Top Pull Front Derailleur Cable Routing

Top pull derailers are operated by a cable running down from above.

Top pull front derailleur cable routing.

Home technology components details top swing front derailleur top swing front derailleur because the moving pivot section is set at a higher position and combined with a shorter link the rigidity is higher. Top pull derailleurs refer to the cable being pulled from the top. Traditional front derailers are bottom pull operated by a cable running up from the bottom bracket area to the derailer. The new xt and xtr front derailleurs use something shimano calls side swing which seems to be intended for full sus mtbs.

If your cable routing follows the top tube and then drops down to the front derailleur it s a top pull. This design is mainly used on mountain bikes with the intent of avoiding running the cable under the bottom bracket where it is exposed to spray. Some work either way and are called dual pull. So quick and light shifting is possible.

Bikes with internal cables can be notoriously difficult to service. Here are our latest and greatest hacks for getting the job done. 3 cable pull direction.