1

Hi I've bought a foldable bike and am thinking of changing the derailleurs to Shimano, but I could not figure out what type it is.

The link the to the bike is: https://www.forever-bicycle.com/html/show-22-29-1.html

It says MICROSHIFT FD-42F could not find it on Microshift's website .. and googling seemed to only give results to the product pages of the bike itself. Any chance that this might be a customized item?

To further this question:

If this FD is a customized item .. what are the other alternatives I have? Or is advisable to just switch to internal rear hub?

enter image description here

enter image description here

|improve this question
  • 2
    As the owner of a folder, an IGH would be wonderful. The 20" wheel means the derailleur hangs very low, and the whole drivetrain gets a lot dirtier than a larger bike. If you can afford an Alfine or Nexus, then go for it. The 11 speed would be great, 8 speed okay, but I'd avoid the 3 speeds for lack of range. – Criggie♦ Mar 2 '19 at 3:45
  • Microshift started out almost exclusively producing for the OEM rather than retail markets, so its not surprising a part is not listed on their website. – mattnz Mar 2 '19 at 3:45
  • 1
    Based on part number its probably a variation on mail.microshift.com.tw/FD-R42h_city_fd.html but with braze-on rather than band-on fitting. If its working okay, you don't need to change it. – Criggie♦ Mar 2 '19 at 3:47
  • 2
    Why do you want to change the FD? – Daniel R Hicks Mar 2 '19 at 4:01
6

Its called a "braze-on" front derailleur.

The matching opposite format is a "band-on" or "band clamp" and goes around the seat tube.

https://cdnmos-bikeradar.global.ssl.fastly.net/images/news/2015/05/28/1432779227484-1uv5qnvs7opm2-630-354.jpg

Be careful when torquing the single bolt in your braze-on fitting. Too loose and it will move while shifting. Too tight and it will strip the thread and move while shifting.

Separately - the cable is disappearing downward, so it can be described as "Bottom Pull" or "Bottom Normal"

I can only see one other chainring, so this seems to be on a bike with a double chainring.

Answer Its a braze-on bottom-pull front double mech.

If your question is about groupset - look closely for engraved or embossed model numbers. I can't recognise it.

The front derailleur is not a critical part and given its more about brute force than finesse you can get away with a very low groupset front mech perfectly well. Sora and Tiagra will work fine with a 105 or ultegra rest-of-system, with some minor variance based on chainring separation distance.

|improve this answer
  • Thanks a lot. Now I know where to start searching!! :) – Edmund Fong Mar 2 '19 at 7:04

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.