I am running a 52/42/24 front triple and a 11/12/14/16/18/21/26/32 eight speed cassette. I can't use the 24t front when I use the 11 or 12 rear, as the derailleur will not take up the slack. I am not sure what the specifications are for the derailleur, I think it is a long cage XT M739 or perhaps some other M73_ model? I have enough links in the chain so that if I accidentally cross chain and shift onto the big gears (52t front and 32 rear) that it will not jam, as I wanted to make sure that if I did something stupid by accident that I cause no damage.

I try to avoid using the two gears that are most cross chained on each chainring: when on the 52t front avoid the 26 and 32 rear; when on the 42t front avoid the 11 and 32; and when on the 24t front I obviously do not use the two rear gears 11 and 12 when the drive train makes funny noises when the derailleur won't take up enough slack.

My front is a vintage Suntour high normal derailleur, model is Le Tech, but they made several other similar models. Friction front shifter is needed for shifting between the 24 and 42, as this is not a smooth shift.



For some of these component issues, it might be best to just try what you have and see what works. If for example, your front derailleur did not have the clearance, you can measure how much more clearance you need and you have something to judge competing components against. I am a big fan of vintage Sunour front high normal derailleurs and have them on most of my bikes.