First of all please ignore how dirty the bike is.
I've got the Specialized Diverge E5 Base from 2021 equipped with the Claris 2×8 groupset. Since I got the bike the front derailleur needed some extra force to shift to the big chainring or to even trim in the smaller ring. I applied this extra force with my foot to the FD lever arm.
I changed the complete housing and cable but nothing changed (recommended by LBS).
I tried installing the pivot pin in different ways routed the cable again and again in the FD with no improvement.
In my opinion and as written in some posts/forums it is a cable routing issue on the Diverge (cable does a pretty sharp turn around the BB). Due to this the cable losses force and can't actuate the FD.
Shifting with extra force by my foot worked pretty well, but I got annoyed by this workaround and thought of a solution.
The solution was to build a cable guide/stop further away from the FD than the original cable guide in the frame on the BB. This is the silver part.
This also works surprisingly well but it still feels a bit janky, the cable rubs slightly on the FD and the FD moves a bit sideways when shifting (just doesn't feel right).
My groupset is now finally worn down and I'm currently asking myself how I should continue with my FD issue.
If possible I would like to keep the Claris group or most parts of it and just change the worn down parts. But replace my DIY cable routing part with something proper or use the original cable stop hole in the frame.
I'm also open to change the whole group or some parts if you guys tell me that the Claris and Specialized Diverge don't work well together, or what other options I have if it is really a routing issue and will not go away with a different FD.
My current ideas are:
– putting a cable stop clamp on the seat tube beneath the FD to route the cable in another way
\- maybe try this out with zip-ties first (don't know where or how to properly secure them)
– buying another Shimano FD (with same pull ratio, chainline)
– try the Microshift Sword Black with an integrated cable stop (the best solution in my opinion)
but the Sword does have a chainline of 47mm and my current setup about 44mm... Will this be a big issue? I maybe need to change the BB and if I'm doing this I can just buy a new groupset
– buying a new groupset (I somehow still want to have mechanical brakes)
Did any of you face the same problem on their Diverge or with their Claris FD? If so what was your solution
by loeter31
6 Comments
My dawg, nobody on the planet needs to write/read all that. Just take it to a better shop and ask them to get the FD shifting well, close your eyes and wait a week, and when you pick it up it will be fine.
Claris FD is not good anyway so you can just upgrade your bike if need be.
If you are having a problem with not enough force to move your FD when the cable is routed correctly either :-
1, Your shifter is stiff or gummed up.
2, Your cable is karked and needs replacing.
3, Something is wrong with your FD causing it to be much stiffer than it should be.
It’s common knowledge and comes up on here so often it should be a pinned subject that the grease in Shimano shifters dries up over time getting sticky to almost glue. Lubricating shifters with a light non oily spray lube as part of normal weekly checks & maintenance prevents this.
Cables don’t last forever especially if they are the ones that came new on the bike. Switching out to decent quality Teflon lined outers & die drawn stainless inners can transform how things work.
Derailleurs need correct lubrication to work properly, a light non greasy spray lube on the pivots as part of weekly checks & maintenance.
Truth be told most issues other than parts breaking that are posted on this sub are things that a regular check and maintenance regime can prevent. Much easier and cheaper to take care of and maintain a bike than to repair it when things go wrong.
Yup, you’ve done way more than you need to. Take it to the LBS and have the issue diagnosed.
Get SRAM cables (they are thinner), make sure there is no sharp bent of your housings along the route, add some lubricant to the cable before inserting into the housing.
Certain Shimano FDs are just horrible for this. With a properly installed, lubricated quality cable and housing, it will work ok until it gets some dirt contamination. Then it’s force is too high to shift easily and is made worse due to the leverage design.
Your bikes cable routing desight is poor and funnels junk right down the cable and housing making it have high drag.
SRAM 1x’s don’t have that FD problem..
This kind of thing is why there are professional bike mechanics. Stop “fixing factory oversights” on your bike. Something is binding your cable internally, which is super common since the industry decided to bury cables in places they don’t belong. If it’s hard to shift and the derailleur isn’t binding, then the cable is. (Or the shifter’s gone gummy but that’s been covered in this thread already, and from your description the bike is a bit new for that.)