Bought a shimano XT dual pull front derailier, on the basis there are
top pull, bottom pull and dual pull derailiers. Except there aren't. Dual pull doesn't mean it'll work with top or bottom pull. So of course,
it's bottom pull, which is somehow 'conventional' and the bike is top
pull.

Thanks, Shimano, or whoever came up with this wonderful naming scheme.

****.

Err. Hang on. CRC claim what I bought is top or bottom cable routing:

"Dual Pull design for use with top or bottom cable routing."

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=20685

So, err. How?

Cable comes down from the cable stop and attaches directly to the cable bolt.

Conventional refers to the design and has nothing to do with cable direction i.e conventional or top swing are the two Shimano designs. Regardless of which design, most are dual-pull.

Ah. Like this?

It looks wrong, but then this is my first bike with top pull.

There are conventional fitting, the clamp is high on the seat tube and top swing, low fitting clamp. Both types can be dual pull. The cable is routed around the pulley when it is a bottom pull, and directly on to the pinch clamp when a top pull cable.

The cable from the top goes around a sort of 'cam' shape bit and back up to the cable bolt so the cable is in a sort of J shape, so yes it is dual pull, if the cable comes up from the BB it just bolts straight into the cable bolt – does that make sense?

Slice of humble pie anyone?

Ah, thanks everyone, I am englightened (ie, I was stupid).

Cheers. Have a good weekend. I can now go ride my new Stiffee!

Ah. Like this?

Yep.

Now I think you owe Mr Shimano an apology 😉

Like this

Ah, different type mech, but I think the dual pull cable routing is similar?

The tech docs on the shimano website have diagrams showing how to do the cable routing if anyone is confused. I am happily using my bottom pull LX from my Epic on my top-pull framed Scandal.

Kojaklollipop, that's more like what I was expecting! Mine is direct attached, it doesn't curve round the body. It's shifting beautifully, so
happy with that.

Cheers.

Mmm, like this.
Looks worse on a small frame I think but works perfectly.