Front derailleur for 42 28 cranks?

[D H]

I just got some Silver cranks in 42/28.  I've never had this sort of gearing before.  This range seems to sit between road sizing, on one end of the spectrum, and the older, pre-1x mountain bike stuff on the other.

Just wondering what front derailleurs you guys have successfully run on such cranks.  I have tons of old Shimano 7-10 speed road and mountain front derailleurs in the garage.  In my hand right now is an XT double that I can tell would work great, but it's got a huge clamp, and to shim that thing would look, well, ugly. 

Just wondering what works (well) so I easily sift through all the parts I have.

[Nick Payne]

Yes, the Deore XT 2x10 FDs work really well with those sizes of chainring. I reckon they look fine. Here's one on my Appaloosa:

Nick Payne

[Donzaemon]

I use an Ultegra FD-6600 with what used to be the Silver 42-28 and now Sun XCD 40-26.

[Drew Saunders]

Any of your older “road” double FDs should work. I’m using a c. 1990 Campagnolo Croce D’Aune for my 26-42, and, other than being difficult to pronounce, it’s perfect.

On Friday, September 27, 2024 at 8:12:31 AM UTC-7 dinoh...@gmail.com wrote:

[Jonathan Poor]

I use a Suntour Superbe continuous band FD with my Rene Herse 42x28.  Works well.

[Russell Duncan]

I agree with Drew Saunders and Jonathan Poor’s recommendations of using an older front derailleur. My choice would be a late 70s or early 80s Campagnolo Nuovo Record or Campagnolo 980 front derailleur. The Suntour is an excellent choice as well. Also, in my opinion, they’d be more complimentary with the Silver Crankset than a Shimano XT derailleur would be. Your choice though and your dime.

Russell Duncan

Carbon County, WY

[Will Boericke]

I'm shifting 46/26 just fine with a bog standard 10s Dura Ace FD.  Might depend on your bottom bracket drop.

Will

[Feldspar Palimpsest]

I’ve been running a Deore XT on a 38-24 on my Atlantis since 1999. No issues yet. 😉