McStumpy

Hi

My road bike was originally a flat bar model, with full tiagra 4600 2x10 (50/34t) and tiagra sl-4600 trigger shifters.

I converted to drop bar and (foolishly) sold the trigger shifters.

I've now acquired a new road bike and am converting the tiagra bike back to flat bar for commuting / light trail/ family cycles (fitting 32mm tyres). I've picked up a r780 10 speed trigger shifter but still need something for the front mech.

In terms of eBay, there are a proliferation of shimano mtb 2 speed trigger shifters available, with prices much cheaper than buying a road specific trigger. I've searched the net for info re shimano mtb shifter/ road front mech compatibility and views are mixed.

Does anyone know definitively, or have experience of, compatibility between shimano mtb trigger shifter and tiagra road compact front mech?

Thanks

Bill Kapaun

You need the FD-R453 to use trigger shifters with a "road" crank.
EDIT- Ignore. It's for a triple.

What FDER was on the bike originally? If it worked before, it should work now.

Andrew R Stewart 

The throw (cable pull per movement amount) of the mountain der and the ring to ring spacing (c-c) of mountain cranks are both a bit different than those of road stuff. Close enough so many people try the mixed combos. But not the same enough to reduce the problems to the level that a well matched system has. (And yes a well matched system can and dose have issues often).


But as an animal we humans are optimistic so we'll try any way. Andy

athrowawaynic

This would be one of those cases where I'd ask, why not make it a 1x10? (Would you really need the extra gearing for commuting / light trail/ family cycles?)

Velocivixen

Your shifters wouldn't match, but you could use a friction shifter for the front and not have to worry about it.

corrado33

I agree with this. A friction shifter for the front derailleur is great.

Alternatively, go to your local coop, they're bound to have a shifter that'll work for you. (Or a shifter/derailleur combo, or a derailleur/crank/shifter combo.)

If it were me, I'd just make something work by converting a triple shifter into a double by screwing in the limit screws. Or, I'd get one of the old school "indexed" FD shifters that were essentially friction, they just happened to have a small indent where the "indexed" spot was.

Lots of options. Some better than others. It all depends on how "good" you want it to be.

Darth Lefty 

MTB double derailleurs are cheap and plentiful.

The old Tiagra part for this purpose was FD-R440 which you can still find in a braze-on version and then attach it to a generic mount clamp.

Also, doubles are a lot more forgiving than triples because the shifter only sets the top position, the bottom is set by the limit screw... as long as there's enough slack when the cable is released, anyhow.

70sSanO

I have to second/third/... the recommendation for a friction thumb shifter. I have a little arthritis in my left thumb and I can't use trigger shifters for the front derailleur on my mountain or flat bar bikes.

I use Suntour XCD? 4050/6000 shifters from the 80's for the front derailleur. They are massive, almost a palm shifter. But they work great, and for a double, maybe better than a trigger. And they are bullet-proof. IMO, it is the only way to go for your situation.

John

McStumpy

Thanks, all