Shimano 600 Tricolor Front Derailleur question

[DCilliams]

I was surprised to discover the unusual angle of this Shimano FD and had issues mounting it on my Bianchi (full tricolor 7 speed set up), which causes bad rub when shifting. The angle prevents mounting it in the normal spot on the frame. Am I missing something? Do I need a different front derailleur.

From Velobase:

"FD-6400 was the 7-speed one, it is unusual in that it swings diagonally at a 45 degree angle, same as the RX100 and 105 of the time. FD-6401 swings straight out as normal. It was introduced with the 8-speed group 1992-97."

http://velobase.com/ViewComponent.aspx?ID=AB2EE431-7D05-45A2-89BB-F2C60D5AF8A2&Enum=113&AbsPos=199

[Gummee]

The angle of that derailleur is off so yeah, a new one or massage things to get the angle right are your options

Was there another derailleur on there that worked?

M

[oliver1850]

That's why I don't like braze on tabs. You may have the same problem with other FD models. I've had to file the slot on some frames in order to get the derailleur mounted at the correct angle.

[Black Dog]

The cage looks like it is bent outwards.

[Fivethumbs]

The 7 speed model of the 600 tricolor (6400) derailleur is very dependent upon the shape and location of where the derailleur tab is brazed. I have a Bottecchia with a derailleur tab and I had a 7 speed 600 tricolor derailleur on it. There was very little adjustment room but I was able to use it. It came very close to butting up against the derailleur tab/seat tube. The 6401 model has a different design and is designed to have two different locations to clamp the cable. Because 6401 was offered with STI shifters or downtube shifters there is one cable clamp position for STI and another for downtube shifters. You may want to get a 6401 from ebay.

[oliver1850]

The 7 speed model of the 600 tricolor (6400) derailleur is very dependent upon the shape and location of where the derailleur tab is brazed. I have a Bottecchia with a derailleur tab and I had a 7 speed 600 tricolor derailleur on it. There was very little adjustment room but I was able to use it. It came very close to butting up against the derailleur tab/seat tube. The 6401 model has a different design and is designed to have two different locations to clamp the cable. Because 6401 was offered with STI shifters or downtube shifters there is one cable clamp position for STI and another for downtube shifters. You may want to get a 6401 from ebay.

What I was referring to but better stated. It's about the shape of the tab compared to the shape of the mounting surface of the FD. The surfaces sometimes want to self-align in a position that doesn't line up with the crank. I really don't think it's a 7 speed Shimano specific problem though. I'm thinking I had the same issue with a couple of bikes that were C8 builds.

[David Benson]

Sorry, posted in the wrong thread

[oldpotatoe]

Not uncommon with some brazen tabs and that front der. Way tail out. Loosen a bit and try to push tail in to get cage parallel to chain when in big ring and smallest cog(highest gear)..if no soap, new 8s der.

[marsh]

IIRC the 6400 fd also requires an ungodly amount of cable pull to shift.
I replaced mine with an old Superbe fd, it's the only non-tricolor piece of the drivetrain on my old Schwinn Peloton.

[oldpotatoe]

IIRC the 6400 fd also requires an ungodly amount of cable pull to shift.
I replaced mine with an old Superbe fd, it's the only non-tricolor piece of the drivetrain on my old Schwinn Peloton.

They were also DT shifter only, not for STI.

[zap]

The cage looks like it is bent outwards.

+1. Based on the photos, looks like the front derailleur got hit.

Had the 600 kit back in my crit racing day's. From what I remember it was a good group and never let me down.