Bicycle Mechanics - Did Shimano Make a Double-Only Tiagra STI Shifter?

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waffenschmidt
12-31-06, 10:10 AM
I'm contemplating an eBay purchase of a pair of Tiagra STI shifters. Another buyer asked the seller whether the front shifter was double or triple, to which the seller responded "double."

Here's the eBay listing. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290065992353&ssPageName=ADME:B:BOCOR:US:1)

The current Tiagra are double or triple, and for the life of my I don't know why Shimano would make a double-only STI shifter when a triple can easily be used as a double. So does the buyer just not know what he's talking about, or did Shimano really make a double-only Tiagra STI?

Moochers_Dad
12-31-06, 10:35 AM
Tiagra shifters are double and triple compatible and Shimano only made one set/model number (ST-4400). So the person asking the question on the ebay auction didn't know what he/she was talking about and neither does the seller.

Now, there is a newer Tiagra shifter set with built in gear selection markers; but from the photos, those are not the newer model ST-4500 shifters.
waffenschmidt
12-31-06, 11:04 AM
Thanks, Moochers Dad. That's what I figured.

I think the Tiagra with the gear selection markers is the 2007 model. Not sure an indicator that small is going to be of much use for the rear, given that it has to show 9 positions, but I've never seen it. And if I don't know what chain ring I'm in I don't have much business riding a bike ;)

My understanding is that the previous Tiagra models are Flight-Deck compatible while the new ones with the indicators are not. But that "knowledge" came from another eBay listing, so who knows? :rolleyes: