Bekologist

check to see that the chain is installed with the correct side in and that it is actually a 10 speed chain as part of the troubleshooting. i haven't listened to a new directional chain installed incorrectly but the new shimano chains are meant for only one orientation in the drivetrain.

don't mess with changing the crank until you have eliminated all the potential fixes.

it would behoove you to purchase an R600 compact for about 150 bucks, sell the ultegra triple on craigslist rather than monkeying with the ringset on the 6703 IMO.

ErichM

I didn't know how much monkeying it would actually be.

I'll just get a 6700 standard double next spring and sell the 6703. Strange I don't see any 6703s on craigslist or eBay used. I have no idea how much I'd get for it.

jmess

I have a 6703 crank and 6600 Ultegra components on my Specialized Roubaix and it doesn't have any chain rub in the middle ring. Cross chaining with 52x27 or 30x12 will make some noise just like it did with my compact in the 50x12. With the compact I had issues with chain suck when shifting from the 50 to the 34. I road the compact for a couple of years and switched to a triple which has worked really well for me.

ErichM

Good to know, thanks.

Bekologist

You would want a dedicated double ring crank if you were running a double, the Q factor goes big with the triple. chainline is always easier to manage with two rings so good luck with whatever direction you take. check to make sure your chain is installed correct side out as this may be the issue.

A little noise from the drivetrains got to be lived with regardless.

ErichM

Hey FYI it looks like the 6703 still uses the old Ultegra chains. I have a 6600 chain on it. I looked at Shimano's website and it indeed lists that chain as the one to use for the 6703. You can only use the new chains on the Ultegra/Dura-Ace double...

Bekologist

shimano specs the old chain with the new 6703? interesting.......well, good luck.

The new 6703 crank sounds like its not so hot, the middle ring is an aberration, its like an FSA tripleizer.

ErichM

I think I'm going to try to pull the trigger on this if I can get it for cheap enough.

I will also get a shorter cage front derailleur and I should be good to go.

I do have one more question for you though, if you don't mind. I see that the 6703 shifters are compatible with doubles, but not vise versa.

I assumed (I guess incorrectly) that the shift lever shifted until the cable got tight and hit the top limit setting?

Why do they have a separate shifter for doubles if this is the case? Will I have any trouble with this? I really can't afford new shifters so if there is something critically bad about using triple shifters for a double I will have to forget the whole thing...

cbfight

Shimano tried for a while to spec triple shifters for both triple and double applications, but discovered that too many people were adjusting the triple shifters incorrectly for double applications, thereby making them more prone to failure. The specific issue was that people were using the 1stand 2nd clicks for shifting between the rings in a double instead of the 2nd and 3rd clicks. Problem is, by using the 1st and 2nd clicks, you run the risk of mangling the shift mechanism by attempting to click into 3rd, which would obviously be prohibited on a well adjusted FD by the high limit. Plastic shift mechanism vs. metal limit screw and you have a broken shifter.\

Setup the shifter to use the 2nd and 3rd stops and you'll be fine since that way the shifter will naturally bottom out when it should. The first click would just take up extra slack. It's a perfectly safe thing to do provided you do it right.

ErichM

Okay, thanks. That is kind of what I thought. So on the double shifter there is a mechanism in place to prevent it from trying to pull the cable when it is in the top position already?

So... Just to make sure I get this right I would:

adjust low limit screw
shift shifter to second position
attach cable
pull cable tight and set high limit

Something like that?

cbfight

Yes, that should do it.

ErichM

I know this is an old thread now. Just figured I would give an update.

Just went for a ride on my newly installed Ultegra 53/39 standard double. I replaced the chain with a 6701 and replaced the FD as well.

All my woes are gone. Sounds and feels smooth as silk. So happy I made the change.

I don't know if I just had a bad crankset or if all the 6703 triples suck, but I think I'll be happier with a double anyway.