When our T2000 was new in 2005 it came equipped with an ultegra 9 speed drivetrain using Shimano 53/42/30 rings and an ultegra FD. I installed a jump stop and backed out the low limit screw on the FD, and life was good: crisp shifts up or down through all 3 rings.

The last time we wore out the middle ring, I had to choose between a Shimano 39T or some other brand 42T as a replacement. I decided to stick with Shimano. Shifting was still "okay" but FD adjustment was definitely more finicky, and we would sometimes get some grinding on the middle to big ring shift. I replaced the ultegra FD with a Dura Ace made for that combo in triple from that era, which was an improvement. But one day we were accelerating to catch up with friends and we still ground the 39-53 shift until we backed off the power.

One day with too much time on my hands I decided to splurge on the Wickwerks 53/39/30 triple which they occasionally have available. The good news: wow, the 39-53 shift is immediate every time. Same with the 30-39 up shift. The bad news: we couldn't downshift from the middle to the granny unless we spun faster and then backed off the power. It seems like the ramps on the Wickwerks middle just wouldn't let go of the chain. Also, although a smaller issue, when riding in the middle ring, the chain would grind against the ramps of the big ring when the RD is in the smallest 3 cogs.

I've now replaced the Wickwerks 39T middle with the Shimano 39T and now it seems like I have probably the best of all worlds. I can once again drop into the granny while under moderate power, and both up shifts are still immediate and flawless. No need to coddle FD shifts or for extra communication with the stoker. I still rub the Wickwerks big ring with the chain when in the smallest 3 cogs, but that's a combo I don't need to use if I'm aware of what's happening.

I'm still not a fan of the 53-39 transition; although it always works quickly, I often double shift with the RD as the jump feels too big. Now that I've ended up with a brand mixture anyway, I might try a 42T middle from TA or FSA and see if I can retain the shifting perfection we currently enjoy. The other experiment I might consider is moving to a 28T granny.