Originally Posted by
Blue Motobecane
I've spent quite a bit of time on it, I promise. Not saying it's not a solvable problem, but it's not that easy. I've also had a couple of other people try it, so it's not exclusively that I'm a moron. I can shift to every gear, but not comfortably (chain rubs at one or both extremes), and I do find I have to adjust it relatively frequently, as in every few weeks to months depending on how much I'm riding. I don't have high end components, by the way--Tiagra front, 105 rear.
I have set up bikes that have the same issues you mention. Its inexplicable, really as those same components on other bikes arent nearly as finicky.
Most recently- a couple weeks ago a buddy gave me his Bianchi Volpe to work on because the front shifting didnt work well. Triple crank, older 105 STI shifters, Tiagra rear derailleur, and Sora front deraiileur. Hodgepodge, but it all should work fine together.
Man that was a bear to get in tune. Adjust the FD so it doesnt rub on the small ring and it rubs on the big. Adjust so it doesnt rub on the big and the chain skips over the middle ring on shifting to the small ring.
Back and forth and back and forth.
Just mentioning this to say that I get it- some setups are tough nuts to crack.