Originally Posted by Sixty Fiver

1st generation Cyclone stuff is beautiful...

I am not as picky about front derailleurs as I am rear ones and for several recent builds I have used the Suntour Spirt front d which is actually designed as a derailleur should be as it is a top normal model. These can be had for next to nothing and work incredibly well, the top normal design downshifts beautifully and is logical in that when you pull back you are downshifting.

My touring bike uses a Vx GT group with barcons which is a little tougher than the Cyclone and works marvelously.

The racing bike has a Mk2 Cyclone group... it works beautifully but comes in a pretty plain wrapper.