Front derailleur query

[burroc]

Just servicing a Specialised road bike to help out a friend who has had it in her garage for a few years. She mentioned that the front gears do not work ........ and they don't. The reason is quite simple - a small piece of metal has sheared off the front derailleur meaning that the spring is not engaged. Can;'t see that it can be mended so it needs replacing. It is a "Shimano Sora" used with 30-42-50 front chain rings. A replacement Sora is less than £20 - but all the ones I can find are for 9 speed whereas this is an 8 speed bike. Is there an easy way of determining if which alternative derailleur would be suitable for for this set-up? I am OK doing the basics but my knowledge of parts is somewhat lacking!
Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom.

[rjb]

Coincidentally I just serviced a similar bike for my daughter. 8 speed Specialised Women Specific bike. Its fitted with a Sora front mech and a triple chainset. I observed a large clearance between the outer ring and the cage of the mech. I lowered the mech to try and improve the front changing. Big mistake as the shape of the cage caused the chain to jam between cage and chainring. I had to raise it back up to ensure smooth changing. Perhaps the mech was designed to shift a bigger gap between middle and top of possibly 39/53. Sorry this dosent answer your query but may help with adjustment.
My advice would be to take the model details from your mech and try and find an exact replacement.

[De Sisti]

Just servicing a Specialised road bike to help out a friend who has had it in her garage for a few years. She mentioned that the front gears do not work ........ and they don't. The reason is quite simple - a small piece of metal has sheared off the front derailleur meaning that the spring is not engaged. Can;'t see that it can be mended so it needs replacing. It is a "Shimano Sora" used with 30-42-50 front chain rings. A replacement Sora is less than £20 - but all the ones I can find are for 9 speed whereas this is an 8 speed bike. Is there an easy way of determining if which alternative derailleur would be suitable for for this set-up? I am OK doing the basics but my knowledge of parts is somewhat lacking!
Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom.

Pictures would help. But surely, the lever just moves the front derailleur across three front chainrings, so it shouldn't make a difference whether it is an eight-speed or nine-speed.
The number of sprockets on the cassette shouldn't make a difference.

[cycleruk]

all the ones I can find are for 9 speed whereas this is an 8 speed bike. Is there an easy way of determining if which alternative derailleur would be suitable for for this set-up? .

Pictures would help. But surely, the lever just moves the front derailleur across three front chainrings, so it shouldn't make a difference whether it is an eight-speed or nine-speed.
The number of sprockets on the cassette shouldn't make a difference.

Indirectly the number of sprockets does make a difference relative to the chain width.
8 sprockets = 8 speed chain.
Sorry I can't answer the question if a 9 speed FD is compatible with an 8 speed triple width.
What is obvious is that the external width of the chains is different :-
Shimano HG 8 speed = 7.4mm wide.
Shimano HG 9 speed = 6.6mm wide.
So an 8 speed chain inside a 9 speed front derailleur is very likely to cause chain rub in the derailleur at the cassette sprocket extremes.
You could always use an alternative FD such as Claris.
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/derailleurs ... d/?speed=8
Make sure it is suitable for the chain ring diameters and either braze-on or clamp-on mount.
Do not use an MTB version with Road changers as the cable pull is different.

[drossall]

I agree with cycleruk - I think I'd just buy that Claris from SJS.

[Eyebrox]

Check the compatibility chart - match up the right FD 3 x 9 with the crankset.

https://productinfo.shimano.com/#/com

[cycleruk]

Check the compatibility chart - match up the right FD 3 x 9 with the crankset.
https://productinfo.shimano.com/#/com

Not sure I'm understanding but the OP needs a 3x8 to match the current requirement.
Sora groupset has now gone 9 speed and has been replaced by Claris which is now the 8 speed groupset.

[burroc]

Excellent! Thanks very much for those who took the time and trouble to provide helpful advice. It sounds like Claris would be exactly what I need.

[CathM]

By coincidence the same thing happened last week to the Sora FD 3304 front derailleur of my summer everyday bike - the little tab which held the spring in place broke. While searching for a replacement I came across this thread from 2018:

viewtopic.php?t=125826

Brucey wrote: "Finally if the 'pip' that restrains one end of the return spring has broken off, it is usually possible to repair the mech. Just drill an angled 2mm dia hole and fit (using epoxy resin or Loctite) a short length of 14g spoke in the hole. Then hook the spring behind that. I have repaired several similar mechs in this way." There are photos on the thread from another poster who had used the method with some success.

This afternoon I tried to do the same but too much metal had broken off to leave enough to drill into, which was a pity, but I'd nothing to lose by trying. Now I'm just waiting for the FD of my winter workhorse to go the same way!

[rjb]

Thanks for bringing this up. Looks like a type fault with this mech and repairable with a spot of shedgineering.