I'm building up a 2004 Bianchi Volpe from bits for my girlfriend and having trouble getting the front derailleur dialed in. The 04' Volpe originally came with 9speed Tiagra ST-4400 levers and Tiagra FD / Deore RD and a Sugino 48-38-28 crankset.

The later Tiagra FD-4503 is still readily available, but specs a 11t minimum top/mid ring difference. The FD-4400 is harder to find even used.

GF is getting cranky about not getting to tear up the streets w/ her new ride... so I want to get the right FD this time.
Should I go ahead and order a later FD-4503 new?
-OR- hunt down a used FD-4400? (about same $)
-OR- keep playing with the current 105SC FD-1057 triple FD?

Right now I have an old 105SC FD-1057 triple installed and having problems getting adjusted to drop into the small ring AND climb into the big ring cleanly at the same adjustment. I believe I have the height and angle set right. I've played with the stops and indexing for a long while. It currently has the orig ST-4400 shifters a new KMC X9.93 chain & used 11-32 SRAM cassette & an older XT-MT750 RD. We may swap her to newer ST-4500 levers, once its sorted.

Here are the FD Specs.... Which specs matter the most for compatibility with a 48-38-28?

Tiagra FD-4503 Triple
Cassette Compatibility: 9-speed
Top Gear Teeth: 50T
Maximum Capacity: 20T (Triple)
Min. Top/Mid Difference: 11T
Chain Stay Angle: 63-66
Chain Line: 45mm


Tiagra FD-4403 Triple
Cassette Compatibility: 9-speed
Top Gear Teeth: 52T
Maximum Capacity: 22T
Min. Top/Mid Difference: 10T
Chain Stay Angle: 63-66
Chain Line: 45mm


-CURRENTLY INSTALLED-
105SC FD-1057 Triple (circa 1996)
Cassette Compatibility: ?? (8speed?? )
Top Gear Teeth: 52T
Maximum Capacity: 22T
Chain Stay Angle: 63-66º
Chain Line: 45mm

OEM Tiagra 4403 Crankset was a 52/42/30T
OEM Tiagra 4503 Crankset was a 50/39/30T

Alpina-D Front Derailleurs

Interesting! Sounds like just the FD I'm looking for.... Thanks for the heads up trailangel. Unfortunately the Alpina-D is unavailable on their website.
The Alpina-D Front Derailleurs Model/Size : Braze-On Drop Bar 60120 is not currently available. Please contact us for availability of this item.


I'm not finding it in the retail channel either. I've written IRD to see if more are being produced.


Any reason I shouldn't get a new FD-4503? I can get it for $30 shipped.

I'm using a current model Sora triple with the drive train from my old 2005 Volpe. It works perfectly.

My 2011 Volpe has the 4503 and 28/38/48, and I have no problems with it at all

Thanks for the replies.

It is difficult to tell if the "Top Gear teeth" spec or "Minimum Mid/Top Difference" has more impact on compatibilty but it seems derailleurs with a wider back plate work better touring oriented triple setups... see bobotech's observations: https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-me...l#post16666934