gerv 

I've just broken my Shimano Tiagra 9 speed FD-4403 front derailleur. Actually this is the second such derailleur I have busted in the last 5 years.

Anyone have a recommendation on a better derailleur? Amazingly, I'm having trouble tracking down a replacement with the following:
- 28.6 clamp
- supports 9 speed (don't know what this matters..)
- triple crank
- down pull

The only Shimano with this spec I can find is a Sora. Would that be any better?

I've learned over the years that Shimano has some nice products, but the bottom of the line is really the bottom of the barrel.

I always thought Tiagra was a reasonable level, but two units in 5 years? Those things should last a lot longer.

operator

Those Tiagra 9 speed front derailleurs are perfectly fine. If you wanted something 'better', try the 105 or ultegra versions of that triple derailleur. How exactly are they breaking again?

gerv 

Arm that holds the spring in place cracked off. At least, that's what happened with the latest one.

mcgreivey

I've never broken a derailleur in 30+ years of road riding. What kind of riding do you do? If you're a high-impact rider--bombing through bushes, or shifting while honking up hills--that kind of thing is hard on your components, and you're going to break stuff. Nothing wrong with that, if it's your style. You just need to keep some spares on hand. Soras are cheap ($10-20 each on ebay, last time I bought one). I don't know if a more expensive model will help you or not. Others will have more knowledge about whether certain models are tougher. I find Soras to be perfectly fine.

gerv 

No... do mostly road riding. And actually rarely shift. Mostly leave it in the middle ring. Do about 2500 miles a year on that bike.

I'll probably get another Tiagra... thinking I've just run into bad luck. I don't need any spares... just take the derailleur off, wrap the chain around the middle ring and keep going.

bradtx

gerv, I'm not familiar with the Tiagra clamp-on, but if it's like many other Shimano clamp-on FDs you can unbolt the FD from the clamp-on, leaving it on the bicycle and simply attach the replacement.

Brad

PS Can you post a pic of the break? It might help the more knowledgeable determine if there is an installation issue.

HillRider

That only correct for the "braze-on" versions of any Shimano front derailleur as these can be attached to a reusable adapter clamp. If the clamp is built in you must replace the entire derailleur.

I also am interested in how you break front derailleurs. In over 25 years and 150,000 miles I've never even worn one out, nevermind breaking one.

LesterOfPuppets

I don't think I've ever broken a FD, either. I have at least 10,000 miles each on my Mongoose and Pinarello's front derailers.

I've trashed a handful of Rear Derailers in my time, however.

gerv 

My index finger points to the small clip holder that snapped off. The spring is totally loose. Not sure how this happened. I was just shifting from middle to big ring.

andrewluke

Any triple FD will work so I would say 105 if the Tiagra is not doing it for you. You just may get some slight rubbing in extreme positions with some that are designed with a 10sp chain in mind. I've seen the 105 FD with Tiagra before so it will work.

HillRider

OK, I see what happened but I'm still at a loss to explain how it could. As I said, I've never even worn out a fd, nevermind had one fail and I've used several Shimano models 25,000 miles or more each.

I can only put it down to bad luck.

bradtx

I went to a website, 'web bike review' I think, and the Tiagra was written up in at least three instances for breaking that spring nib. You might want to bump up to a 105, gerv. Google FD-4403.

HillRider, Thanks for the info... an amateur has such a limited view of things.

Brad

gerv 

I found those reviews. I guess others have found the same flaw.

But, oddly enough, I found similar complaints about the Ultegra. I often wonder who writes those reviews.

Perhaps I will upgrade though if I find a decent price.

Yan 

My 9 speed Tiagra FD failed the same way. I replaced it with a Sora, and cannot tell the difference. I use friction shifting with bar end shifters.

gerv 

Interesting that a "downgrade" works for you. I've used other Tiagra parts on various bikes and found them to be satisfactory overall.

Oh well... thanks everyone for the info.

LesterOfPuppets

Dang, now I'm scared to get a new-fangled road bike.

Davidboise

Thanks very much. My 10 year old FD just did the same thing. The photo helped confirm that and saved me loads of time trying to repair the irreparable.

Bill Kapaun

Most FDER's come with shims so the FDER will fit 3 sizes of tubes.
34.9, 31.8 & 28.6.

fietsbob

+ You can use a braze on FD, and buy a band adapter for those 3 tube diameters

gerv 

Ha ha... you resurrected this thread from the dead... I replaced that FD... actually downgraded to a Sora and have not had a problem since. Nor have any of the other 10 or so FDs I've installed since failed. Isn't that funny?