Upgrade Question
 

I have a '03 Cannondale R600 with a Tiagra Front Derailer and Cannondale PX3, 30/42/52 crankset, i want to get rid of the Derailer now and the crankset a little more down the road. I want to upgrade to a ultegra front derailer. Can i just buy the unit and install it? Or will i have compadability issues. Also when i replace the crankset will the same go also. I know i will have to replace the crankset and bottom bracket when i do that one. Any help and info is greatly appreciated. Also can anyone reccommend a good seat.

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Upon searching the web i found the Ultegra will only support a max of 52 teeth and the Dura Ace will support up to 53. My Bike has 53 so i guess i am stuck with the better ($44.98 from performancebike.com). My shifters will work ok with the Dura Ace?
David.
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The Tiagra shifts lousy, i have had it tuned up and readjusted numerous times, i only have350 miles on it. The Crankset upgrade is for no other reason for now then weight and a slight performance difference.

The Ultegra front dérailleur will work on a 53t chainring just fine. The same dérailleur is used on the 53/39 double set-ups. I think rather than replacing the crankset, you might consider upgrading your shifters to Ultegra also.

I thought so to but the website says max 52. I dont know what to think anymore. Here is the Shimano link.
http://bike.shimano.com/Road/Ultegra...number=FD-6503

Let me put it this way. I use the same Ultegra dérailleur for both my double (53/39) cranksets and my triple (52/42/30) cranksets. The dérailleur works fine in either case.

If you have a double, you have a 53-tooth chainring. If you have a triple, it's a 52.

There are subtle but meaningful differences between front derailleurs meant for doubles and those meant for triples. They will work either way, but if you have a triple you'll get better results with the triple FD.

Tooth capacity isn't the important issue. Choose the FD based on whether you have a double or triple crankset. If you're buying a new one, there's no reason not to.

You can replace a Tiagra triple crankset, front derailleur, or bottom bracket with 105 or Ultregra triple parts, in any order, in any combination. If you are changing to a double, you will need to replace the crankset and bb together.

RichC

Good answer Rich, much better than mine.