compact front deraillers
 

Why is it that campy has a front specific derailler for compact cranks and SRAM and shimano don't.

I found my answers if anyone else was wondering.

Shimano:
"Compact specific chainrings mean that you don't need to worry about compact specific front derailleurs!"

SRAM:
"Front derailleur is standardized for use with both traditional and compact rings..."

how the hell does that work? the chain rings are different sizes, and anyone with half a brain could figure out that the radius of the big and small rings, and therefore the curved shape of each specific derailleur should be different if they follow the chain rings closely, which i presume is what you want in a derailleur....


standardized in the sense of being perfectg for neither applicaiton?

Those are my thoughts exactly. Those are both quotes from the respective manufacturers. I'm interested in the differences in design and why the engineering is dissimilar across the three brands. My motive is in choosing a new group/compact crank.

You can use a standard front der on CT cranks. It does work, but not as well as a der that is designed specifically for this. I have the CT ders on my Campy setup, and they do work quite a bit better than a standard der. Less chain drops, and quicker smoother shifting. I know, I tried a standard der with my wifes Centaur group, and there was a drastic improvement in performance when I finally went with the CT specific design.

I have also ridden a Shimano CT setup with a standard front der, and I really think it would behouve them to come out with a CT specific version (I thought they had by now), as the result is similar to what happens with using the same with Campy. ie, more dropped chains and less smooth shifting.

If you want, you can get the FSA CT front der which is designed work with Campy or Shimano CT cranks. Actually, you could also use a Campy CT der with a Shimano CT crank if you so desired, though it may ruffle a few feathers of those who cringe at the thought off mixing groups.