I've been using a Suntour Mountech front derailleur with my Richard Sachs tourer, currently with a Campy crankset drilled and tapped for 28, 48, 53, also a low 'Q'. The Mountech is just on the edge of being on topic timeline and had the narrow parallel plates with a really long cage. My freewheel is a 13, 14, 17, 21, 16, 32, a perfect half step setup. The derailleur would handle the 28x21 without the chain hanging up on the bottom of the derailleur cage. A Duopar is on the back. Here's a photo.
It actually worked better with the original TA setup of the same gears (just didn't look as cool!). A version was used on the original Stumpjumpers back in the early '80's (sorta off topic, but they were nicely LUGGED!).
Dan Artley
Parkton, Maryland
>>> "P. Lynn Miller" <lynnmiller@optusnet.com.au> 03/10/2005 6:49:36 PM
>>>
Good day to all,
I am struggling with a Stronglight Model 99 Triple crankset on my "puller" to get a front derailleur that will work. As you know the Model 99 is a "low-Q" crankset with minimal clearance between the crank arm and chainring. So does anyone here have a good recommendation for a front derailleur. The ringset is 52-40-28.
Thank you,
P. Lynn Miller
Sydney, Australia
http://www.chainringtransitauthority.com