important: Nuts and bolts on your bike should always be tightened to the manufacturer's specifications.

How to Install a Front Derailleur

Removal and installation of a standard clamp-on front derailleur.

Today we’ll learn how to replace a standard band-type clamp-on front derailleur. We’ll cover the E-Type bottom bracket mounted derailleurs in a future tutorial.

Tools

For this job you’ll need a 5mm hex key for the derailleur’s mounting bolt, and a phillips(+) screwdriver to adjust the derailleur’s limit screws and remove the derailleur cage bolt. If you are removing the chain you may need a chain tool depending on your type of chain. You’ll also need wire cutters and either a 9 or 10mm metric open end wrench or a 5 or 6mm hex key to remove and install the front shift cable.

Front Derailleur Removal

The first step is to shift your chain onto the smallest front chainring. Then pull off the shift cable’s end cap and loosen the cable pinch bolt. Remove the cable from the derailleur.

Now you’ll need to remove the chain from the derailleur. Some chains have a special connector pin that need replacing if removed, so if you don’t need to remove the chain for cleaning or replacement you can simply undo the derailleur cage’s tail screw and flex the cage open to release the chain. Rest the chain on the bottom bracket shell to keep it out of the way.

If you are removing the chain, disconnect a link and pull the chain through the derailleur cage. Now you can undo the derailleur’s mounting bolt all the way counter clockwise to remove the derailleur from the frame.

Front Derailleur Installation

Before installing the new front derailleur, apply some waterproof grease to the mounting bolt. Then place the clamp around the frame and tighten the mounting bolt just enough to keep it in place. At this point you still need to be able to move it by hand.

Now adjust the derailleur’s height and angle. For height adjustment, the bottom edge of the outside derailleur cage should sit approximately 2mm above the top of the teeth on the largest chainring. For the angle adjustment, rotate the derailleur until the cage is parallel with your chainrings. Then fully tighten the clamp’s mounting bolt.

If your chain is still on the bike, undo the tail screw on the derailleur cage and flex the cage to pull the chain through. Then re-install and tighten the tail screw again. If you have removed the chain, re-route the chain through the derailleur cage and reconnect it. Search the site for tutorials on how to use a chain tool or a quick release chain link.

Front Derailleur Set-up

Now preset the low-limit (L) screw so the small chainring appears halfway between the derailleur cage when viewed from above.

Thread the shift cable back into the derailleur, pull it tight and tighten the anchor bolt so the cable flattens. Then find a bare stretch of cable and give it a good pull to make sure the cable is seated and has no slack. Then loosen the cable, pull it tight again and re-tighten it.

Now you’re ready to adjust the front derailleur as shown in previous tutorials. If necessary, trim the cable so there is about 2 inches remaining. Then slide on a cable end cap and crimp it in place.

Alex Ramon

A bicycle geek since early childhood, spent his twenties as a mechanic in bike shops. His passions include flatland BMX, unicycles, cycle touring, mountain biking and road riding.

Related Tools

Discuss this topic in the Bicycle Repairs and Mechanics Forum

Can someone identify this Bottom Bracket?

Lastest post 21 hours ago

3CC596A4-6393-4508-85E7-500A2A685C06.jpeg (Size: 69.61 KB / Downloads: 5) F04F1DF7-EF56-4B0E-94EA-1D7D3F48BA4C.jpeg (Size: 64.84 KB / Downloads: 6) Can someone identify this type of bottom bracket and a reference to what tools that I will need to remove it? Thank you....

brakes

Lastest post 2 days ago

Fairly dumb question, what are the early signs that disc brakes are wearing out? Are there any obvious visual cues? I don't want to wait until it's metal on metal.....

Road bike brakes upgrades

Lastest post 2 days ago

Hello everyone im looking to upgrade my brakes on a project bike that I'm doing, it currently has traditional lock bolt brake calipers can you upgrade to new style and how to do so? Kris....

HELP! Bought Schwinn bike by mail and came with rear wheel off and derailleur twisted

Lastest post 2 weeks ago

I bought a Schwinn Signature Sport Hybrid 21 Speed by mail (first mistake) and it came with the rear wheel off and derailleur off with the chain twisted with 2 loops. The derailleur is inside out and I have tried everything to untwist this thing with no luck. I can't find a "master link" in the chain anywhere. Any ideas or help would be appreciated. Supposed to be a Christmas present. &n...

Methods to find punctures in an inner tube ?

Lastest post 2 weeks ago

Hello ) I was wondering if any of you also fill up your bathtub or a large bucket with water in order to look for a leak in a flat inner tube? That's how I do it ... other methods our there? Holiday greetings...

Brake pads and metallic pieces

Lastest post 1 month ago

Ciao. Is it normal to have small metallic pieces stuck within brake pads? How do they appear there? Is it from the rims and braking or did I get them from "the street"?...

Bike is Creaking on the left side during the downstroke

Lastest post 1 month ago

As the title states, what feels like my pedal is creaking when Im on the downstroke on my left side. I say my pedal but based on what I have diagnosed so far I’m not sure if that’s it? I can feel the creak happening in my pedal though. I’ve looked into this and done a few preliminary things to see what could possibly be the problem. So far what I have done is: Removed the pedal, regreas...

Deep paint scratch or frame crack?

Lastest post 2 months ago

Hi, everyone! I'd like to ask you about your opinion on whether or not this is just a deep scratch (scuff?) on the paint or a crack on the frame of my aluminium road bike (please see photos below). For context, the area shown on the photos would be the seat tube, right about where it is joined by the seat stays. I already did the "coin soundcheck" test to help me diagnose the problem but I'm still...

Gears slipping

Lastest post 2 months ago

I recently changed the cassette on my MTB and ever since doing so the gears seem to be slipping when I put the power down how do any of you suggest adjusting it it changes perfectly and peddles fine until I really try to lay it down on the trials thanks in advance Alan 👍...

Gravity Bike Crank

Lastest post 2 months ago

Hello Everyone, I have a Gravity road bike and I don't know what type of crank remover will work on my bike? There is an Allen type of bolt that I can take off fairly easily, but inside there looks to be a spline type nut. Lately every revolution of the pedals I can hear a clicking sound and it seems to be coming from inside the crank and I wanted to see if there is any lubricant in there? I ap...

Disk Brake Spacers

Lastest post 2 months ago

Good morning! I purchased a new mountain bike a few weeks ago and picked up a frame adapter so I could put it on my trunk rack. The problem is that the front wheel is really low. A hitch mount is in the future but for now I figured I would just remove the wheel. My question is whether I should pick up a disk spacer or could I just use a chunk of cardboard? Not traveling all that far but don't wan...

Help.. Rear derailleur wrong position?

Lastest post 2 months ago

I've tried searching for YouTube assistance but to no avail. Cycled to the shops this morning and the gears weren't functioning, had a look and something has gone horribly wrong. It's as though the chain is suddenly inches longer than it should be and it isn't holding any tension unless the derailleur sits all the way back (image attached) almost so the chain is touching itself as it travels throu...

Shimano tourney

Lastest post 2 months ago

My Apollo feud rear gear set was trashed when the bike was loaned ,the click on lock on was damaged how can I fix it please so I can be mobile again.thank you...

Removing Front Derailleur on a 3x?

Lastest post 2 months ago

I'm a newbie but I'm planning to remove the front derailleur off of my 3x8 GT Agressor Pro. Could I get some pros and cons of doing this and what I should next if I remove it? Thanks ...

3speed hub problem

Lastest post 2 months ago

hi. i sometimes have a weird grinding sound but this only happens in shift 1 and never in 2 or 3 and most of the time it happens when after a traffic light stop. 1/9 of the time orso. but quickly goes back to the normal sound after i stop pedalling and pedal again. my question is: do you think its a planetairy gear problem inside the hub . i need a cone wrench to open the hub to look tomorow. ...

Post your question in the forum →