Your bike's front derailleur is responsible for moving the chain from one chainring to another. When you're pedaling along and need to shift gears, the front derailleur moves the chain onto a different-sized chainring.
A good front bike derailleur provides smooth, precise shifting between gears, while a poor-quality one can make shifting clunky and difficult. That's why it's important to choose a high-quality front bike derailleur when you're upgrading or replacing your old one.
To help you find the best front bike derailleur for your needs, we've created this list of the best ones on the market, with ratings and reviews to give you an idea of what other cyclists think of each option.
10 Best Front Bike Derailleurs | June 2023 (Reviewed & Ranked)
Last updated on June 12, 2023
9 minutes
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The 10 best Front Bike Derailleurs
Top #1
SHIMANO FD-M310 Aultus Front Derailleur (28.6-34.9-mm 3x7/8 Speed Low-Clamp)
89%
Customer
Satisfaction
100%
Overall
Score
90%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
The best features of this product are that it is a mountain double or triple derailleur and it is compatible with top or bottom routing.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
It is easy to install.
The cage is much more precise than tourney, so no chain rub even when crosschaining.
The Altus is a noticeable upgrade from the stock Tourney.
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Top #2
SHIMANO Unisex's FDM313X6 Bike Parts, Other, One Size
88%
Customer
Satisfaction
99%
Overall
Score
88%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
This front derailleur is a great option for riders who want a conventional swing. It has an 8-speed design and can handle up to 42-48t chainrings.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
The derailleur is riveted, so it will need to be broken or replaced.
It is not perfect, but it works well.
The design is better than the Shimano product.
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Top #3
Shimano Front Derailleur FD-A073
89%
Customer
Satisfaction
98%
Overall
Score
88%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
The best features of this product are that it is compatible with a 50T chainring and SG-X chainring compatible.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
It is strong and can reduce the spring resistance.
The derailleur is relatively easy to line up.
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Top #4
SHIMANO Front Mech Sora R3030 9s tpl 28.6/31.8/34.9
88%
Customer
Satisfaction
98%
Overall
Score
90%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
The best features of this product are that it is 9 speed compatible, has a wide pivot link, and aluminium links. These features make the derailleur more rigid and improve shifting response.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
The chain and derailleur are both upgradeable.
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Top #5
ENBO Shimano Tourney Front Derailleur FD-TY500 6/7 Speed Multi-Clamp 31.8/34.9mm
92%
Customer
Satisfaction
97%
Overall
Score
91%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
The dual pull design is a great feature because it allows for compatibility with top or bottom routing. The clamp size is also 31.8mm/34.9mm, which is suitable for 42-34-24T crankset. Lastly, the front index shifting provides optimum performance and maximum safety and longevity.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
It is set up and adjustable.
The Altus is a good replacement for the original Shimano Altus mountain bike.
The Altus has better quality components and is more durable than the original.
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Top #6
Origin8 DER Part OR8 BZ-ON M/F CLMP ADPTR 28.6SL
92%
Customer
Satisfaction
95%
Overall
Score
87%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
Multi-height adjustment allows for a custom fit on different bikes. Alloy construction makes it durable. 34.9mm clamp size is compatible with most front derailleurs.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
The derailleur is adjustable, which is great.
It arrived quickly and in good condition.
It looks great.
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Top #7
Front Bike Derailleurs 3 Speed Clamp On Front Derailleurs Compatible with top or Bottom Routing for Mountain Bike Road Bicycle MTB BMX with Adjust Cla...
86%
Customer
Satisfaction
94%
Overall
Score
89%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
The derailleur is made of high-quality metal material, which is rust-proof, wear-resistant and durable. The chain moves from one sprocket to another, almost without wear. The derailleur is made of high-quality metal material, which is rust-proof, wear-resistant and durable.
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Top #8
CYSKY Wake Bike Front Derailleur 3 Speed Matching 6/7/8/9/10/11 Speed Rear Derailleur for Mountain Road Bike Bicycle (Black)
80%
Customer
Satisfaction
94%
Overall
Score
84%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
This product is designed for mountain bikes and is made of high-quality aluminum alloy. It has a solid chain guide plate and steel mark, and is bright, wear-resistant, rust-proof, and durable.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
It is not perfect, but it does work.
It is easy to install.
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Top #9
SHIMANO FD-5700 105 Front Derailleur 2x10
90%
Customer
Satisfaction
93%
Overall
Score
86%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
The best features of this product are the improved chain guide shape, stiffer inner link design, and dual SIS front indexed shifting.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
It functions perfectly.
The derailleur is reliable and operates smoothly.
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Top #10
SRAM X01 Eagle AXS Rear Derailleur - 12 Speed, Long Cage, 50t Max, Black
84%
Customer
Satisfaction
91%
Overall
Score
89%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
Customizable with the SRAM AXS App. Short cage for 10mm more ground clearance. More chain wrap on the cassette to sit slightly further forward. Further inboard.
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Front Bike Derailleurs Buying Guide : What You Need To Know
*Our top pick for the best Front Bike Derailleurs
Attributes Of High Quality Front Bike Derailleurs
- The derailleur should move the chain smoothly between gears.
- The derailleur cage should be made of strong and lightweight materials such as aluminum or carbon fiber.
- The pulleys on the derailleur should be smooth and properly aligned to avoid premature wear on the drivetrain components.
How To Choose The Best Front Bike Derailleurs
When it comes to choosing the best front bike derailleurs, there are a few things you need to take into account. The first is the type of bike you have. If you have a road bike, then you will need a different type of derailleur than if you have a mountain bike. The second thing to consider is the size of your chainring. The larger the chainring, the more force is required to move the chain from one ring to the other. This means that you will need a stronger derailleur if you have a large chainring. Finally, you need to think about how much money you want to spend on your derailleur. There are many different types and brands available, so you should be able to find one that fits your budget.
Here are some tips on how to choose the best front bike derailleurs:
- Firstly, take into account the type of bike you have. If you have a road bike, then you will need a different type of derailleur than if you have a mountain bike.
- Secondly, consider the size of your chainring. The larger the chainring, the more force is required to move the chain from one ring to another. This means that you will need a stronger derailleur if you have a large chainring.
- Thirdly, think about how much money you want to spend on your derailleur. There are many different types and brands available, so you should be able to find one that fits your budget.
- Fourthly, make sure that the derailleur is compatible with your shifters. Not all shifters are compatible with all derailleurs, so it is important to check before you buy.
- Fifthly, read reviews online before purchasing any products. This can help give you an idea of which products are good quality and which ones are not worth your money.
What To Avoid When Looking For The Best Front Bike Derailleurs
When choosing the best front bike derailleurs, there are several things to avoid in order to make sure you get the best possible option for your bike. First, avoid any derailleurs that are made of plastic. These are not as durable as those made of metal and are more likely to break or become damaged over time. Second, avoid any derailleurs that have a lot of moving parts. The more moving parts there are, the more likely it is that something will go wrong with the derailleur. Third, avoid any derailleurs that are difficult to install. The last thing you want is to spend hours trying to figure out how to install the derailleur only to find out it doesn't work properly. fourth, avoid any derailleurs that don't come with a warranty. A good quality derailleur should come with a warranty so you can be sure it will work properly and last for a long time.