When matching a front derailleur to a set of chainrings, one needs to know both the double and the triple shift capacity. If the advertised capacity is 18T, you should probably make sure the middle ring is no more than 18T larger than the granny.
The biggest drop I have ever tried with a close-ratio road front derailleur (a Shimano 600, which is probably comparable to the Cyclone II) is 52-48-34, which seems to work fine. I was delighted with my previous setup, 48-45-34 / 13-15-17-19-21-24, with the Shimano 600 in front and a short-cage Cyclone II rear derailleur.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069