Hello and thanks for any help you can offer...
I have just converted my older Paramount to use 47x34 tooth rings ala "modern"
compact cranks (yes, I know the standard is 50x34 but I am getting older all
the time). I was planning to use the older Campy NR FD that came with the bike.
However, I find that the cage extends a bit too far down in the back and it
hits the RD shifter cable. I have tried raising the FD enough to avoid the
cage/cable contact but it then the FD seems too darn high above the chainrings
and I doubt it would shift well.
I then tried all the other FDs I had lying around including a more modern Campy
(C-Record or something of that vintage) and a GPM. Neither seemed to do the
trick. I haven't anything more modern around so I have yet to try a Campy or
Shimano road double of current vintage. But the photos make the length of their
cages seem pretty much the same so I doubt they would make any difference.
Therefore, I now wonder about the new "compact" FDs - mostly the lower-end
Campy one but there are others too (IRD, etc). So my question is: do the cages
on these compact FDs extend down along the chainring curve any less than those
on the standard road double FDs so that they will clear the cable while still
nicely hugging the curve of the chainrings?
I could go with a 48 tooth ring that I have but the difference in ring diameter
compared to the 47 does not make it seem like it would make enough
difference. If this older bike have cable routing under the BB shell, this
would not be an issue.
Cheers!