Now to the front derailleur of the Dura Ace R9100. I want the brazed-on style of this derailleur because I want a chain catcher as well. Originally the Allez features no mounting point for the front derailleur so there are two options: first 34,9mm front derailleur clamp-combo or 34,9mm brazed-on clamp. I go for the second option.
These tools are needed:
- Bike Stand
- 2mm Allen
- 5mm Allen
- Torque Wrench
- Anti Seize
- 1 Cent
- 11s Chain-cut
Official Service Manual:
Service/Spare Part:
- Shimano Dura Ace FD-R9100
- I-FDR9100F
- Shimano Dura Ace SM-AD91-L
- I-SMAD91L
- K-Edge Road Braze-on Chain Catcher
- K13-001-BLK
- Custom Titanium Grade5 Bolts and Washers
Post as guidance? No warranty in ANY case of damage!
First as always the weight. 69,9 grams for the oem part. The washer will be dropped as well as the original screw.
The brazed-on clamp is at 24,8 grams in it original state but the screw will be changed. The clamp with the titanium screw saves 1,6 grams ( 23,2 grams in total).
My preferred chain catcher comes from k-edge. Nice slim design and a good integration with brazed-on derailleurs. The delivering weight is 14,1 grams, quite good but with the titanium screw the weight dropped to 11,9 grams (1,2 grams off). Wonderfull.
Now every weight is counted it is time for the assembly of the front derailleur. Because of the brazed-on clamp I also need two washers as spacers to align the chain catcher later. No problem so there will be two black anodized titanium washer for this job. Remember: Anti seize to all titanium threads which are screws to aluminium! Do not finally tighten the derailleur this will be done later, just a little more than hand-tighten.
The final assembly looks gorgeous =)
In the ende, mounting the front derailleur on the bike.
First thing is to align the outer cage of derailleur parallel to the big chain ring . For this the low limit screw/bolt needs to turned. If the cage is parallel to the chainring the distance must be set. It should be around 1-2mm which is the size of a 1 cent coin. If it is still parallel and the height is correct, the clamp can be tightened with 5-7NM.
Now for the alignment of the chain catcher. This is done withe the chain on the smallest chain ring and a gap of 1-2mm. I kept a cut piece of 11s chain (4-6 links) and put it on the small ring. The gap-control is done by 1 cent coin again. To complete the installation torque the derailleur and chain catcher to 5-7NM.
