Question for Mtn bike guys

[booglebug]

Building a gravel bike for a friend using a Shimano XTR 44-28 crank with 685 hydro shifters and wanting to use a Mtn FD with this build. Same crank as on my gravel bike and only tried road FD’s on my build, the 6800 didn’t work, tried others and settled on a Campy 10 speed that’s not perfect but rideable. Confused with down swing, side swing, low clamp, high clamp, dual pull, all I know about this is I need a 34.9 derailleur , bottom pull that could possibly work with this combo. Would appreciate any help on this.

[Jaybee]

I can’t think of any Shimano Mtn FD that are compatible with mechanical STI.

[dem]

I don't think you can - the pull ratio for a mountain vs. road FD is different. If someone knows of a travel agent that fixes that, I'd be keen to hear it too.

I used that combo (MTB XTR 44/28 on a road frame) by stacking the bottom bracket spacers on the non-drive side, then adjusting the Q by moving my cleats to the inside on one shoe, and outside on the other - that let me use a road front derailleur.

[booglebug]

Thanks for the replies, kinda odd that a Campy 10 FD almost works flawless with this combo, just rubs in 1 combo due to the curve of this derailleur. The pull ratio is a concern but can be controlled by the stops.

[hokoman]

Did you try a CX70 ft. der? I think that would be your best bet as it is designed to work with a 46 big chainring, but works for bigger too.

[Gummee]

Did you try a CX70 ft. der? I think that would be your best bet as it is designed to work with a 46 big chainring, but works for bigger too.

I can verify that the CX70s work with both 10sp and 11sp shifters. ...and comes in bottom AND top pull versions

M

Edited to add: I've used my CX70s on 34/44 rings up to 34/50 rings

[vqdriver]

i'm using an xtr 44/30 with a force22 fd. no problems.

[chunkylover53]

Pull ratios are different for Sram and Shimano. Sram brifters can be used with mtn derailleurs. For Shimano you can use a Tanpan for the rear and a Jtek shiftmate for the front (this is what I use on my gravel bike and it works well)