Replace front mech

[drewk1]

I have a Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc which is fitted with a Shimano Altus, 34.9mm clamp front
derailleur which I wish to replace.

Can I fit any model/make? i.e Sram X-5 etc

Also any recommendations for a good upgrade?

Cheers

[Henry Hawthorne]

Yes you can fit any make, it will come with a clamp. You may ( although probably not) need to change your shifters, though.

My recommendations: - not Shimano XT.

[Beyond Rational]

drewk1 said:

I have a Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc which is fitted with a Shimano Altus, 34.9mm clamp front
derailleur which I wish to replace.

Can I fit any model/make? i.e Sram X-5 etc

Also any recommendations for a good upgrade?

Cheers

No, the shift ratios are different on certain Sram products.

I'd go for Shimano Deore, I doubt you'd get any real benefit from a more expensive mech with the existing shifters.

ETA: also consider Shimano Hone, currently availible for £12 and almost the same product.

Edited by Beyond Rational on Wednesday 8th April 22:33

[craig_s]

I had the same mech on my Hardrock. Upgraded to Deore and noticed a huge difference. Ran it with the original shifters for about a year and have just upgraded to the Deore shifters and again quite a big difference. It's well worth upgrading the rear one to at least a Deore too if you haven't already as the shifts are much faster and sharper.

[gbbird]

I have x3 MTBs, one with Deore, one with LX and the other with XT kit. The LX is the worst by far, and there is very little difference between the cheap Deore and the expensive XT. I would go for Deore.

g

[pdV6]

Beyond Rational said:

drewk1 said:

I have a Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc which is fitted with a Shimano Altus, 34.9mm clamp front
derailleur which I wish to replace.

Can I fit any model/make? i.e Sram X-5 etc

Also any recommendations for a good upgrade?

Cheers

No, the shift ratios are different on certain Sram products.

I'd go for Shimano Deore, I doubt you'd get any real benefit from a more expensive mech with the existing shifters.

ETA: also consider Shimano Hone, currently availible for £12 and almost the same product.

Edited by Beyond Rational on Wednesday 8th April 22:33

The shift ratios for front mechs are common; it's the rears that differ.

[drewk1]

Cheers for the replies
I'll check out the recommendations

Thanks again

[beanbag]

Henry Hawthorne said:

Yes you can fit any make, it will come with a clamp. You may ( although probably not) need to change your shifters, though.

My recommendations: - not Shimano XT.

Just curious, but why not? I upgraded my LX to an XT front mech and it's superb. I now get lightning fast, silky smooth gear changes (admittedly I also replace my chain rings, chain, cassette and upgraded my LX shifters to XT), but it's magic now. No problems!

[Daimeydum]

i have an x.5 shifter and front mech that are as good as brand new they came on a bike that i broke for parts as soon as i got it out of the shop. i was going to stick them on fleBay but if you're interested. let me know, they are new condition, just no box or any thing.