Trek Shifter problems

nivekvb
nivekvb Posts: 6
in Workshop
Trek fx4 Sport 2017, flat handlebar, Rim brake. Shimano: Sl-4600 shifters, rear derailleur RD-350-10 (now discontinued). Rear cassette 11T - 34T, front Chainring 34T - 46T.

It has shifting problems: clicks occasionally and changes up on its own sometimes, but won't always change up on first go, so I might need to press the shifter lever twice. I've set it up correctly numerous times, changed to cable system to Optislick, then changed the Sl-4600 shifters to new ones. Derailleur hanger is fine.

I bought the bike with this set up, but the Rd-350-10 Derailleur seems to be a short cage type. This was Trek's spec. The 34T is great for the hills around here.

I need a new derailleur, but Shimano don't make one anymore for my set up. Any suggestions?

It seems I will need to buy the Tiagra 4700 shifters and the 4700 derailleur SG medium cage.

Trek were unable to advise.

I like doing my own repairs to learn about bikes.

Comments

  • arlowood
    arlowood Posts: 2,561
    After reading around on other forums it would seem that there are one or two options for you to consider rather than having to buy a whole new Tiagra 4700 set up.

    Firstly a 105 5701GS rear derailleur is claimed to work with the SL4600 shifters

    https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/shimano-105-rear-derailleur-10-speed-rd-5701-gs-black-37455

    Someone also mentioned that you could use a MTB Deore M951 rear derailleur which is said to be compatible with 10 speed road cable pull (except 4700 of course)
  • nivekvb
    nivekvb Posts: 6
    Thanks, I'll check them out!
  • nivekvb
    nivekvb Posts: 6
    The first one went to a max of 32T, and the second one was okay with 34T, but was a 9 speed. Mine's a 10 speed system with a 34T bottom gear. I need that 42T for the hills around here.

    Is a shame Shimano don't have a contact address in the UK.
  • tourdriving
    tourdriving Posts: 228
    Shimano Uk
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    URL: www.madison.co.uk
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  • nivekvb
    nivekvb Posts: 6
    Thanks, tourdriving, they will be able to advise me.
  • arlowood
    arlowood Posts: 2,561
    nivekvb said:

    The first one went to a max of 32T, and the second one was okay with 34T, but was a 9 speed. Mine's a 10 speed system with a 34T bottom gear. I need that 42T for the hills around here.

    Is a shame Shimano don't have a contact address in the UK.

    Don't be too hung up on the max capacity quoted by Shimano for the 5701GS RD. I'm sure with some relevant tweaking of the B-screw it would accommodate a 34T sprocket.

    FYI my suggestion for the above and the Deore rear mech came from this thread

    https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/shimano-4600-shifters-with-which-rear-derailleur.251665/

    If you read through to the last post you will see the guy there stating that although the Deore M951 is ostensibly a 9-speed derailleur, it will also work with 10-speed road shifters.

    My thinking is that derailleurs are in effect agnostic and will do what the shifters dictate. So as long as the cable pull is the same and matches with the geometry of the derailleur parallelogram, then it would be feasible for the Deore to work over 10 cogs.

    Anyway, I'm sure a more learned head will be along soon to confirm or refute this theory
  • lesfirth
    lesfirth Posts: 1,382
    It can be a bit frame dependant but I have used a 5701 rear mech with a 34T rear cog. Note the 5701 ,a 5700 will not do.
    However your best solution is any shimano 9 speed mountain bike rear mech.
  • david37
    david37 Posts: 1,313
    The great knowledge you seek is here https://productinfo.shimano.com/#/ Now go forth and wield your allen keys with great responsibility.

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