Am I expecting too

much of my front derailleur?
I have been trying to tune the darn thing for a while now. It seems no matter what I do I still get a chain rub - now I know I shouldn't expect it to be perfect when crosschained ( don't worry I don't ride in those gears) but how many should I have to avoid?
It is a compact double 9 speed, the rear derailleur is fine, (Ithink:)
I did down load info from sheldon browns website and went thru all of it but still I am getting a chainrub - esp if I am in the big chain ring - right now it rubs with the 3 largest cogs but otherwise it is ok.
My husband says I am being too picky but the noise is driving my crazy!
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated- or even another opinion of the "pickiness" factor would be good.
Thanks, tam

It should not rub. It seems like it needs adjustment. Take it down to your local bike shop and have them do it. It'll be worth it when you are riding.

Thanks Tulip I will do that again, I was just hoping that it was a simple adjustment that I could do myself- the last time the LBS did it for me ( last summer) it was good for a while but then ( 4-5 months later it starts to rub again- I am not sure if that is due to cable stretching or a gremlin that messes with it when I am not looking:)

Your chain could old and stretched, or your cables could be stretched, or the derailleur could be out of adjustment. It should not make noise; you are not being picky. If you can't figure it out, the bike shop will be able to, and if they are a good bike shop, they'll show you how to fix it so that you can do it next time.

If they do that, be sure to patronize them from time-to-time.

Good luck!

I had a similar problem with a rear derailleur and it turned out the derailleur was actually a little bit bent. I also made the housing piece that goes right there too short. They just bent it back for me, and i switched to longer housing, and that did it.

I know its your front derailleur, but it might be some combination of unforeseen problems like that, I'd take it in. I mean I hate taking things in but sometimes you have to admit defeat and learn from it :o