msheron

I got my bike back from the LBS today for a ride tomorrow. I had them put on an Ultegra group (RD....****er/brake levers.......F/R brakes) I was perplexed however when they called to say the Ultegra FD would not work due to fact I have a Bontrager crank. Incompatability issues or something of the sort. Said I would probably need to invest in the Ultegra crank to use the FD but in meantime use the existing 105 FD.

I am looking now for a Ultegra crank triple 9 spd. Any suggestions as to lowest price around. I checked Performance but they don't have the triple 9 spd.

E-Bay had one but was not same as mine.......I need a 52-42-30

E-Bay had one that was 50-42-30........would that work? Need assistance on this one!

djtrackie

That's B.S.

If the 105 works, an Ultegra FD would work. Maybe they didn't have the right ultegra FD in stock or something.

55/Rad

Nashbar has the 105 triple (9-sp.) for $100 but not the Ultegra. The 50/42/32 would work but you'd lose a bit in the top end.

Can't for the life of me understand why the Bonty crank wouldn't work.

55/Rad

jimbud

Quite a few 9sp. Ultegra triples on ebay. They come and go fast. You should be able to buy a brand new one on there for less then a $100.00 with shipping.

CHenry

I bought my Ultegra 9-speed triple at greenfishsports.com. You might search at qbike.com also.

Retro Grouch 

How many teeth on your Bontrager crank's big ring?

NtenseGSRracer

I think he said 52.

jimbud

Greenfish Sports is a great place to buy bike components.

Trevor98

There should be no problem using the two together if...
Both are the same style (ie both triple or double).
Both physically fit on the bike (braze on vs clamp, clearance issues).
The crank doesn't over whelm the capacity of the FD (Ultegra 9 FD <56T, <15T difference between gears).

If all these conditions are good, ask the LBS the specific reason why the two won't work together. If the 105 works, the same style Ultegra should work as well- as they have the same specs.

AngryRooster

Thats a load of crap.I have a Trek 2100 with the stock Bontrager crank AND the (upgraded from the 105)Ultegra front and (stock) rear derailuer, and it works great.I think they might be trying to get a coupla more dollars from you. IMHO.

blandin

+1 - Great customer service as well. The owner's name is Sam and he is a pleasure to deal with.

msheron

Okay.............that is what I thought but they said the Ultegra FD had a deeper cage and would not work. They didn't try to sell me a Ultegra crank so I don't think they were trying to get anymore money. I did however find one on E-Bay

New Shimano Ultegra Triple Crankset FC-6503 172.5mm

I assume this one will work............will I need a new BB for this? It said it was the Octalink version or some crap like that. It is a 52-42-30 9 spd. triple!

SDRider

I had a 10spd FSA crank 53/39 on my bike when I bought it with Ultegra derailleurs. I don't see why the Bontrager crank wouldn't work. Mine is a double though.

jorantes

Hmmm sounds like BS... I have an '06 trek pilot 2.1 equipped w/ULTEGRA FR/RR derailleurs and Bontrager Race 52/42/30 crank
... WORKS GREAT!

msheron

Jorantes-
I have the 05' Trek Pilot 2.1 with same crank. Now I am wondering if they just could not get it aligned properly.

Al1943

What are the chainring sizes on your Bontrager crankset? Maybe that's the issue.

Al

2bfree

I'm guessing the Ultegra FD the LBS has is an FD-6603, from the new "10-speed" group. Ordinarily, the FD shouldn't care about 9 vs. 10 speeds, but it's designed to shift the new FC-6603 52-39-30 triple, so the inner ("deeper") plate of the cage extends to match the curvature of the 39T chainring and therefore won't clear a 42T in the intermediate position when the outer plate is set to just clear the 52T top. Don't ask me how I know!

The FD-6603 service instruction has, in very small print, an interesting specification for "minimum difference between top and intermediate" chainrings, which is 13T. So, they're warning us that it can shift a 52-39-xx triple, but not a 52-42-xx triple.

For the FD-5504 & 6503, the minimum required difference is 10T, so they will shift a 52-42-xx triple as well as (actually, better than) a 52-39-xx triple.

So, you could swap the 42T chainring for a 39T, if you can find one, and use the FD-6603, or get a "9-speed" FD-6503 or FD-5504 (105) FD and keep the 52-42-30 triple. If you can't find an FD-6503, look for an FD-5504 and save some money. If you're sensitive to "peer-gruppo" pressure, you can peel off the "105" sticker. It's a great FD either way!

msheron

2bfree-
Thanks for that insight................riding today with friends and will let you know how the 105FD works with my new group. I have bought a new Ultegra crank on E-Bay for $75 which is a 172.5 mm 52-42-30.

I knew I come to this site for a reason!

jppe

I think you made a good choice. Good to read the other post on why the other Ultegra FD would not work as well. Explains my recent issue.

I just recently replaced an Ultegra FD on my 52/42/30 with a 6603 and it shifted horribly. I had a 105 (from another bike) on their temporarily and it worked perfectly. I now have a Tiagra FD and it shifts better than any shifter I've ever had!! Go figure.

msheron

Okay.............took bike out for the maiden voyage with new Ultegra components. Not too shabby. The shifters work great and the RD is smoth as well. I need to fine tune the FD. Only problem was my damn chain broke twice on me! Had to nurse the bike back almost 13 miles in 1-7 combo so as to not put too much tension on POS link that gave out. I forgot my chain tool so had to improvise like McGuyver to get it together. Oh well, put a new link in when got back home and made sure my chain tool is in the bag if ever happens again!

thebankman

The same problem has occured on my newly built bike, the LBS can't get the ultegra FD to stop scraping on the chain. It is a double Bontrager chainring (race lite gxp) and ultegra 10 speed. They are going to try an Ultegra chain set and then the entire ultegra crankarms and chainrings as the last resort. Fine by me, can't go wrong with more Ultegra parts I just want the bike to work properly regardless.