How to Use the Dura Ace Triple Front Derailleur With the Compact Crank

Shimano's Dura Ace front derailleur and shifter are compatible with both standard triple-chainring cranks and the newer Shimano compact crank which has only two chainrings. Setting up the shifter and derailleur is a relatively simple task, if you have the right tools and little knowledge about how the parts of your bike work together. Get your Dura Ace triple front derailleur set up to work with a new compact crank and never again deal with errant shifting issues because of mismatched parts.

Things You'll Need

  • 5 mm hex wrench
  • Phillips head screwdriver
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Instructions

    • 1

      Loosen the cable stop on the front derailleur to separate the shifter cable from the derailleur cable. Spin the cranks forward a few times to settle the front derailleur and allow the derailleur spring to reset.

    • 2

      Pull the shifter cable taught and shift the front/left shifter down to the lowest setting by clicking the black lever until it stops.

    • 3

      Pull the shifter cable taught between the cable stop bolt and the front derailleur. Tighten the cable stop bolt using a 5 mm hex wrench to secure it in place. The derailleur will now move if you press the shift lever on the shifter.

    • 4

      Spin the cranks of the bike forward and press the upshift lever of the shifter once to shift the chain onto the larger chainring of the compact crank.

    • 5

      Locate the high limit screw on the front derailleur. This is a small screw marked with an "H." Twist the screw clockwise using a Phillips screwdriver until you encounter resistance, then stop. This will keep the derailleur from allowing the shifter to shift to a third ring, which doesn't exist on a compact crank.

    • 6

      Take your bike for a short test ride and shift up and down through the gears a few times. Make certain that pressing the upshift lever a second time won't cause the chain to fall off the crank. If it does, the high limit screw needs to be tightened slightly.