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Front derailleur sticking, advice on how to remedy please...
Hello,
I'm commuting through back roads each day and am regularly finding that the mud and dirt thrown up from the road is getting into my front derailleur mechanism causing it to jam.
Any tips on the best cleaning and lubricating fluids for this?
Thanks,
Chris
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
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9 comments
As per other posters, keep it clean, also worth doing (if applicable) is to make sure the cable guide under the B/B is clean, a fresh set of cables (both inner and outer) won't hurt either) some bikes can be a real pain with crud under the B/B. or in the cable hole behind the seat tube
mudguards ... the mkii cruds even have an extended bit for the bottom of
the back guard to protect this very item of transmission
Great tips, will have a look for some of those curds especially, thanks!
Soak it in gt85,
Mudguards - long Mudguards
Mudguards.
The salt that has been on the road won't be helping. You really do need to clean your bike regularly through the winter to reduce corrosion.
Having said that, take the wheels out and first wash the whole bike with car shampoo or similar with a cloth and a wheel brush or something to get to those nooks and crannies. Also wash the wheels and tyres, helps see if any loose spokes and bad tyres. Scrub the cranks and pedals. Wash the brakes with a brush too.
Then apply something like Fenwicks bike degreaser to your front and rear derailleur and then apply it with a small paint brush to your chain and work it well in, also do your chainrings. Leave it 5 mins then hose it off.
Dry the bike and let the chain dry completely. many people will advise many different lubes, but on the chain I have now converted to 'Squirt' dry lube.
Apply this to the chain. I never find I need much if any on the derailleur but you can apply a little to the moving parts or use GT40 or something to keep it lubed.
The trouble with lube is it will attract dirt to it which squirt doesn't really do.
If this doesnt free up your front derailleur then see if it springs back fully into place when the cable is disconnected it should not be stiff to return fully back with the spring. If it is still OK but no good when cab;e is connected then you may need a new cable.
Ride fixed and this stops being a problem.
Uh... Maybe you should clean your bike.