Forget up-swing or down-swing, the Shimano XTR M9020 Front Derailleur is something entirely different. It uses a new design that they call side-swing, and it provides a compact solution for bikes with big wheels and convoluted rear suspension designs. The change to side-swing allowed the mechanism to be packaged farther forward relative to the centerline of the seat tube. This offers 15mm greater clearance - a huge benefit for wider 29" tires and some full suspension designs.
The side-swing design also signals another major factor that differentiates this from older XTR derailleurs. The cable entry is from the front rather than from top or bottom along the seat tube. The front-entry for the cable reduces total cable length and the typical bends in the front derailleur housing. The effect is reduced friction and improved shift quality and feel at the lever.
Like many Shimano derailleurs before it, the XTR M9020 offers multiple mount options. For round seat tubes, the multi-clamp design will allow use on 28.6mm, 31.8mm, and 34.9mm seat tubes, and it can be had with a high- or low-clamp. It's also available for high-direct (D-type) and low-direct (E-type) applications. It will only work with the cable routed from the down tube into the integrated stop on the front of the derailleur body.
This particular M9020 derailleur is designed for use with two chain rings. The top gear capacity is 38 teeth, and it is optimized for the 10-tooth jump on M9000 XTR 11-speed double cranksets. The inner and outer plates are made of aluminum to shave every excess gram, and stainless steel hardware keeps everything looking great over time. Thankfully the limit screws are easily accessible for no-fuss adjustments.
The Shimano XTR M9020 Front Derailleur carries on the tradition of superlative shifting performance for your XTR double crank and offers the added benefit of greater tire clearance for your long travel, big wheeled trail bike.