buddies scale....    [smiley=laughing.gif]

Thanks,
Trevor

[Scott]

Yes the Plasma will work with non RRise XTR-it's what I've had it shiftng for 2 years w/o any problems.  I do run full housing and a sealed up Rollamajig.  Bought a service kit by Finish Line for Gripshifters and serviced them just once so far.  No signs of wear at the time of service and shifting has been very good.  So my Plasmas could be lighter than my P.O. scale showed?  They are also avail. in 9 speed should you try that-the 8 speed Plasma don't show up on eBay too often so keep an eye out!

[tmaybee]

Cool.  I will keep an eye out.  Maybe that weight was without a cable?