Bicycle Mechanics - Ultegra double -> triple: will 105 FD work well?

Just a quick question. I have 2005 Specialized Allez running 9 spd 6500 ultegra double. I am planning to convert it to triple and have purchased 9 spd long cage RD and ultegra 6603 crankset. I belive the shifters that I have are triple compatible. But now I have hard time sourcing ultegra FD triple for my bike. How much will I lose by going with 105 FD? I know ultegra is 52-39-30 and 105 is 50-39-30. Will it be an issue? Also, I am planning on putting Salsa 26T on as well. Will that matter for choice?

Thanks so much!

Pretty sure it's no big deal; the quality difference amounts to squat, and the difference in curve on the cage (if any) won't make much difference at all.


Also, I am planning on putting Salsa 26T on as well. Will that matter for choice?

Wait, you mean a 26t granny ring with a FD designed for a 30t? You're probably pushing it there...

Thanks for quick reply. Yes, that is exactly what I meant. They both (30T and 26T) use 74mm rings. What do you mean by pushing? 39-26 = 13 cog jump which is similar to one found on compacts 50-34 = 16. Do you think ultegra FD will handle that jump better then 105 FD? Thanks again!

Thanks for quick reply. Yes, that is exactly what I meant. They both (30T and 26T) use 74mm rings. What do you mean by pushing? 39-26 = 13 cog jump which is similar to one found on compacts 50-34 = 16. Do you think ultegra FD will handle that jump better then 105 FD? Thanks again!

It's the total distance that matters 50-26 = 24 jump. My guess is that your front derailleur will handle it (and that statement is made with no evidence) since it can handle 52-30 (which is morally equivalent to 50-28) and 50-26 isn't that big a difference, but you may have to lower your front derailleur. And you might find that you need a longer front derailleur...

Cheers,
Charles

Hang on a sec, the FD is for a 50-39-30, but I presume the rings are 52-39-24.

It's the range from the big ring to the granny ring that counts for the FD, and 52-24 is a lot.

I've got a similar combination, the Ultegra triple (mine's 6703) and 105 front derailleur (FD-5703). Shifts are smooth and there's no rub. You might get an even better fit with the 5500 series of 105 derraileur because they matched to a 105 triple with a 52 tooth chainring. Check about the chain. Shimano recommends a 10-speed chain and I bought a 105 10-speed chain. (I've got a 9 speed cluster.)

Good luck.

It should work with no problems and the differences between the Ultegra and 105 are trivial. I routinely replace the 30t granny ring with a 26T on both Shimano 52/42/X and Campy 53/42/X triple road cranks and none of the front derailleurs have given any trouble. The 26 to 42 shift is a bit slow but I'm never in a rush for that one.

Okay, no worries then.

Wow, thanks so much for prompt replies. 105 derailleur it is!

I have 2005 Specialized Allez running 9 spd 6500 ultegra double. I am planning to convert it to triple and have purchased 9 spd long cage RD and ultegra 6603 crankset. I belive the shifters that I have are triple compatible. But now I have hard time sourcing ultegra FD triple for my bike. How much will I lose by going with 105 FD? I know ultegra is 52-39-30 and 105 is 50-39-30.


hi
first the basic answer:
105 FD -
if that's a 9-speed 105 FD-5504 front derailer, it is compatible with a 9-speed
ST-6510 or ST-5510 shifter (which you'll need, though you didn't say it.)
The 9-speed long cage RD is probably a 6500-GS or something which will be compatible with this shifter.

On the other hand, the ultegra 6603 is designed for 10-speed so I would stay away from that one with your components. There would be some different spacing between the chainwheels, different bottom bracket requirements, or something else that is likely to get you. Shimano doesn't list compatibility between 9-speed derailers and 10-speed cranks like this so I'm sure it's not an ideal set up, though it may seem to work.

the back plate on triples is deeper , if you use a STI Brifter, they design the cage shape
to drag just at the cross chain positions, , so the cage shape is different on the triple road FD.

If you hate the way your Double FD works on the triple after making half the swap,
finish the change to a triple FD.

On the other hand, the ultegra 6603 is designed for 10-speed so I would stay away from that one with your components. There would be some different spacing between the chainwheels, different bottom bracket requirements, or something else that is likely to get you. Shimano doesn't list compatibility between 9-speed derailers and 10-speed cranks like this so I'm sure it's not an ideal set up, though it may seem to work.

Hi,

Yes, ST-6510 and 6500-GS is exactly what I have. I also just got 5504 from ebay, so I should be able to do a change within a week or so and see how it works (and I already changed bottom bracket to external bearings one). You right 6603 is 10 spd part, but I guess the common wisdom on BF is that 10 spd chainrings work just as well on 9 spd setups as on 10 spd. We will see! Really looking forward to taking on all those crazy hills around here!