|
|
ASK RBA: ASK RC: FRONT DERAILLEUR SPRING TENSION
Richard Cunningham
March 21, 2010
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Why do front derailleur springs have to be so extremely strong? Would the shifting not work correctly if the spring was say maybe half the tension, that thing could take a finger off!
– Jerry
Chain tension can easily reach 1,000 pounds, so the front derailleur must have a strong spring in order to coax the chain off the big ring when the rider is pushing on the pedals. Shimano faced the same problem with its electric Di2 – the front derailleur motor had to be far more powerful than the rear in order to shift with conviction. The rear derailleur shifts on the slack side of the chain, so its job is far easier.
Contact Richard Cunningham for questions or comments, or just to talk bikes at: askRC@roadbikeaction.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|