Front mech

[pdV6]

The original XT front mech on my Trek Y bike seems to have given up the ghost.
As far as I can tell, either the return spring has lost its power and/or the pivots are partially seized.

The symptom is that it no longer springs inwards from large to small chainrings. The (relatively new) cable is fine and runs freely; clicking down through the gears generates lots of slack but the mech doesn't move to take it up.

I've cleaned it to within an inch of its life and left it soaking in GT85 but can't entirely rule out the idea of road grit clogging up the pivots where I can't get at them for even more thorough cleaning.

With the cable slack (or removed altogether) I can just about move the mech by hand, so the question is:
new mech or lots more cleaning?

[WildCards]

CRC have new XT front mechs for £17. Seems a no brainer to me, particularly as cleaning is for pussy's.

[pdV6]

Slight complication: I like running 8sp. Will the current crop of 9sp XT mechs still cope with the wider 8sp chains?

[WildCards]

pdV6 said:

Slight complication: I like running 8sp. Will the current crop of 9sp XT mechs still cope with the wider 8sp chains?

All of the 2008 XT front mechs appear to be 'optimised for 9 speed compatibility' - I'd hazard a guess that means they'll do both tbh.

[pdV6]

WildCards said:

All of the 2008 XT front mechs appear to be 'optimised for 9 speed compatibility' - I'd hazard a guess that means they'll do both tbh.

...Or it could mean "they'll just barely work with 8sp chains"

Mind you, at that sort of price I might as well try it rather than worry too much.

[neil_bolton]

Pete,

I'm sure I've got something in the garage if you want to throw it on - I've a few left over from the Commencal projects, and would probably fit fine?

Neil

[pdV6]

neil_bolton said:

Pete,

I'm sure I've got something in the garage if you want to throw it on - I've a few left over from the Commencal projects, and would probably fit fine?

Neil

Worth a shot Neil. Top swing, top pull, 34.9mm?

[neil_bolton]

pdV6 said:

neil_bolton said:

Pete,

I'm sure I've got something in the garage if you want to throw it on - I've a few left over from the Commencal projects, and would probably fit fine?

Neil

Worth a shot Neil. Top swing, top pull, 34.9mm?

When do you need it?

I'm in p'boghorror today and tommorrow but will be able to pop it round Weds?

[pdV6]

neil_bolton said:

pdV6 said:

neil_bolton said:

Pete,

I'm sure I've got something in the garage if you want to throw it on - I've a few left over from the Commencal projects, and would probably fit fine?

Neil

Worth a shot Neil. Top swing, top pull, 34.9mm?

When do you need it?

I'm in p'boghorror today and tommorrow but will be able to pop it round Weds?

Well, before the next time we hit the trails.
Ball's in your court...

I was thinking that might be this Thursday, but that's SW curry night now!

[neil_bolton]

pdV6 said:

neil_bolton said:

pdV6 said:

neil_bolton said:

Pete,

I'm sure I've got something in the garage if you want to throw it on - I've a few left over from the Commencal projects, and would probably fit fine?

Neil

Worth a shot Neil. Top swing, top pull, 34.9mm?

When do you need it?

I'm in p'boghorror today and tommorrow but will be able to pop it round Weds?

Well, before the next time we hit the trails.
Ball's in your court...

I was thinking that might be this Thursday, but that's SW curry night now!

Roger Wilco

[pdV6]

[mat205125]

WildCards said:

CRC have new XT front mechs for £17. Seems a no brainer to me, particularly as cleaning is for pussy's.

F@#k wasting time with an old bit of kit that will never be 100% again when high spec bit of kit like the XT unit is less than a couple of beers and a chinese takeaway.

[pdV6]

pdV6 said:

WildCards said:

All of the 2008 XT front mechs appear to be 'optimised for 9 speed compatibility' - I'd hazard a guess that means they'll do both tbh.

...Or it could mean "they'll just barely work with 8sp chains"

Mind you, at that sort of price I might as well try it rather than worry too much.

Well, Neil's spare mech is on and seems to be okay.

There's definitely less clearance than with an old 8sp mech and so there's a bit of rubbing when the chainline isn't fairly straight.

Worked fine on a couple of laps of the block so we'll just have to wait and see how well it copes with mud etc. on the trails.