Originally Posted by
Doug64
-The critical combination is the bottom bracket, crankset and front derailleur. The 103mm bottom bracket lets you keep a 45-47mm chainline with mountain bike cranks. Mountain bike cranks usually are set up with non-STI shifters to run about a 50mm chainline. STI shifters and road FD's are designed to use the 45-47mm chainline. I've only used Sugino, but it might work for other MB cranks as well. The Tiagra front derailleur is very versitile and forgiving. .
Right on. That`s the route I`m going along with my upgrade. Last week I installed a Shimano M442 mtn crankset on a Sugino 103mm square taper BB for a 45mm chainline. I wanted it narrow for the 130mm rear hub with 9sp 11-34 cassette. Wasn`t sure it would work because I read some cranksets have dished spiders which can hit the BB shell if you run it too narrow, but this one turned out to be nice and flat.
I was wondering about the FD, as I can`t get the old XC Pro to work properly, so looks like the Tiagra 4503 might be the go. Definitely versatile if it can shift on mtb chaiwheels.
I`ve already got an XT rear der and will get around to installing new DA 9s barend shifters soon. I`m hoping they will be compatible with the RD as I read recently that there can be a mtb/road issue there.
It`s good to know that STI is possible with this set up too.
Thanks for the info!