Tiagra V Ultegra Compact

curlyrobert

I have a Ribble with Ultegra throughout, Now thinking of switching to Compact as the hills are getting harder!

I have been looking at the R700 which is about £100, however I have just seen a tiagra is only £35 which is a massive difference.

Is there really a big difference for £55? could their be an issue on the compatibility? or is the difference based on durability, weight and vanity?

fast as fupp

the tiagra is supposed to be 9 speed but it works with 10- the finish is excellent HOWEVER the cranks are not hollowtech 2 so its a bit (not much) heavier and the chainrings on the R700 are dura ace quality and will last a lot longer than the tiagra

curlyrobert

Thanks Fast as Fupp,

I have seen the Tiagra 4550 is Hollowtech II Compact Chainset for 2008, but still 9 speed.

So I am assuming that the main difference is a little bit of weight and durability that is it? if it is 10 speed compatible why does Shimano not advertise the fact?

lastly I need reassurance that the performance using a 9spd chainring on 10 spd system will not be compromised?!

redddraggon

curlyrobert wrote:

if it is 10 speed compatible why does Shimano not advertise the fact?

Because 9 speed is different to 10 speed. Mostly 9 speed components are incompatible with 10 speed components, but the difference between a 9 speed and 10 speed chainset is very small so you don't experience any performance short falls.

kmahony

Take a look at the Ultegra SL Compact. I think it's much nicer than the R700.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... 20Chainset

I picked one up on ebay a while back for 90quid (without BB cups)

curlyrobert

The SL6650 is nice but at £104 it is still £60 more than the Tiagra and black when the rest of Ultegra is silver...

gkerr4

the tiagra hollowtechII chainset is a lovely piece of kit and very good value for money.

unless you can't live with the tiagra badge then I'd say go for it and save your money!

Mettan

Agreed ^^^^^^^ - I had the Tiagra 4550 HT2 fitted a few months ago - been a solid, reliable performer - no trouble fromt it at all - would reccommend - good price aswell.

craigenty

I'll let you know how I get on.

I just ordered a 9 speed Tiagra compact (£35) for my training bike to replace a 10 speed 105 53-39 chainset.

When I first started enquiring about this anomaly like you have, 3 bike shops told me it wouldn't work at all and told me to buy the other version for 55 quid :roll:

Winston Smith

I'm thinking of going the other way, I have all Tiagra standard groupset, but want to change to compact and was thinking of upgrading to Ultegra (why spend £40 when you can spend £100). From reading this thread am I right in thinking I shouldn't have any problems with that? Do they not use two different widths of chain?

John C.

Just a thought, will you need a different front mech for a compact ?

Slow Downcp

John C. wrote:

Just a thought, will you need a different front mech for a compact ?

I didn't when I recently swapped two bikes to compact (although Campag, not Shimano). All I had to do was take a link out of the chain - seems to work okay.

craigenty

Here goes. The 500 mile test!

9 speed tiagra compact 34-50 chainset working perfectly on a 10 speed 105 set up with a normal 105 front mech - what a surprise :roll: