this post was submitted on 15 Jun 2024
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Need help routing the cable on my Shimano Deore XT front derailleur (FD-M739) [SOLVED] (lemmy.ml)
submitted 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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Edit: The way I had it in the photos is correct. Thanks for helping me out, those who chimed in!

Original question:

I replaced the straight handlebars with risers on my mountain bike, and because of the slightly longer distances involved, I have to replace the brake and gear cables with slightly longer ones.

Unfortunately, I did not take a picture of the cable clamp for the front derailleur before I undid it. Now I'm clueless as to how to route the replacement cable - basically the same problem as this poster on RetroBike, except their derailleur is different from mine.

I have super old parts, so I've had a hard time finding documentation online. The best documentation I've found is the following:

In the service instructions, third column, "SIS adjustment" section, three-quarters of the way down, it says:

  • Cut off any unnecessary cable, attach an end cup, and hook it onto the pin.
  • Note: Pass the cable through as shown in the illustration.

What is absolutely throwing me for a loop is the illustration seems to show the cable running from the bottom upward, but... how? Can anyone help me figure out what I'm missing? I feel like a dumb dumb.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Look on the underside of the crank housing. Is there a plastic track for the cable to go around and point up?

Operate the derailleur by hand to see which way it needs to be pulled, cable pills one way, spring pulls other way.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

Look on the underside of the crank housing. Is there a plastic track for the cable to go around and point up?

I'm not sure if I understand your question correctly, but here's what the cable fixing thingie looks like with and without the bolt.

Without the bolt, a vertical track for the cable to run through is visible left of the screw hole:

Operate the derailleur by hand to see which way it needs to be pulled, cable pills one way, spring pulls other way.

When I pull the derailleur to the right by hand, the cable bolt moves upward - this means it's a top pull, yeah?

Does this all mean that just running the cable straight down to the left of the bolt (the way I have it) might actually be the correct configuration?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago

Try the lever with the cable taut.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago

I think you're doing it right. The frame and derailleur both look like they are set up for top-pull cable routing. The manual you referenced is describing a bottom-pull setup, hence the confusion. You should only need to get the cable tension correct.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago

Additional photos: