S3 direct mount front derailleur installation

[erichwic]

Anyone have any definitive info on how to install the S3 XX direct mount front derailleur on the 2011 S-Works Epic 29er frame? I have it mounted but want to make sure I have it correct before I put any signficant shifting force on it. Specialized doesn't have ANY info on the issue and I just want to make sure I get it correct. I was able to speak with tech support and they were unable to answer all of my questions. Thanks for the help.

[S-Worker]

I dont see the problem with this FD. What are your questions which the Speci Support couldn`t answer?

[24hrsordie]

Anyone have any definitive info on how to install the S3 XX direct mount front derailleur on the 2011 S-Works Epic 29er frame? I have it mounted but want to make sure I have it correct before I put any signficant shifting force on it. Specialized doesn't have ANY info on the issue and I just want to make sure I get it correct. I was able to speak with tech support and they were unable to answer all of my questions. Thanks for the help.

it is installed correctly

[GTR2ebike]

Isn't the only way to mount it to bolt it on to the mount? Hence direct mount.

[erichwic]

I dont see the problem with this FD. What are your questions which the Speci Support couldn`t answer?

Well, the frame came with 2 little bags of bolts and washers, along with a FD mounting bracket. When I contacted Specialized support they asked for pics....I sent them what I had. They told me I had the wrong bracket and needed a new parts kit. The bracket the sent was the same and the part kit was totally different. So, I'm just making sure I have the right stuff. Just amazed that Specialized didn't provide explicit instructions on what washers and bolts are needed and where.

[Swami Scott]

I can only find older info:

http://cdn.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/...SRAM_XX_FD.pdf

[erichwic]

I can only find older info:

http://cdn.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/...SRAM_XX_FD.pdf

Yeah, I've seen that. But it doesn't provide adequate information. You would think a $4500 frame would come with some decent manuals.

[norty_mtb]

Can someone who got a complete bike take and post a picture?
I'm still waiting for the xx S3's to come back in stock at qbp.

[williford]

Another question for those who have their Epic 29ers already. Can you please measure the axle to crown distance? It is from the bottom of the headtube to the center of the front axle. Thanks a bunch.

[GTR2ebike]

Look in the s-works impressions thread. Their is a better diagram on page 6 I believe( if it's not page 6 look at pages 4-7 I know it's in that thread)

[GTR2ebike]

My New S-work Epic impressions

[oldDNA]

Okay heres how it's done,
All 2011 S-Works Epic framsets come with the adaptor taped to the frame and only one of the the three bolts fastened. One the the left.
The frames also come with a little baggy of zip ties, 1 gold jagwire ferrule, 1 cable squeegee, 2 small bolts at different lengths, and 1 very small and specific spacer.

when looking straight at a sram S3 derailleur put the shorter bolt through the hole to the left and the longer one in the right. Then, you'll have the two bolts sticking through the correct holes. Next, slide the spacer over the threads of the longer bolt sticking out the back of the derailleur. Now, your set to put the derailleur up to the frame and thread those bolts on the adaptor and tighten. Those bolts will pass through the adaptor and tighten to the frame.

[ids]

has anyone run an XCX to their Epic, or in my case Enduro? It's the same mounting system, and I unfortunately don't have the correct bolt lengths, so I am going to grab another from Ace tomorrow to mount my XCX to the S3 mount on the frame. The only thing that doesn't equate in my head is why the e.thirteen mount is stepped as well, when the shimano derailleurs for S3 all come with spacers to mount in this fashion. It makes for an inconvenient set up, and an added set of spacers for me to mount it.

[Snfoilhat]

According to the Spec website, every model of Epic was assembled with the "Shimano DMD type adapter" S3 (two mounting holes 22.1mm apart, http://www.sram.com/_media/techdocs/...ifications.pdf. And maybe this is for convenience since every Epic owner gets the adapter, why not mount it instead of putting it in a baggie?), but SRAM makes its S1 derailleurs with exactly the mounting hole distance (42.7mm) that the Epic rear triangle has without an adapter http://cdn.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/...SRAM_XX_FD.pdf. I am wondering why this hasn't come up in the thread, and if someone could clarify please? I don't know if the x0, x9, ... lines are (or were late last year when 2011 bikes were being built up) available w/ S1 spacing, but the XX definitely is.
Thanks, hope this helps (someone other than my curiosity).

[skiwi]

According to the Spec website, every model of Epic was assembled with the "Shimano DMD type adapter" S3 (two mounting holes 22.1mm apart, http://www.sram.com/_media/techdocs/...ifications.pdf. And maybe this is for convenience since every Epic owner gets the adapter, why not mount it instead of putting it in a baggie?), but SRAM makes its S1 derailleurs with exactly the mounting hole distance (42.7mm) that the Epic rear triangle has without an adapter http://cdn.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/...SRAM_XX_FD.pdf. I am wondering why this hasn't come up in the thread, and if someone could clarify please? I don't know if the x0, x9, ... lines are (or were late last year when 2011 bikes were being built up) available w/ S1 spacing, but the XX definitely is.
Thanks, hope this helps (someone other than my curiosity).

The SRAM FD's also come in S1, S2 & S3-specific fittings. The fitting (and the chainring-specific sizes) are stamped on the back of the FD.

S1 - Easy to recognise, as it is the only one with a 42.7mm gap between the centres of the 2x mounting holes!

S2 - Has a smaller 22.1mm gap between the centres of the 2x mounting holes. These 2x holes are also offset by aprox 5mm, with the front one being set further out (i.e. closer to the derailleur cage). The front mounting hole is almost flush with the inner cage of the derailleur when fully retracted (i.e. as it comes out of the box)

S3 - Also has 22.1mm gap between the centres of the 2x mounting holes. However, these 2x holes are flat, not offset. The inner cage of the derailleur sits a fair way out from the mounting bracket (aprox 16.75mm measured from the inside of the mount bracket to the outside of the INNER cage) when fully retracted (i.e. as it comes out of the box)

[ids]

what's odd is that the mount supplied from spesh has a different front to back spacing between the three holes. The first two(closest to the front) are the 22.1 mm(S3), however the rear gap is narrower by about 1.5-2 mm, thus making the xcx e type that's supposed to fit, not. The spacing is S3, but the offset is S2. so I'm going to just have to do spacers, or drill out a small section of the e-type to get the clearance for the bolt.

[oldDNA]

Yea, I have actually set one up. Run the spacer. The step is there because the S3 mount is still being refined to be used in this manor. I'm sure that soon there will be unstepped direct mounts. Make sure you have the right width spacer.
Some bolts and a single spacer should have come with your enduro.

[oldDNA]

This one is a shimano etype(S3) on a specialized DMD with the Specialized adaptor.

This one is a S1 mounted directly to the frame.

[phlegm]

The SRAM FD's also come in S1, S2 & S3-specific fittings. The fitting (and the chainring-specific sizes) are stamped on the back of the FD.

S1 - Easy to recognise, as it is the only one with a 42.7mm gap between the centres of the 2x mounting holes!

S2 - Has a smaller 22.1mm gap between the centres of the 2x mounting holes. These 2x holes are also offset by aprox 5mm, with the front one being set further out (i.e. closer to the derailleur cage). The front mounting hole is almost flush with the inner cage of the derailleur when fully retracted (i.e. as it comes out of the box)

S3 - Also has 22.1mm gap between the centres of the 2x mounting holes. However, these 2x holes are flat, not offset. The inner cage of the derailleur sits a fair way out from the mounting bracket (aprox 16.75mm measured from the inside of the mount bracket to the outside of the INNER cage) when fully retracted (i.e. as it comes out of the box)

Sorry to awaken an old thread, but I'm struggling with S2/S3 right now, and trying to confirm.

I suspect skiwi may have this reversed, in that S2 has the bolt holes flush, while S3 is the one with the front mount 5mm closer to the drive side.

I'm looking at a 2011 Stumpy carbon frame (26" HT) right now, and the holes are flush. In order to run a Shimano FD (which uses the S3/E2) standard, I'm waiting on an adapter (shim/spacer) from Specailized that effectively moves the front mount by 5mm.

Also, the Shimano docs all visually indicate the front mount as closer to driveside, so assming this also confims that S3/E2 a.k.a. "without backplate" is the one that isn't flush.

Similar notes here:
The Front Derailleur (Un)Standard « Tree Fort Bikes Blog

That said, wanted to doubly confim because even Specialized (Canada) was previously unaware of the mount on my specific frame, and was surprised when they ultimately looked it up in their database. Confusion to say the least.

Cheers, thx.

[Snfoilhat]

If you remove the BB loop from one of Shimano's E2 front derailers, you have a SRAM S3*. Shorter of the two bolt-center to bolt-center distances, and the more forward of the two bolts moved laterally (toward the crank arm) by a few millimeters.

*one extra detail, a Shimano FD will have ovalized holes, SRAM will be round. There are good diagrams of this in your Specialized _____ FSR manual. Crescent-shaped oval filler should be supplied w/ Shimano FD. Thick washer/sleeve to take up the few millimeter offset on that front FD mounting bolt should have come w/ the frame, probably available from Specialized.

Sorry to awaken an old thread, but I'm struggling with S2/S3 right now, and trying to confirm.

I suspect skiwi may have this reversed, in that S2 has the bolt holes flush, while S3 is the one with the front mount 5mm closer to the drive side.

I'm looking at a 2011 Stumpy carbon frame (26" HT) right now, and the holes are flush. In order to run a Shimano FD (which uses the S3/E2) standard, I'm waiting on an adapter (shim/spacer) from Specailized that effectively moves the front mount by 5mm.

Also, the Shimano docs all visually indicate the front mount as closer to driveside, so assming this also confims that S3/E2 a.k.a. "without backplate" is the one that isn't flush.

Similar notes here:
The Front Derailleur (Un)Standard « Tree Fort Bikes Blog

That said, wanted to doubly confim because even Specialized (Canada) was previously unaware of the mount on my specific frame, and was surprised when they ultimately looked it up in their database. Confusion to say the least.

Cheers, thx.

[skiwi]

Sorry to awaken an old thread, but I'm struggling with S2/S3 right now, and trying to confirm.

I suspect skiwi may have this reversed, in that S2 has the bolt holes flush, while S3 is the one with the front mount 5mm closer to the drive side.

I'm looking at a 2011 Stumpy carbon frame (26" HT) right now, and the holes are flush. In order to run a Shimano FD (which uses the S3/E2) standard, I'm waiting on an adapter (shim/spacer) from Specailized that effectively moves the front mount by 5mm.

Also, the Shimano docs all visually indicate the front mount as closer to driveside, so assming this also confims that S3/E2 a.k.a. "without backplate" is the one that isn't flush.

Similar notes here:
The Front Derailleur (Un)Standard « Tree Fort Bikes Blog

That said, wanted to doubly confim because even Specialized (Canada) was previously unaware of the mount on my specific frame, and was surprised when they ultimately looked it up in their database. Confusion to say the least.

Cheers, thx.

The S3 standard is the one you require. The holes on the FD are flat as I noted originally, but there is an adapter required (at least on the EPIC) to allow it to mount to the swingarm.

[Snfoilhat]

This is how it works on a 2011 alloy-framed Epic 29.

[phlegm]

This is how it works on a 2011 alloy-framed Epic 29.

Thanks snfoilhat/skiwi for the updates.

Mine is a hardtail, so the 3-holed adapter doesn't apply. Grew tired of waiting on the adapter in mail, so I bought a 5mm stainless lock nut from Home Depot. It is ~4.9mm deep and fit behind the Shimano derailleur perfectly. (Had to drill out the nut a bit so it would slide on instead of thread.)

Finally out riding!

[RockyRuan]

Hi there,

I have a similar problem.

Customer brought in a 2012 Spez Stumpjumper comp.

Its fitted with a Shimano XT m770 66-69deg FD.

Now my problem is that the FD on the "lowest" setting is still to high. The clearance between the cage and big blade is to much and thus causes problems with the shifting.

Any advise?

[skiwi]

Hi there,

I have a similar problem.

Customer brought in a 2012 Spez Stumpjumper comp.

Its fitted with a Shimano XT m770 66-69deg FD.

Now my problem is that the FD on the "lowest" setting is still to high. The clearance between the cage and big blade is to much and thus causes problems with the shifting.

Any advise?

What chainrings are you running on the bike?