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About to buy my first front mech and not sure. Does it matter what "type" I get? What's the difference?
Two things about front mechs, where the clamp is, and where the cable arrives from. Conventional means clamp is higher than the cage. Like this
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Top swing has the pivot above the clamp, like this:
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Some frames can use either, but usually you want to find out what it's designed for, or replace like for like. My FS bike has pivoting gubbins down where the clamp would be if I used top swing, but on my hardtail I'd not get a bottle cage on if I chose conventional. Dual pull means the cable can arrive from either direction and saves Shimano et al making even more types.
conventional also weigh more
If you can go with conventional, they seem to last longer in my experience.
Agree with the above. Get what fits, but if you have the option, conventional seem to last longer/shift better when old.
Cool. Thanks for the info. Any ideas if Commencal 666 will have to be top swing as the mech mounts on that extra bar?
Top swing for the 666, bottom pull. On the full build it comes with a SRAM x9, but you could use a Shimano if you like, front mechs are compatible, rears aren't. You'll need to measure or look up the diameter of that mounting stub so you get a mech with the right size clamp, lots but not all come as a 34.9 clamp with shims for the 31.8 and 28.6 sizes.
midlifecrashes you are a god. Nearly just blew £40 on a conventional and thought I best just check first.
Cheers