Originally Posted by
G_I_B_B_O_N
I have currently have Shimano 600 Ultegra downtube shifters on it. Both sides are being used as friction shifters. I believe these shifters are only compatible with 6-7-8 speed indexing, so I just use them in friction mode (front is friction only). I might eventually switch to bar ends but I'm in no rush. I also have Shimano 105 ST-5510 9-speed road shifters I could use if there was any major reason. I prefer the downtube ones as they're reliable and easy to maintain.
I would be happy to hear any recommendations for a replacement FD. I'm also planning on swapping my granny with a Shimano Deore M532 22t 64mm 9-Speed Chainring. That'll make my gearing 48-36-22t in the front and 11-34 in the back.
Using friction shifters really opens up your options. You are correct that in the indexed mode, the right shifter would only work with whatever number of rear cogs it was designed for (be that 7 or 8, 6 wasn't indexed yet). You could update your DT shifters to the 9 speed Dura Ace version (SL-7700) or barends (SL-BS77) and get the right lever to index your RD; the front left shifter was still friction.
Enough about shifters though. What I am running, and what I think would work well are old style MTB FDs. I have experience with the following using Shimano 9 speed Barend shifters (right indexed and left friction).
FD-M900, downpull FD, XTR level from 1992 – 1995. Designed for 3 x 8. Minimum number of teeth between the middle and large chainring is 8T. Maximum difference in the number of teeth between the small and large chainring is 26T
(this would match what you are planning to do). Was designed for 48/38/28T or 46/36/26 rings. I am using it on a Bruce Gordon (3x9) with 44/36/22 rings. I also used it on a Santana Tandem (3x9) with 54/44/28T rings 28 rings and a Co-motion touring bike (3x9) with 44/36/22 rings. Note that the FD-M901 was top pull.
FD-M735 (XT level) and FD-M650 (LX level) from 1990-1993. Designed for 3 x 7. Minimum number of teeth between the middle and large chainring is 5T (could run in 1/2 step configurations). Maximum difference in the number of teeth between the small and large chainring is 26T
(this would match what you are planning to do). I am using the FD-735 on a Co-motion touring bike (3x9) with 46/38/24 rings, and on a Cannondale (3x9) with 44/34/22 rings. I am using the FD-650 on a "vintage" Trek 520 (originally a 3 x 7 but upgraded over the years to 3x9) with 46/38/24 rings.
The particular thing I like about the above FDs is they lack the large inner plate of the more modern triples. Shimano made this change when they went to more cogs, and got rid of the protruding chain pins that used to help snag the next larger chain ring and lift the chain up onto it. This was also when Shimano started limiting the selection of front chainrings to 2 specific options; the shaping on the inner plate matched the chainrings to help lift the chain. from the small to middle chainrings I find that the older ones shift just fine, maybe not as quick or cleanly as the newer the newer FDs but then I tend to not be stomping on the pedals when shifting the front, and it allows me freedom to pick any combination of chainrings I want.
You can find still these FDs on e-bay. That is where I have picked up all the ones I am using with the exception of the M650, which came original on the Trek. If interested, PM me and I can send you copies of the original Shimano instructions for all these.