There are two main types of front derailleurs: top- and bottom-pull. Both work similarly by moving the chain across various cogs on the cassette, but they’re best-suited for specific drivetrains. Most mountain bikes still come with a standard front derailleur, and if you’re going to stick to one gear ratio, they’re a good option. Shimano’s mountain bike derailleurs are a popular option and feature a single-ring configuration.
Road bikes and bikes with more gears tend to have a front derailleur. There are many front derailleurs to choose from, but the Shimano Sora is one of the most popular options for the money, especially for the variety of bike it’s compatible with. It can handle a compact or standard configuration, and many riders love how durable it is.
To help you find the best front bike derailleur for you, we’ve rounded up the top options on the market.
Our Editor’s Best Front Bike Derailleurs Reviews
- Mountain double or triple
- Dual Pull Design: Compatible with top or bottom routing
- Shimano Reference Number: FD-M310
- 【Model】Front derailleur FD-TY300 Down swing 31.8mm, 3x6/7-speed. Please carefully check whether the front derailleur of your bike is a pull-Down type before buying, if yours is a pull-Up type, it is not applicable.
- 【Compatible tooth ratio】42T, drawing mode: up double pull, installation diameter: 31.8mm.
- 【Double SIS positioning】47.5-50mm chain center line compatible with wide chain design, improve variable speed response, extend service life.
- 【Features】Clamp Band Mount, 3x6/7-speed. Made of high strength aluminum alloy material, strong and durable, lightweight design.Implementing a weight reduction design to make your riding more comfortable.
- 【Principle of speed change】The speed change line pulls the guide chain piece to toggle the chain, so that the chain runs on different tooth pieces of the tooth disk, realizing the tooth ratio of different speeds, making the riding more effortless and faster.
- Material: Made of hard steel, durable and not esaily broken, rust proof, and easy to install.
- Easy to Use:Light operation and smooth shifting, multi clamp band quick assembly.
- Feature: Compact and lightweight, no burdent to your bike,the surface is smooth without burr,convenient to clean and maintain
- Special Design: Features stable front variable speed performance and narrow antiskid plate design.variable speed performance and narrow antiskid plate design.
- Wide use: Suitable for BMX bikes, cruisers, electric bikes, folding bikes, hybrid, mountain bikes, etc. Can reduces the chance of damage to the lower fork after collision and abrasion of chain.
- Fit for 42‑34‑24 teeth three‑piece type crankset, high compatibility bidirectional cable arm, support both up and down trace, Suitable for 6/7/8/9/10/11 or 18/21/24/27/30/33 speed mountain bikes
- Mount Type: Clamp On, 34.9 to 31.8 conversion clip ring, supports 31.8/34.9mm diameter tube, universal for most mountain bike
- Precision machining ensures smooth operation. The chain moves from one sprocket to another, almost without wear
- The derailleur is made of high-quality metal material, which is rust-proof, wear-resistant and durable. Forged aluminum construction lowers weight without sacrificing durability
- Suitable for BMX bikes, cruisers, electric bikes, folding bikes, hybrid, mountain bikes, etc.
- Model: Bicycle front derailleur FD-TY300 DOWN swing, suitable for 3x7 and 3x6 speed system. Please choose the one that suits your bike before buying
- Installation diameter:31.8 mm; Compatible tooth ratio:42T; Drawing mode:up double pull
- Double SIS positioning: 47.5-50 mm chain center line compatible with wide chain design, which can improve variable speed response and extend service life
- Features: Clamp Band Mount; Made of high strength aluminum alloy material,strong and durable,lightweight design
- Principle of speed change: The speed change line pulls the guide chain piece to toggle the chain, so that the chain runs on different tooth pieces of the tooth disk, realizing the tooth ratio of different speeds, making the riding more effortless and faster.
- Model: Front derailleur FD-TY300 Down swing 31.8mm, compatible with DUAL SIS index shifting, is perfect for 3x6/7-speed drivetrains.
- Material: Lightweight in design, made of high-strength aluminum alloy, strong and durable, with smooth variable speed performance. Make your riding more comfortable.
- Features: Double SIS positioning, compatible with a 47.5mm to 50mm chain center line. Clamp Band Mount, 3x6/7-speed, 42T, drawing mode: up double pull, installation diameter:31.8mm.
- Easy Installation: Simple design allows for straightforward installation and adjustment.
- Note: Your satisfaction is of utmost importance to us. We are committed to providing high-quality customer service. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us anytime, and we will provide you with a satisfactory response.
- FD-M310 Altus 8-speed front derailleur
- Top swing
- 42-48T
- 66-69 deg
- 【Great Material 】Made of hard steel, durable and not esaily broken, rust proof, and easy to install.
- 【Special Design】Features stable front variable speed performance and narrow antiskid plate design.variable speed performance and narrow antiskid plate design.
- 【Durable】Can reduces the chance of damage to the lower fork after collision and abrasion of chain.
- 【Easy to Use】Light operation and smooth shifting, multi clamp band quick assembly.
- 【Wide Range of Use】Suitable for BMX bikes, cruisers, electric bikes, folding bikes, hybrid, mountain bikes, etc.
- Compatible with 9-speed Shimano road drivetrains
- Designed for use with 30/42/52t chainrings
- Derailleur Capacity: 22
- Front Derailleur Clamp: Braze-on
- Front Derailleur Cable Pull: Bottom Pull
- Material: [clamp] aluminum, [cage] steel
- Pull Type: Bottom
- Gearing: [top gear teeth] 46 - 53t, [total gear capacity] 16t
- Compatibility: Shimano 11-speed road
- Claimed Weight: [Braze-On] 3.4oz (95g), [Clamp-On] 3.9oz (111g)
Best Front Bike Derailleurs Buying Guide
Before choosing the best front derailleur you should consider following options:
1. Cable Management: Good cable management is essential to prevent a derailleur from jamming. It’s best to have the cable exit the derailleur cage at the top and bottom, so that the cable can be run in a straight line without unnecessary bends.
2. Cage Size: It’s important to get the right cage size for your frame. If the cage is too long, the chain may hit the frame or the frame dropouts. If the cage is too short, you may end up with too much chain on the smaller cogs.
3. Maximum Chainring and Cassette Cogs: You want to make sure there is adequate room for the largest chainring and smallest cog on your cassette. For example, if you have a 53/39 chainring and 11-25 cassette, there should be enough room for the small cog and the largest chainring.
4. Fit: You want the derailleur to fit properly on the bike. The derailleur should be aligned with the chainrings and the cable should be tensioned properly.
5. Looks: With the multitude of options available today, you can be sure to find something that suits your tastes.
What else you should know about front bike derailleurs
1. What is a front bike derailleur?
A front bike derailleur is a device that helps to move the chain from one sprocket to another on the front of the bike. This helps to change gears and make it easier to pedal up hills or ride at higher speeds.
2. How does a front bike derailleur work?
The front bike derailleur works by moving the chain from one chainring to another. It is operated by a lever that is mounted on the handlebars.
3. What are the benefits of using a front bike derailleur?
The main benefit of using a front bike derailleur is that it allows the rider to change gears quickly and easily. This is especially helpful when riding on uneven terrain or up hills. Additionally, a front bike derailleur can help to keep the chain from falling off the bike, which can be a common issue with rear derailleurs.
4. How do I choose the right front bike derailleur for my bike?
The front bike derailleur is chosen by the type of bike you have. If you have a road bike, you will need a road-specific derailleur. If you have a mountain bike, you will need a mountain-specific derailleur.
5. How do I install a front bike derailleur?
Most front bike derailleurs will come with instructions on how to install them. However, in general, you will need to remove the old derailleur, if there is one, and then attach the new derailleur in its place. You may need to readjust the shifters to get the derailleur to work properly.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best front bike derailleurs. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best front bike derailleurs will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.