Compact to Triple - what to change?

[Kins]

I ride a road Tiagra triple, because my lung capacity isn't great, also have an 11-34 rear cassette. I use a Deore 9 speed rear derailleur and it works fine with triple. You could use this on current set up as a first fix.

Need a new bottom bracket or spacers if your old one doesn't have them. Some cranksets come with new BB and spacers. Front Mech and a Brifter.

 

[KneesUp]

For 2015 Genesis are doing a Tour de Fer with slightly longer chainstays and - drum roll - friction shifters. Only £900.

 

[KneesUp]

Actually they're bar ends - Microshift onesbut I presume they have a friction mode?

 

[BSRU]

And yes, the shifters have to be bought in a pair,

Not true, you can certainly buy Tiagra brifters as singles, I bought a left brifter from chain reaction.

 

[CharlesF]

I am back home from two days of the TdF, a fantastic experience and atmosphere, about 20 seconds of cyclists and four hours of waiting, watching the caravan and support vehicles before the sudden excitement of the bikes.

I have decided to go for the option of a lower range cassette and reckon I might as well go the whole hog and replace my 11-30T with these:
• Cassette Shimano HG61 9-Speed 29er 12-36T
• Chain Shimano CN-HG53 9 Speed
• Rear Mech Shimano RD-M592 Deore Shadow

Can you tell me if these are compatible with my existing drive chain:
• Rear Mech Shimano Sora RD-3500 9sp
• Front Mech Shimano Sora FD-3500 9sp
• Chainset Shimano Sora FC-3550, 50/34T
• Chain Shimano CN-HG53 9sp

And will I definitely need a new rear mech and chain. Fitting the kit is within my capabilities so I need to get the right components

 

[CharlesF]

I'm bumping this up in the hope someone can give me advice, thanks

 

[KneesUp]

I have a suspicion that Shimano road and MTB stuff is no longer compatible. Anyone else?

 

[MisterStan]

I have a suspicion that Shimano road and MTB stuff is no longer compatible. Anyone else?

I'm fairly sure that a lot of people use deore derailleurs on road bikes.... @TheDoctor i think has mentioned this before....

 

[CharlesF]

I have a suspicion that Shimano road and MTB stuff is no longer compatible. Anyone else?

I hadn't thought about that, things always get complicated.....

 

[martinireland]

I'm using a 11 34 hg 8 speed cassette with acera long cage rd

I'm using stdio 53 -39 double. Works good for me with no issues

 

[CharlesF]

I'm using a 11 34 hg 8 speed cassette with acera long cage rd

I'm using stdio 53 -39 double. Works good for me with no issues

Thanks, I will look at the Acera for the rear mech

 

[KneesUp]

It's the shifters I'm not sure about. Isn't the "pull" slightly different for MTB and road?

 

[MisterStan]

It's the shifters I'm not sure about. Isn't the "pull" slightly different for MTB and road?

Probably, but derailleurs are usually 'slave' units - i.e. they move as they are told to by the shifters.

 

[ducakrugs]

I have a Genesis CdF with a compact chainset 50/34 and the cassette is 11-30. My problem is that I am old, weak and battling to get anywhere near spinning up steep hills. Instead I am straining and wheezing up at 2-5mph – not a pretty sight.

My first thought was to change the rear cassette to HG61 which offers 11-32, 11-34 or 12-36. I wasn’t sure if the rear mech could cope with 12-36 and would I get a big enough boost in the low gears.

My next thought was a triple chainset FC3503 which is 50/39/30.

I have just visited my two favourite LBS to discuss the problem and both agreed the triple was a better option but they varied completely on what needed to be done:

LBS1 said new shifter, new front mech, new chain and the triple.
LBS2 said new bottom bracket and the triple; everything else would be fine.

Can anyone say which option is correct and any other thoughts are most welcome.

Shimano Durace do a good triple system...I have one on my BMC SLT01 team machine 2005

 

[CharlesF]

It's the shifters I'm not sure about. Isn't the "pull" slightly different for MTB and road?

Do you think my Sora shifters won't have the "strength" to work with a Deore rear mech? If that then means new shifters, the price is getting beyond whats worth spending on the bike.