Fed up with RED front shifting. What now?

Back by popular demand, the general all-things Road forum!

Moderator: robbosmans

Imaking20
Posts: 2260
Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2011 5:19 am

by Imaking20

In the time I've had my new RED equipped Felt F3 I've been less than impressed with the front shifting - or lack thereof. The bike will almost never pick up the big ring on the trainer (which hasn't been a deal breaker since its rarely used there) and has given me trouble a couple times on the road. Well Sunday, in a race, I shifted to my small front ring (or tried) to setup for a climb and the chain bound up in the process. I should point out this shift was not made under force - I gave myself a last little "oomph" before the hill to buy some momentum for an unloaded shift and I still got bit.

I know the front mech is the thorn in the side of RED, should I just swap for a force or YAW front mech or should I also be looking at rings?


...or maybe I should just stick with big ring climbing :twisted:


Thanks fellas.

Imaking20
Posts: 2260
Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2011 5:19 am

by Imaking20

I should clarify - when I say "new red equipped felt" I mean the Felt is new - not the new Gen RED.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



Murphs
Posts: 1117
Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:04 am
Location: Gold Coast, QLD, Australia

by Murphs

Whilst I never had a problem with my Red FD, I switched to a Rival FD (identical to Force) and the shifting is quicker under load.

mimason
Posts: 654
Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:43 pm
Location: Florida

by mimason

Without the need to go to the yaw FD simply get a Shimano DA FD or a SRAM Force. I went with Force from RED as well as replacing the RED rings with Praxis rings and shifting is superb.

User avatar
cameltoe
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2011 5:11 am

by cameltoe

I have had the same issues and have since put on the new Red Yaw FD and it is infinitely better.

Ozrider
Posts: 1018
Joined: Sat Nov 20, 2010 6:06 am
Location: Perth, Western Australia

by Ozrider

I first changed to Praxis chainrings which made a decent difference in front shifting, then after a few niggles I changed to a Force front derailleur.
Shifting is now on a par with my Dura Ace 7800 equipped bike, which in my opinion sets a benchmark for smooth shifting, only Di2 shifts bettr than 7800 in my experience, 7900 was a step backwards in shift quality, which prompted me to try SRAM.
Ozrider - Western Australia
Parlee Z5 XL (6055g/13.32lbs) Trek Madone 5.9 (7052-7500g)Jonesman Columbus Spirit (8680g)
Chase your dreams - it's only impossible until it's done

Imaking20
Posts: 2260
Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2011 5:19 am

by Imaking20

Murphs wrote:Whilst I never had a problem with my Red FD, I switched to a Rival FD (identical to Force) and the shifting is quicker under load.

cameltoe wrote:I have had the same issues and have since put on the new Red Yaw FD and it is infinitely better.

Thank you :beerchug:
mimason wrote:Without the need to go to the yaw FD simply get a Shimano DA FD or a SRAM Force. I went with Force from RED as well as replacing the RED rings with Praxis rings and shifting is superb.

Ozrider wrote:I first changed to Praxis chainrings which made a decent difference in front shifting, then after a few niggles I changed to a Force front derailleur.
Shifting is now on a par with my Dura Ace 7800 equipped bike, which in my opinion sets a benchmark for smooth shifting, only Di2 shifts bettr than 7800 in my experience, 7900 was a step backwards in shift quality, which prompted me to try SRAM.


I've been thinking about Praxis quite a bit but I really like my current 52/36 gearing and as far as I can tell that's not an option :( (correct me if I'm wrong though)

adriano wrote:learn to set it up right.


There's always one..

Go ride your bike - feel better ;)

roca rule
Posts: 672
Joined: Sun Sep 28, 2008 2:23 am
Location: so. cal.

by roca rule

@ imaking
According to praxis they are coming. I an waiting for those as well.

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

jtsoderman
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Mar 03, 2011 9:32 pm

by jtsoderman

I just picked up a New Red (yaw) FD and the difference is night and day. My previous set up was Red Brifters, Force FD and SRAM s975 quarq with the red rings. I kept all the other components the same, just switched out the FD. The yaw FD made a huge difference, it's kinda a pain to set up but the shifting is flawless once you've got it dialed in right. :thumbup:

User avatar
martinSL
Shop Owner
Posts: 129
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:28 am
Location: North Bend, WA

by martinSL

I too will be getting the new Red front d. in my new setup but I have never had troubles with the old Red front shifting. I have it setup with FSA SL-K crank and while it's not the quickest and smoothest it works well; I even was able to set it up to completely eliminate rubbing when cross chained.
----------------------------------------------
Racing and Training Cycling Tires
www.tiremaniacs.com

Wcl4
Posts: 193
Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2012 4:33 am

by Wcl4

jtsoderman wrote:I just picked up a New Red (yaw) FD and the difference is night and day. My previous set up was Red Brifters, Force FD and SRAM s975 quarq with the red rings. I kept all the other components the same, just switched out the FD. The yaw FD made a huge difference, it's kinda a pain to set up but the shifting is flawless once you've got it dialed in right. :thumbup:


Is the new yaw FD compatible with the last generation front shifter lever? I read in an article that the throw difference makes the previous generation shifter incompatible. Not true?

Wcl4
Posts: 193
Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2012 4:33 am

by Wcl4

jtsoderman wrote:I just picked up a New Red (yaw) FD and the difference is night and day. My previous set up was Red Brifters, Force FD and SRAM s975 quarq with the red rings. I kept all the other components the same, just switched out the FD. The yaw FD made a huge difference, it's kinda a pain to set up but the shifting is flawless once you've got it dialed in right. :thumbup:


Is the new yaw FD compatible with the last generation front shifter lever? I read in an article that the throw difference makes the previous generation shifter incompatible. Not true?

sungod
Posts: 1702
Joined: Fri Dec 24, 2010 9:37 pm

by sungod

fyi old/new red mixtures tested here...

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/03/ ... ity_209270" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

motorthings
Posts: 344
Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:56 pm

by motorthings

new yaw FD works fine with old shifters and crank (much better than the old fd). if you replace the shifters, then you need to replace the crank (or vice versa), but the RD, FD, and cassette work fine independently.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



Wcl4
Posts: 193
Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2012 4:33 am

by Wcl4

Must have read that in a magazine review where they were told that by SRAM. I have a Look 695 with SRAM on there and Praxis rings. The shifting has never been great up front - will this new FD be better even though I'm running the Praxis rings? Thanks in advance.

Post Reply