Pierre (or others), from an earlier post:
"Note that crankset for D/A is 30/39/53 while Ultegra is 30/42/52. D/A front derailleur won't work with Ultegra crank, and Ultegra front derailleur won't work with D/A crank. I know it, I have tried."

I'm getting an FSA triple with 30/42/53 and have an Ultegra shifter/FD. Will the Ultegra FD work? Should I find a 52 ring? My current shifting with all-Ultegra triple is flawless - something I want to maintain.

Thanks,
TF

I can't imagine that 1T difference will be noticeable, but I think you'll regret getting the 42. The 53/39/30 produces a lower gear in the middle ring, a more uniform gearing progression and less frequent use of the 30.

I can't imagine that 1T difference will be noticeable, but I think you'll regret getting the 42. The 53/39/30 produces a lower gear in the middle ring, a more uniform gearing progression and less frequent use of the 30.
Yeah.I have triples with 42 and 39 middle rings.I like 39 better.

I can't imagine that 1T difference will be noticeable, but I think you'll regret getting the 42. The 53/39/30 produces a lower gear in the middle ring, a more uniform gearing progression and less frequent use of the 30.

I find that I like the 42 better. On really sloppy days when I do use the bike with the triple on fast rides, I find the 42 more useful than the 39 on the other bike. In fact, normally on fast group rides I use a bike with a 39/50 - 12/21 (9-sp) and only use the 39 as a "granny". It's not that I'm that strong, it's just that here in NE Illinois, hills are not much of a problem.

The triple is on my "all-purpose, light touring/faux CX bike". I use it for solo rides, for slower group/social rides and for some off road.

I also do (actually did - we completed our century last Sunday!) a Century Training class starting with a six mile ride in the spring with the goal of a fall century. Brand new riders, MTB bikes, etc. starting at less than 10 mph and working our way up to 16-18 mph rides. Trying to lead by example, I use the granny ring to keep my cadence high even at the slow speeds. Seems to help convince them.

TF

Forgive me this is common knowledge. The D/A derailleur is specifically designed to accomodate the 14T difference of the D/A chainset, while the Ultegra is designed for the 10T diff of the Ultegra set. This info from Peter White Cycles website; I don't have an opinion, just passing it along.

1 / 52 < 2%, 3/39 ~ 8%. I think I've physically tried the 53 and it was working fine.

I agree with the others that 30/39/53 makes a smoother progression, shift from 30 to 39 is surely better than 30 to 42. But still, I like the 42 better. I use the 30 only on long climbs where I shift back in the middle ring only after a few hours when the summit is reached, so it's not a big deal anyway.

Pierre

Forgive me this is common knowledge. The D/A derailleur is specifically designed to accomodate the 14T difference of the D/A chainset, while the Ultegra is designed for the 10T diff of the Ultegra set. This info from Peter White Cycles webite; I don't have an opinion, just passing it along.
Gadzooks!! How the hell am I able to use non DA triple FDs on my triples with a 39 middle and 52 or 53 big? The shimano instructions I have say the triple front should be used with 'at least a 10 tooth difference' between the middle and big, not specifically for a 10 tooth difference.Specs also say a 22 tooth max difference in front,but people routinely us a 26 granny involving a spread of 26 teeth. Alot of shimanos specs and verbage are geared to the combinations of stuff they are marketing at the time. Another example being the max cog spec of the 9 speed road. RDs only being 27 teeth, as well as wrap capacities that are conservative.

I wasn't trying to present it as gospel; just some info that seemed pertinent to the discussion. I'd never heard it before.

Cripes, I using an Ultegra double FD shifting unramped/unpinned 34/50T rings; what could be more out of spec? Works fine, just requires a little old-school technique.

Cripes, I using an Ultegra double FD shifting unramped/unpinned 34/50T rings; what could be more out of spec? Works fine, just requires a little old-school technique.Nothing new there in my book.Try a triple with biopace rings and sti.