Shimano Ultegra FD-6503-B/F

Price Paid:  $0.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Kopanec Pass ascent

Bike Setup:
stock Trek 5200

Summary:
The deraileur came with Trek 5200, and proved to be a disaster. It took lots of force to upshift (going from the big ring to the small one), and this was what almost ruined the whole bike. Ocassionally, when upshifting, the chain fell off but I was able to put it back. It was annoying - last September, doing a hilly race, this happened at the foot of a climb when I was at the front of the bunch. As you can imagine, the entire bunch disappeared behind the next turn, leaving me cursing and subsequently chasing back.
This Spring, trying to upshift for the first time this season, the chain fell off but the strong push of the deraileur somehow forced the chain between the largest cog of the cassette and the spokes. The rear wheel got blocked, causing me to skid. Fortunatly, I was able to stop safely. The result? Here is the list: the rear wheel ruined, the rear deraileur and the chain finished, the CF frame maimed. I was lucky that I escaped unharmed. If it happened at a higher speed I may have not been able to control the bike.
The FD was properly adjusted, the problem was in its design. I was told that Dura Ace has the same problem.
I am swithing to Campy. My other bike has Campy shifting, and in three years, I have not had a single problem with the chain.

Strengths:
none

Weaknesses:
deadly

Similar Products Used:
Campy Record

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Favorite Ride:
North Branch Trail

Bike Setup:
Raliegh R300 frame and fork w/Ultegra Triple cranks and front derailluer, XT cassette (11-32) and rear derailluer, Dura-Ace Bar-Cons, Dia-Compe 87V levers, LX V-Brakes, XT 36 hole hubs laced with DT spokes to Sun CR18 rims, Michelin rubber, Topeak Rack-Mule front and rear racks, ITM Superitalia Pro 260 handlebar, Terry Liberator saddle, stock Raliegh stem and seat post, and Tange 1" threaded headset.

Summary:
The Ultegra 6503 Triple front derailluer does exactly what it's supposed to do, that is, shift from one chainwheel to the other smoothly, quietly and with precision. What more can I say.

Strengths:
Smooth shifting and typical Shimano higher end build quality.

Weaknesses:
None that I've found so far.

Similar Products Used:
SunTour Superbe Pro, Shimano XT, LX, and Alivio.

Favorite Ride:
Page Mill

Bike Setup:
Trek 5200T

Summary:
The derailleur shifts very well, but it takes quite a bit of force to upshift - it's not clear to me that the return spring needs to be that aggressive.

Strengths:
Smooth Shifting

Weaknesses:
The return spring seems stronger than necessary, although it makes for very positive downshifts

Similar Products Used:
Older Ultegra

Favorite Ride:
backroads of the sierra foothills.

Bike Setup:
Mongoose Rx10.9 titanium, ultegra triple, profile brc, ritchey logic headset, ritchey pro stem, 3ttt prima 220 bars, litespeed seatpost and avocet seat, spox wheels and continental Gran Prix 3000 foldable clinchers.

Summary:
Since the dura ace cannot be had in the triple. This is the best front derailleur you can get for a triple set up. I use a big cogset 12-27 because I am old and the hills are steep and I still have had no problems with this derailleur. It shifts smoothly and once you adjust it all you have to do is routine maintence. It should last years.

Strengths:
Shimano quality. silk smooth shifts. The dura ace does not come in the triple configuration.

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
None