Originally Posted by
G_I_B_B_O_N
If it turns out a better idea to just swap cranksets, I'm open to suggestions. In that case I'd be looking for something durable but economical. I would be open to a double in the front as well but the range would have to be similar to the 44-32-22 setup.
I can't speak for durability yet...I've maybe just got 150 miles on mine, but I'm quite satisfied with my Alivio FC-T4060. It's a 44-32-22 9-speed triple. External bearing BB.
My front derailleur (probably about the same age as yours...it's M5-something...2006 era) is at the very limit of its travel when in the big ring. It took 2 or 3 tries to get it dialed in, but now that I have, it shifts sooooo much better than the stock OEM (non-Shimano) crankset, no matter how many times I tried to dial it in.