MTB FD Pulley Question

[johngmartin]

I want to put a bottom-pull front derailleur on my Steelman MTB, which is routed for top-pull. Brent welded on this sideways braze-on to facilitate that (I think?), but I have no idea what pulley system to put on it. All I know of is the Problem Solvers clamp-on one, which I could use if I bypass the braze-on. Anyone know a good pulley to put on it?

http://i.imgur.com/IUuYowkh.jpg

[icepick_trotsky]

Problem solvers will sell you the pulley wheel alone, too.

http://www.niagaracycle.com/categories/problem-solvers-cable-pulley-aluminum-black?gclid=Cj0KEQiAsZayBRCrioKRkYetvc0BEiQAI70-A2Njs6F3Y_RGv05-h20BWa3Fcp1ePy2L4-5IezbGRHEaAryp8P8HAQ

[johngmartin]

Problem solvers will sell you the pulley wheel alone, too.

http://www.niagaracycle.com/categories/problem-solvers-cable-pulley-aluminum-black?gclid=Cj0KEQiAsZayBRCrioKRkYetvc0BEiQAI70-A2Njs6F3Y_RGv05-h20BWa3Fcp1ePy2L4-5IezbGRHEaAryp8P8HAQ

It won't fit because the braze-on is sideways. The pully would hit the seat tube.

[oldpotatoe]

It won't fit because the braze-on is sideways. The pully would hit the seat tube.

Don't think that's for a pulley. A fender maybe or eclamp front Der? but I think maybe a problem solver clamp with pulley may work. Don't think a fender will work also, but tough to say without seeing it.

But I think a top pull Fder may be your best bet.

[johngmartin]

Don't think that's for a pulley. A fender maybe or eclamp front Der? but I think maybe a problem solver clamp with pulley may work. Don't think a fender will work also, but tough to say without seeing it.

But I think a top pull Fder may be your best bet.

hmm, good to know.

[Slow Eddie]

You could try spacing the pulley off the braze-on with Presta valve stem nuts to clear the seat tube..

Enduro also sells a pulley without the cover.


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[Gummee]

I want to put a bottom-pull front derailleur on my Steelman MTB, which is routed for top-pull.

Why?

Adding a pulley increases friction making front shifting less than optimal.

If you're trying to go road-sized rings, check out a CX-70 front derailleur.

M

[Ronsonic]

Isn't that a cable clamp for one of those types where the cable was clamped and it was actually the housing that did the actuation. I think it was a Suntour thing.

[Hindmost]

Whoa, good call!

I have never seen one. So, a top-routed cable and housing would in effect bottom-pull a derailer. Must be from the golden age of MTB innovation.

[johngmartin]

Isn't that a cable clamp for one of those types where the cable was clamped and it was actually the housing that did the actuation. I think it was a Suntour thing.

Woah, you are right!

Small backstory: I bought this Steelman from ebaumann a few years ago, rode it as-is for a season, then stripped it down and left it sitting bare for the past year. Now I am bringing it back to life, and I bought a Shimano XT M737 group to put on it knowing I would have to use the original top-pull front derailleur (since the m737 is a bottom pull FD). But when I went back to the box with the old Suntour group I saved, the FD looked like a standard bottom pull, and since I forgot about the way it was routed, I assumed I had lost the pulley. Now I know!

Not the best photos since I never thought to document it, but you can mostly make out the way it works:

http://i.imgur.com/x8JZVzIh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/1VkJR4Oh.jpg

Thanks!

[oldpotatoe]

Isn't that a cable clamp for one of those types where the cable was clamped and it was actually the housing that did the actuation. I think it was a Suntour thing.

Bing, bing, bing, we have a winner!! Didnt think that Steelman was that old.

[bewheels]

Woah, you are right!

http://i.imgur.com/1VkJR4Oh.jpg



Yeah - you can see the set-up in this photo (which I am sure is why you posted it).

The other thing you can see the old Suntour self actuating canti breaks. I still have a set in the basement looking all cool. May even still have the boxes...

[johngmartin]

Yeah - you can see the set-up in this photo (which I am sure is why you posted it).

The other thing you can see the old Suntour self actuating canti breaks. I still have a set in the basement looking all cool. May even still have the boxes...

Yep, this Steelman had those Suntour cantis too, and I am definitely keeping them on the rebuild. I'll post photos in a few days when it is up and running.

One more cool thing about the Suntour FD setup - looks like I can use any FD if I just take the unscrew the housing stop thing off of the original FD and screw it into where the cable clamp would normally go. Going to try it out on a Shimano XT FD and see how it works.

[johngmartin]

For those of you following at home, Ronsonic is the thread's winner. Swapped over the little housing stop and the Deore XT bottom pull FD is shifting great! Took it out for a spin after taking these photos and had a blast. The Suntour canti's are great too. Thanks for the input as always.

All done:

http://i.imgur.com/jpiMu81h.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/SQmfHeWh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/hxHH4eHh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/skkFZXNh.jpg

[Hindmost]

Nice rig. Still faithful to that period.

[Ronsonic]

Now I'm wondering if I can make, find one such gadget that'll work with the Campy FD on my cross bike. I'm aware of that German gadget, but this might be simpler / cooler.