FD-5700 Front Derailleur Compatibility Secrets: What Works, What Fails, and What to Avoid

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The Shimano FD-5700 [paid link] front derailleur, part of the 105 5700 series, was designed for 10-speed road drivetrains and remains a popular choice among riders building or maintaining mid-range setups. While it is reliable and precise when paired correctly, compatibility issues often arise when mixing it with components from other generations or groupsets. Understanding what works and what fails is essential for ensuring smooth, consistent front shifting performance.

Design Overview of the FD-5700 Front Derailleur

The FD-5700 [paid link] is a 10-speed front derailleur specifically engineered for Shimano’s 105 5700 road groupset. It features a wide link construction for stiffness, an optimized cage profile for 10-speed chainrings, and compatibility with both braze-on and clamp-on mounting systems. Shimano designed it with a longer lever arm for lighter shifting and a narrower cage to match the thinner 10-speed chain.

Because of its precise engineering, the FD-5700 [paid link] performs best when paired with its intended drivetrain components. Mixing it with parts outside the 10-speed ecosystem often leads to misalignment, rubbing, or poor shifting.

Chainring Compatibility

The FD-5700 is optimized for Shimano’s 10-speed chainring spacing. It is designed to handle standard double (53/39T) and compact double (50/34T) chainring combinations.

Using it with chainrings designed for 9-speed systems can result in sluggish shifting due to the wider spacing. On the other hand, pairing it with 11-speed chainrings creates clearance issues because the cage width does not match the narrower chain and closer spacing. Riders attempting such setups often experience chain rub even with precise adjustment.

Chain Compatibility

This derailleur must be paired with a 10-speed chain. A 9-speed chain is too wide for the cage, causing rubbing and imprecise shifts. Conversely, an 11-speed chain is too narrow and may slip under load, particularly on the big ring. Keeping the correct chain width ensures both smooth shifting and drivetrain longevity.

Shifter Compatibility

The FD-5700 was engineered to work with Shimano STI shifters designed for 10-speed road systems. It is not compatible with 9-speed shifters due to different cable pull ratios.

When paired with 11-speed shifters, the mismatch in cable pull results in overshifting or incomplete shifts. Riders who attempt this combination often find it impossible to properly set the high and low limit screws without sacrificing one end of the range.

Crankset Compatibility

Shimano designed the FD-5700 to work seamlessly with 10-speed cranksets such as the FC-5700 [paid link] (105), FC-6700 [paid link] (Ultegra), and FC-7900 [paid link] (Dura-Ace). These cranksets share similar chainring profiles and spacing, which ensures smooth upshifts and downshifts.

Mixing with older 9-speed cranksets compromises shifting precision, while newer 11-speed cranksets create alignment issues that cannot be fully corrected through adjustment. Riders should ensure both chainring spacing and tooth profiles are designed for 10-speed use when pairing a crankset with this derailleur.

Bottom Bracket Cable Routing

The FD-5700 supports both traditional bottom-pull routing and dual-pull configurations, depending on the frame design. However, frame cable routing must be considered carefully. Using incompatible cable stops or improper routing angles increases friction, leading to heavy shifting or incomplete cage movement.

Compatibility with Frames and Mounts

This model comes in both braze-on and clamp-on versions. For clamp-on models, correct clamp diameter (28.6mm, 31.8mm, or 34.9mm) is essential. Using a mismatched clamp size with shims often leads to derailleur misalignment under load. Riders should also confirm that their frame’s seat tube angle falls within Shimano’s recommended range (usually 61°–66°), as steep or slack angles cause cage misalignment with the chainrings.

What Works Well

  • Shimano 10-speed road shifters (ST-5700 [paid link], ST-6700 [paid link], ST-7900 [paid link]).
  • Shimano 10-speed cranksets and chainrings.
  • Shimano 10-speed chains.
  • Frames with correct braze-on tab placement or properly sized clamps.
  • Standard and compact double setups within Shimano’s 10-speed ecosystem.

What Fails and Causes Problems

  • Pairing with 11-speed chains or cranksets, leading to cage misalignment and chain rub.
  • Using 9-speed chains or cranksets, causing sluggish shifting.
  • Mixing with non-Shimano chainrings with non-optimized ramps and pins.
  • Pairing with 11-speed shifters, which results in cable pull mismatch.
  • Mounting on frames with extreme seat tube angles outside Shimano’s specified range.

Best Practices to Avoid Compatibility Issues

To ensure the FD-5700 front derailleur performs as intended, riders should always pair it within a complete 10-speed Shimano road system. While some aftermarket components claim cross-compatibility, Shimano’s engineering tolerances are tight, and mixing outside the 10-speed specification often leads to frustration.

When replacing parts, confirm chain width, chainring spacing, and cable pull ratios before installation. Keeping the system within the intended design parameters ensures crisp, reliable front shifting and minimizes wear across the drivetrain.

By respecting its compatibility requirements, the FD-5700 front derailleur can continue delivering the smooth, reliable performance Shimano 105 is known for.