Shifters and rear derail. Yes.

Brakes - don't matter for the most part. I currently run 7800 shimano with SRAM Red levers. I also run a 7800 rear lever, a generic aero left lever with a set of Avid (SRAM) Shorty ultimate Calipers for cross and the same lever setup and a set of Avid (SRAM) BB7 mechanical discs on a cross setup as well....with White industries hubs laced to 38mm carbon tubulars....'cause I am like that.

Brakes don't matter is what I am getting at. Stick with road calipers and you should be fine.

The FD....I have run SRAM fd's with Shimano levers and visa-versa. No issues.

As for Shimano front shifting being "better" - that actually has more to do with the shift pins and ramps on the Shimano chainrings than it does the front derail.
In order:

1. Shifters and rear derail
2. Crank/BB
3. FD
4. Brake Calipers