AFAIK ...
[INDENT]The R-443 front derailleur is considered a ROAD front derailleur designed for "Road" bikes which were equipped with FLAT handlebars ...
[INDENT]I do NOT know if it is interchangeable with ANY other Shimano front derailleur (e.g., an 8-speed 105 front derailleur) ...
Shimano MTB & Shimano Road front derailleurs have never been considered to be interchangeable.[/INDENT]
I believe your new shifters are MTB shifters ...
Consequently, that is the source of the incompatibility ..
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MANY, but not all, Shimano MTB front derailleurs are now suitable for either top-or-bottom pull applications ...
You will either need to pony up the $20+ for a new, SHIMANO ACERA-or-better 8-speed front derailleur OR spend more than 5x as much to change the bike to one with DROP handlebars + appropriate shifters ...
[INDENT]In the past, the difference between a plebeian Acera front derailleur and an XT front derailleur of the same vintage was the CLAMP ... the former hand a stamped steel clamp, and the XT had a "polished" alloy clamp ... the actual cage was essentially the same.
BTW. Be sure that whichever Shimano MTB front derailleur you choose that it has the correct/same-as-your-old clamp size.
[INDENT]It is IMPORTANT to match the shifters, chain, and front derailleur designation when assembling a Shimano indexed drivetrain.
Most Shimano REAR derailleur are interchangeable ...
[INDENT]With Shimano Road rear derailleurs suitable for Cassettes whose largest cog is 30t-or-smaller ...
And, most of Shimano MTB rear derailleurs being usable with Shimano's full range of Cassettes where the largest Cog is 36t-or-smaller ... [/INDENT][/INDENT]
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