More bike fiddling. In a draft post I never published back in January, I noted the front gear mechanism was getting stiff, despite recent cable changes, and it got to the point that lubricating it would ease the problem for a short time, but it always returned. Time for a new mechanism.

Things got complicated. Top swing, conventional swing, different diameter clamps, no clamps, and a range of speeds it’s intended to be used with- not just the 3 chainwheels, but for 7,8,9 or 10 rear sprockets- and the elusive combination of not too cheap, not too expensive, 8 sprockets, 3 chainwheels (biggest 48 tooth), Shimano SIS and top swing (to clear a water-bottle cage bolt) seemed impossible, but after advice from BrownhillsBob and someone else I now owe another pint to, and a bit of web searching, it seemed that the FD-M770, though technically for 9 speed, should be fine, contradicting one shop, and so it proved to be (though I should have known that- the general font of all knowledge bike wise on the web says so): the cage is a little narrower, but the 8-speed chain clears it if set up correctly (which I managed second time, the first test ride had it shifting OK, but rattling slightly in high gears), and gear changes are now fast and easy. The build is better too, so I’m hoping this will stand up to the towpath a bit better- as can be seen, without full mudgards it is right in the line of all the mud.