Originally Posted by halfspeed
1) LX/XT level front derailleurs that clamp on a 28.6 seatpost without fugly shims that get in the way of bottle cage mounts. They should also be able to smoothly shift a ten tooth difference between middle and outer chainrings without grinding or filing or replacing with a road component. They should also be normal in every way, no rapid rise, top pull, BB mount or other tech weenie BS. Make them polished alloy while they're at it.
The shims don't interfere with my bottle cage mounts.
My FD shifts just fine with a 22-32-48 setup (FD is a cheap Deore 510). No mods at all.
Originally Posted by halfspeed
2) LX/XT RD Same as FD as far as action and finish.
Nothing wrong with the XT SGS RD. Could be cheaper perhaps...
Originally Posted by halfspeed
3) Off the shelf Cassettes with 12 or 13 tooth small cogs and 34T big cogs in both eight and nine speed.
How about the LX 11-34 cassette? That's what I use.
Originally Posted by halfspeed
4) 110 BCD cranks that come with 24-36-46 chainrings.
That's not a very efficient chainring combo. Gives plenty of overlapping ratios.
Originally Posted by halfspeed
5) Heck maybe even LX/XT barcons that index the FD for the clickaholics.
Only reason would be cost. Otherwise DA barcons work perfectly.
Originally Posted by halfspeed
7) V-brake road levers that are cheaper than the Dia-compe 287V.
Agreed!!! Better still - a road brake lever with variable pull! Use it for anything you like!