Bicycle Mechanics - Upgrading Front Derailleur/Shifters

Hey guys, I have a 2008 Trek 2.1 with Shimano 105's for the rear derailleur and Shimano Tiagra's for the front derailleur. While the performance of the Tiagra component have not been horrible, I have heard that the 105 will perform a lot better. So, I'm thinking about upgrading my front derailleur to a 105. Do you think that it would be worth the money? If so, what are the parts I need to buy to replace it?

Another thing...my shifters are both Tiagra...should I upgrade those as well?

Thanks for all the help, I did a search for my question and couldn't find anything so I'm sorry if this is constantly posted. I just don't know if it is worth the extra money to upgrade these components. Thanks again!

Tiagra is just one step below 105.
I personally wouldn't make the change. Too much $ for a "perceived" upgrade.
Chances are you could "tweak" the current FDER and get better performance too. Little things that really aren't worth the effort like playing with the FDER height in .5MM increments, cage alignment etc.
Then again, you could sell the old FDER and let someone else get a "perceived" upgrade from their Sora:)

Cool man, maybe I'll just hold of on the switch. What about the shifters? They are both Tiagra-should I upgrade those or it won't make too much of a difference?

Ditto the above... The 105 is a little slicker, but it's not one of the upgrades that's going to make you go "Oh, wow!"

You can run a 105 derailleur with your Tiagra shifters no problem.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Ditto the above... The 105 is a little slicker, but it's not one of the upgrades that's going to make you go "Oh, wow!"

You can run a 105 derailleur with your Tiagra shifters no problem.

Good luck whatever you decide.

I tried a new 105 and a very used Tiagra (shifters) and it was oh wow, but other that that probably nothing. The 105 used so much less effort to shift, but then it was new compared to old and crashed Tiagras. For the RD the weight difference is cool, but a performance difference is minimal. I would not pay for either unless my equipment was very worn.

As for the FD, I know sometimes they can be finicky and maybe an upgrade would fix things, but maybe not.

I built a disposable crit bike a few years ago with Tiagra 9 speed shifters. Properly adjusted with good cables/housing they perform flawlessly. Even Dura Ace, if improperly maintained, will shift like crap.

Upgrade only when the old stuff is worn out.
Al

Well, it looks like I'm going to hold off on the switch if it is not going to make that much of a performance difference. Seems like I can spend that money on things that would be more sensible, i.e. new saddle, wheels, etc. Another thing though-I really want to learn how to work on the derailleurs myself rather than take it into a bike shop every time it needs adjusting. I'm a beginner at the sport and have no idea where to start...Anybody have any recommendations or books with instructions on how to learn to keep my derailleurs in tip-top shape? Thanks!

Well, it looks like I'm going to hold off on the switch if it is not going to make that much of a performance difference. Seems like I can spend that money on things that would be more sensible, i.e. new saddle, wheels, etc. Another thing though-I really want to learn how to work on the derailleurs myself rather than take it into a bike shop every time it needs adjusting. I'm a beginner at the sport and have no idea where to start...Anybody have any recommendations or books with instructions on how to learn to keep my derailleurs in tip-top shape? Thanks!

Parktool.com > "Repair Help" That is the source for a quick overview and how to do things fast.

If you want very detailed information along with whys and opposed to just do it, then Google Sheldon Brown and go to his website. I think SheldonBrown.com/.net.