Originally Posted by
andyfloyd
I run a Deore DX 46T on my Univega with a STX FD that was designed for 42T. It does work but probably only because I run DX thumbies and the friction on the FD makes it easy to keep the FD in the "sweet spot". You could maybe get away with a 46-48T if you run a DX, or early 90's XT FD since those large rings were 46T....before Shimano went to standard 42T.
That's true, the early XT and DX were not considered compact drive like the later XT and LX were that ran a 42 or 44 tooth big ring. The early XT and DX cages would be slightly more generous and move a 46 and possibly a 48 tooth but forget about moving a 52 tooth road crank without a road specific front derailleur. Good catch
andyfloyd!