Shimano Road Front Derailleurs

This is Shimano's top-of-the-line, high performance, road racing front derailleur. It is made as both braze-on type or clamp-on type. The clamp size is 28.6mm (1 1/8"), for steel frames. Oversized frames, carbon fibre or aluminum should use the braze-on type. The Dura-Ace front has a 15 tooth capacity and will work with any type of narrow chain. The pivot point between the clamp and the cage on this derailleur are sealed to minimize friction. The tension of the cage return spring is adjustable, which allows you to set the amount of force the changer will use to move the chain back to the small chainring, and how smoothly it will perform. It is STI and SuperGlide compatible. The clamp and link assembly is made of aluminum alloy. The cage is chromed steel, with a folded steel support at the rear of the cage. The bolt fastening the rear cage support is removable, allowing the derailleur to be removed without breaking the chain. The bolts adjusting the throw of the cage are on the top of the mount near the seat tube, for top-down adjustment. Some of the sub-assemblies of the 7410 are bolted together, allowing at least some aspects of the derailleur are serviceable. The 3 gram steel clamp bolt and the braze-on mounting bolt can each be replaced with the 5mm x .8mm by 14mm long SRP Titanium clamp bolt, which weighs 2 grams. The steel cable fastening bolt on both models are the 5mm x .8mm with an 8mm length. The 2.5 gram steel original can be replaced with the shorter, 1 gram, SRP Ti cable bolt with no problem. The 7410 is intended for double chainring cranks. The aluminum parts and the chrome surfaced cage are highly polished. The weight of the braze-on model is 91.5 grams, and the clamp model weighs 96.5 grams.

1 1/8" clamp/band type $ Price in Catalog
Braze-on mount         $ Price in Catalog 

 

The Ultegra is Shimano's high performance, yet modestly priced road racing pantagraph front derailleur. It is made in both, clamp and braze-on styles. The clamp type is made only in 28.6mm (1 1/8") diameter for steel frames. For oversized steel, aluminum, or steel frames with braze-on fittings use the braze-on type. The Ultegra front has 14 tooth "capacity", so the difference in subtracting the large chainring size from the small chainring size cannot exceed 14 teeth, which will work in nearly all road configurations. The clamp (or mounting) section is made of painted, forged aluminum pieces, while the cage (chain guide) is chrome plated steel. The cage has horizontal folds to add structure and rigidity. The tension of the cage return spring is adjustable, which allows you to set the amount of force the changer will use to move the chain back to the small chainring. The throw on the derailleur is adjusted using two screws on the top of the mounting area. A bolt at the rear of the cage fastens the folded support to the inner side of the cage. Removing this bolt permits the complete derailleur to be removed for replacement or service without "breaking" the drive chain. The steel clamp bolt and the braze-on mounting bolt can be replaced with the 5mm x .8mm by 14mm long SRP Titanium clamp bolt. The 2.5 gram steel cable fastening bolt on both models are the 5mm x .8mm with a 8mm length. For weight reduction they can be replaced by the SRP Ti cable bolt weighing just 1 gram. Intended for double chainring cranks, it will work with any 6, 7, or 8 speed rear gear range. The band (clamp) version weighs 104 grams, while the braze-on version weighs 94 grams.

1 1/8" clamp/band type $ Price in Catalog
Braze-on mount         $ Price in Catalog
 

The 105SC is an affordable, pantagraph, high performance front derailleur. It is made in a band (clamp-on) or braze-on model, with a clamp inner diameter of 28.6mm (1 1/8") for steel frames. This changer is Super Glide compatible will work with any index shift system and all narrow chains. It has a 14 tooth capacity. Installation is performed using just a 5mm allen wrench. The mounting and linkage assembly of both the clamp and braze-on models are made of forged aluminum alloy. These aluminum parts are painted a glossy silver color. The adjusting screws are wisely positioned on the outer side of the mount assembly, making them easily available for quick adjustments. The 105SC/8 has a cadmium plated, rigid steel chain guide (cage). Some of the major assemblies (clamp, and pivot arms) are fastened using allen bolts so servicing of component parts is possible should it become necessary. To remove the derailleur without breaking the chain, the cage can be opened by removing a bolt fastening rear of the cage. Sleek, stylish, and functional, the 105SC/8 is intended for double chainring cranks and will accommodate 5, 6, 7, or 8 speed rear gear ranges. The bolts used for cable fastening, clamp and braze-on mounting are identical to those used on the Dura-Ace models. Both the clamp and braze-on mounting bolt can be replaced with the SRP Titanium clamp bolt, and the cable fastening bolt can be replaced with the SRP Ti cable bolt. The band type weighs 104 grams, and the braze-on mounting model weighs 94 grams, (just like the Ultegra models).

1 1/8" clamp/band type $ Price in Catalog
Braze-on mount         $ Price in Catalog 
  

The RX100 is an un-painted version of the 105SC/8. The RX100 has a Silver clear anodized finished on the aluminum clamp pieces while other steel pieces and its assembly or the same as the 105SC/8. We've mentioned that painted surfaces sometimes mask manufacturing defect and cracks while un-painted anodized surfaces show stress and manufacturing defects. The RX100 doesn't have the advertising and sells for a little less.

1 1/8" clamp/band type $ Price in Catalog
Braze-on mount         $ Price in Catalog