Chainring range on Tiagra FD-4503
03-02-12, 11:51 AM
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Chainring range on Tiagra FD-4503
Hello all, I own a 2011 Masi Randonneur and would like to have a little lower gearing for loaded touring. I've been searching around here for info, but haven't found an answer to this specific question.
Background: I swapped out the RD (now a Deore Mtn Bike RD) and cassette to get from 11-25 to 11-34 teeth. That has helped, but I would like a smaller ring up front too.
Right now the front triple (Tiagra FD-4503) has 50/39/30 rings on it. The Shimano manual says this derailleur should have a front tooth difference of 20 teeth or less. But, I'd like to get away with only buying one (smaller) ring, probably a 26t.
Does anyone know if the FD-4503 would work with 50/39/26 (24 tooth difference)?
Thanks for your help!
Background: I swapped out the RD (now a Deore Mtn Bike RD) and cassette to get from 11-25 to 11-34 teeth. That has helped, but I would like a smaller ring up front too.
Right now the front triple (Tiagra FD-4503) has 50/39/30 rings on it. The Shimano manual says this derailleur should have a front tooth difference of 20 teeth or less. But, I'd like to get away with only buying one (smaller) ring, probably a 26t.
Does anyone know if the FD-4503 would work with 50/39/26 (24 tooth difference)?
Thanks for your help!
03-02-12, 01:56 PM
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I can't answer your specific question but I can say that I am running that FD with 50/39/28 chainrings. I pair that with an 11-34 cassette for loaded touring (e.g. pulling a trailer with camp gear, food, etc. for two people through the Canadian Rockies).
03-02-12, 02:12 PM
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CO2+H20 => CH2O+O2!
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Thanks Ryker, it sounds like the 20t range is more of a strong suggestion than hard-fast rule. Do you have any problems shifting on the FD with that setup?
03-02-12, 02:25 PM
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Sorry - should have said in my original reply. Shifts flawlessly. FWIW I used a granny ring from Sugino. My ring is asymmetric so the gap between chainrings is only correct if it installed in the correct orientation.
03-02-12, 02:28 PM
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Hello all, I own a 2011 Masi Randonneur and would like to have a little lower gearing for loaded touring. I've been searching around here for info, but haven't found an answer to this specific question.
Background: I swapped out the RD (now a Deore Mtn Bike RD) and cassette to get from 11-25 to 11-34 teeth. That has helped, but I would like a smaller ring up front too.
Right now the front triple (Tiagra FD-4503) has 50/39/30 rings on it. The Shimano manual says this derailleur should have a front tooth difference of 20 teeth or less. But, I'd like to get away with only buying one (smaller) ring, probably a 26t.
Does anyone know if the FD-4503 would work with 50/39/26 (24 tooth difference)?
Thanks for your help!
Background: I swapped out the RD (now a Deore Mtn Bike RD) and cassette to get from 11-25 to 11-34 teeth. That has helped, but I would like a smaller ring up front too.
Right now the front triple (Tiagra FD-4503) has 50/39/30 rings on it. The Shimano manual says this derailleur should have a front tooth difference of 20 teeth or less. But, I'd like to get away with only buying one (smaller) ring, probably a 26t.
Does anyone know if the FD-4503 would work with 50/39/26 (24 tooth difference)?
Thanks for your help!
The 50/39/24 had some problems with the chain being able to sneak in behind the 39 and jam but that's not a derailer issue. There's a lot of open space between the 39 and 24.
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
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Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
03-02-12, 03:17 PM
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CO2+H20 => CH2O+O2!
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Thanks for the help guys. When I have the funds I'll put that 26 on there.
03-02-12, 06:33 PM
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Do it. I've swapped out the factory 30T chainring for a 26T on a bunch of Shimano and even a Campy triple road cranks with great results. They are all geared 52/42/26 or 53/42/26 and shifting is fine. They are all a bit sluggish upshifting from the 26 to the 42 but they do shift and you aren't in a big hurry for that shift anyway.
03-03-12, 12:42 PM
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I'm using that FD with a 52-42-26 triple without any issue, and it shifts fast, and clean.
03-05-12, 12:47 AM
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A 26 tooth should work fine. I would recommend also installing a Chain Catcher or some other chain retention device to prevent derailments when shifting into the small ring. Using a smaller chainring is generally preferable to using a bigger-range cassette because it keeps the spacing between the cogs a little better, and it is also a lighter setup.
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