Compatible FD for Tiagra 4403 triple9

fishyweb

I have a Giant SCR2 2008 with 9 speed Tiagra and triple 50/39/30 chainset, and Tiagra shifters. The braze on 4403 FD has just broken, and looks like direct replacements are not available these days.

Can someone recommend a compatible alternative? I read somewhere that the Ultegra 6703 might do the job, but I see that this is for a 10 speed. Does this matter? Will it work? Any other possibilities?

keef66

Any Shimano road triple FD will do. They are such simple things there's little to be gained by going for one from a higher groupset, so I'd just go for whichever you can find the cheapest.

eg Sora for £14.49 http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-sora-3503-triple-9sp-front-mech/rp-prod83479

Tiagra for £15.30 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-tiagra-4603-triple-10-speed-front-derailleur/

105 for £24 http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-105-5703-triple-10sp-front-mech/rp-prod50492

fishyweb

Thanks very much. I had read elsewhere that if mixing front mechs between different series, you have to take into account

• the amount of cable travel per shift is not the same between series (which sounds believable, and would imply that the shifter and mech need to match in this respect),
• and the number of sprockets on the rear (which seems less believable to me, but I'm no expert in these things!).

Do I not need to worry about these things wrt the alternatives suggested above?

My other concern is that I've now had the front mech on this bike fail twice in exactly the same way - the plastic collar that keeps the spring under tension splits and fails. Would a mech from a higher groupset be better made, and not be so liable to fail? I'd be happy to pay a bit extra for 105 or Ultegra if they are copmpatible and more reliable.

keef66

If you stick to Shimano 8/9/10 speed stuff the cable pull for the front mech is not an issue.

Number of rear sprockets is a red herring as far as the front mech is concerned.

(The newer 11 speed 5800 / 6800 front mechs have a much longer arm and hence different cable pull, but they don't do triples so it's academic)

I have an older 105 5603 triple groupset on one bike; 8 years old and the only thing that's failed is the LH shifter (and that might have been my fault setting it up with too much cable tension). Front mech is still fine, so you might be right about durability / materials...

fishyweb

Fab. Thanks very much for all the help. Think I'll go the 105 route.

Thanks again.