FDs are pretty basic. They need to be installed correctly #1. For this, refer to Park Tools website. Basically, the outer cage must be parallel with the chainrings and the height of the FD should be 1 to 2 mm above the largest front chainring. Then adjust the hi and low limits as per the Park Tools tips.

From there, explore the cable-related issues outlined above.

Also, are you possibly cross-chaining at any point in this process, like where you go from the middle to the small ring after you have hit flat road? That also might bring into question chain length.