Front derailleur help please!

[CC Rider]

I'm upgrading my winter hack and was lucky enough to get hold of a Spa Audax
I've recently swapped the triple crankset over (52-42-30) but the front derailleur won't swap as it's a different diameter. The more I look into it, the more I realise I haven't a clue what I'm looking for!
What I need is: 31.8mm clamp on, triple, tooth range 22, big ring 52 tooth, bottom pull - and maybe something else I havn't found out yet! It's currently 6 speed but I wouldn't mind looking at going up to maybe 8/9 if that matters. Also, I think I'll stick with Shimano, would like something mid -range or better (budget allowing) and am probably looking at ebay or similar.
I was looking at Shimano Ultegra FD-6600 but it looks as though it only copes with a 15 tooth difference ...? Sooo, can anyone help identify exactly what I'm looking for please.

PS. I had posted a similar query in the post 2000 section but think I need help with a bit more 'retro'?

 

[SteelNipple]

I think you would need a 39t middle chainring for Shimano and Campagnolo triple fd's to work properly. If you are using friction shifters any triple fd should work. Shimano road fd's have model number ending with "03" so look for fd's with fd-xx03 stamped on the backside of the inner cage, ex. fd-6603, fd-5503 etc... From campy you'd want a derailleur from 90s onwards that reads "triple" on the arm, fd's with "QS" or "CT" look like a triple but will not work with your crankset.

 

[Jesper]

I'm upgrading my winter hack and was lucky enough to get hold of a Spa Audax
I've recently swapped the triple crankset over (52-42-30) but the front derailleur won't swap as it's a different diameter. The more I look into it, the more I realise I haven't a clue what I'm looking for!
What I need is: 31.8mm clamp on, triple, tooth range 22, big ring 52 tooth, bottom pull - and maybe something else I havn't found out yet! It's currently 6 speed but I wouldn't mind looking at going up to maybe 8/9 if that matters. Also, I think I'll stick with Shimano, would like something mid -range or better (budget allowing) and am probably looking at ebay or similar.
I was looking at Shimano Ultegra FD-6600 but it looks as though it only copes with a 15 tooth difference ...? Sooo, can anyone help identify exactly what I'm looking for please.

PS. I had posted a similar query in the post 2000 section but think I need help with a bit more 'retro'?

I use a Shimano 105 (FD-5503) for a triple and it handles at least 20T ring differential. Mine is a 28.6mm clamp, but there is a 31.8mm available (might be a different model #). It works great and looks good (has a cheesy "105" vinyl decal on the plate that is better off removed). Cost is also quite low.

I am not familiar with Shimano touring mechs, but I would assume if you get one with a long cage you will cover your gear range.

What is your rear fork spacing? 125-126mm (most '80s frames) can handle a compact 7 spd; but 8 spd and more need at least 128mm (some late '80s-early '90s frames; most bikes by the mid '90s were 130mm). You might need to "cold set" the rear fork to accept the wider hub since installing a wide hub in a narrow fork can cause hub and frame damage. Spreading the work by hand only 2mm total/1mm per side (fitting 130mm OLD hub into 128mm fork) is generally okay unless drop-outs appear obviously unaligned at which point I would not try that set-up without aligning the drop-outs. I personally do not recommend "cold setting" the rear fork; though it done properly it should theoretically not cause any damage. If you bring a frame to shop to have the rear fork spacing changed ensure that they have experience doing the work beforehand since it entails much more than just bending the stays. The shop needs to have a drop-out alignment tool to check/re-align the d-o's. Ask how they do the job and how they align the d-o's to ensure they have the knowledge and tools required. I have seen a guy literally just grab the stays and bend them out without doing anything to protect the frame's integrity or align it afterwards (that is not "cold setting"!).

 

[Jesper]

Note: setting the FD cage as close as possible to the large ring will help gain some range. I set mine at 1mm above the teeth and make a Campagnolo road FD cover 15T where 11T maximum is spec'd. Campagnolo made a Veloce (and Mirage FD?) that handled a triple.

 

[SteelNipple]

I forgot to mention that on Campy fd's triple is sometimes marked with "T" after the model name. Campy has made many 3x models. Here's some: Mirage T, Mirage 10 speed, Xenon, Centaur, Victory LX / Triomphe LX (first campy 3x fd?), Veloce, Chorus 10 speed, Daytona, Racing T(Record?), Racing Triple(Record?), Record Titanium, Record 10 speed...