Front derailleur snapped mid-ride on Route 9, how I limped home

I was climbing that long stretch near Highland Park on Sunday when my front shifter went slack and the cage just folded into the chain. Turns out the pivot bolt had been corroded for months, I never thought to check it on my 2018 Trek. I ended up using a spare zip tie to lock it on the middle ring and rode the last 5 miles in granny gear, which worked but felt awful. Has anyone dealt with seized pivot bolts on older Shimano groupsets, or should I just replace the whole derailleur at this point?

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henryreed13d ago

Man, that zip tie trick is a classic! I dealt with the same frozen pivot bolt on an old 105 groupset and the thing was so seized that PB Blaster and a week of soaking didn't touch it. If yours already folded the cage, the arm is probably bent too, so I'd just replace the whole derailleur instead of messing with the bolt. Check the cable housing while you're in there since a sticky cable can put extra stress on the pivot in the first place. From now on, put a drop of lube on that pivot every few months, it takes ten seconds and saves you a walk home. Granny gear for 5 miles near Highland Park sounds rough, glad you made it back in one piece!

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