Front derailleur conundrum mount for Felt Six Team frame

[open roader]

I'm building up a lovely NOS Felt Six Team hardtail MTB for my partner.

So far I have had 100% success transferring all of my (insanely under utilised) contacts and running gear from my 2010 Giant XTC2 to the new frame. Thus far the build has only cost the price of the NOS frameset which I thought was cheap at $275........

However, I've come across a stumbling block - a complete new mystery to me, me being someone who is clearly very green regarding MTB drivetrain system componentry.

This new frame has a very heavily tapering seat tube / BB union section - way too thick and too tapered for any size derailleur band to mount effectively onto. I've seen these exact Felt Six Team frames built up in the flesh with triple ring cranks before so I know for sure they have front derailleurs fitted to them.

Then I (finally) noticed that the chain catcher is built into the frame and attached via a pair of flat head bolts (see pic below) I went to the Shimano website and discovered there appears to be a front derailleur designed to be mounted to the frame with what looks like this double bolt hole set up.

Now for the conundrum. I have transferred my 3 x 9 speed SLX/Deore level drivetrain to this frame. The crankset is a 22t/32t/44t set up - my problem is that I can only find these twin bolt affairs that accept up to a 42t as a maximum ring size.

My questions :-

1) Would a 44t ring really be that incompatible with these twin bolt derailleurs?
2) Are any these twin bolt mount derailleur options compatible with 9 speed?

I'm happy enough to fork out to replace the front derailleur but before I do any experience & wisdom would be gratefully accepted before I discover I know even less than nothing..........

[mikgit]

might also only be 2 speed at the front?

[open roader]

Looks like everything available is 10 speed (both 2x and 3x versions......) I might be pushing a loaded barrow with a flat tyre up a cliff face by attempting to match up my old 9 speed stuff with a 2012 model frame...?

[Duck!]

Those bolts are in the wrong place for an E2 (as it's called)-mount derailleur. I suspect you want a regular high-clamp, aka down-swing derailleur.

Although there are slight differences in cage curvature to suit different big rings, 8. 9, 10 and 11-sp. MTB front derailleurs are all interchangeable as far as shifter compatibility. Cage size differs markedly between 2x & 3x, so pick the right one on that front.

[open roader]

I'm very much out of my depth here.

8. 9, 10 and 11-sp. MTB front derailleurs are all interchangeable as far as shifter compatibility

So I can look for any Shimano 9/10/11sp unit that gives me sufficient drop from the clamp to the ring?

[open roader]

This is what I have to play with. The band on this f/d is as low as I can place it for a flush mount before the tube tapers outwards.

Is a high clamp f/d going to cut it?

[Duck!]

Yes, a high-clamp aka bottom swing will work.

Some of Shimano's newer series include what they describe as a "side-swing" design on all four mount options (low clamp, high clamp, E2 low direct mount and D-type high direct mount) in addition to the top-swing and bottom-swing versions. Avoid these versions unless you want to get creative with the cable routing, as they use a front-entry design that requires the cable routed along the down tube.

[open roader]

Ok Duck, many thanks. I appreciate your input again.

I have purchased these cheap fixes - both 66-69 and 63-66 degree versions to cover all bases via Morya Bicycles.............finger crossed...........

Shimano FD-M371 Altus Hi-Clamp Front Derailleur 66-69 degree
Economical front derailleur for 9-speed drivetrains with triple cranksets. This derailleur is designed for chainstay to seat tube angles around 66 to 69 degrees.
Fits seat tube diameters 28.6mm, 31.8mm & 34.9mm. Top or bottom cable pull.

[Duck!]

That'll cover it. The 66-69-degree version is the one to use.

[open roader]

Cheers Duck! The high clamp does the job nicely!