IRD Sub-C front derailleur - anyone know where they can be had?

[reynoldslugs]

I've got a number of bikes with ultra compact front cranks - - e.g., 24/38 - and could use a few of these.  My initial search suggests they are no longer made - - does anyone know of a source, or possibly have one available for sale?

Thanks for any available information,

Max Beach

Santa Rosa CA

[Garth]

Max, It seems to me that since a Shimano road double, say one for 9-speeds or less per spec., can shift a triple like I have with 24/44/48 rings, I would work just fine with a 24/38 double. I take it that is a triple crank with a chainguard ?  The arc of the cage does not need to match the ring, again based on experience. Think about it, a FD, be it a double or triple, whose cage lets say matches a 48-50t ring, well, it doesn't then match the smaller rings(say 24t and 36t)  does it ? Yet it shifts them just fine. Hmmmm. The whole point is to not hold yourself hostage and assume you must have something that isn't necessary. There's that manufacturers world, then there's the everyday practical world, where  a cyclist just wants to move the chain without needed a special kind of derailleur. That's the beauty of the "manual" bike parts, interchangeability among models/brands..

[Russell Duncan]

A Campagnolo 9-speed front derailleur, Veloce to Chorus would be a good choice. 

Russell Duncan 

Western Massachusetts 

[maxcr]

You could try this (not cheap) https://analogcycles.com/products/campagnolo-centaur-front-derailleur?_pos=1&_psq=Campag&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Max

[Arvi]

Not a direct answer to your question, but Shimano FD-4600 is still available and works well for small doubles

[Nick A.]

Also not a direct answer, but my rec would be for a mid-90s shimano triple FD like the STX. It manages my 26-46 triple with loads of chainstay clearance.