Shimano Drivetrain Upgrade - A (potentially) stupid Question

[oliglynn]

Looking at some options here to upgrade my drivetrain from Tiagra to 105. Reason for upgrade is to get rid of an awful clicking Tiagra crank, and at the same time go from a 9 speed to a 10 speed cassette.

The biggest cost looks like it'll be a new set of levers, and if I need these I may as well get a whole groupset.

Question is (and I think it's probably a stupid question, but worth asking all the same as it could potentially save me some monies) can Tiagra levers be used to operate a 10 speed derailleur?

 

[Davywalnuts]

So you want to go from a 9 speed to 10 speed rear end on the same 9 speed shifters? Then no, as the increments on the cassettes are differant from 9-10.. tiny differance, but a differance none the less and they wont mesh.

However, a rear mech, as per your question, will move according to the shifters. So, when I was changing some parts over, I used, temporary a mis-matching rear mech.. 8 speed rear mech on 10 speed shifters.. but, the gripe then comes in with the chain width and the front mech too.

Personally, as it all becomes an annoyance, when your spending hours re-cabling, re-aligning etc, if your going 10 speed, stick wholly to 10 speed parts, but it doesnt matter what groupset you mis-match, as long as its 10 speed.. 10 speed ive always found fiddy. 7,8,9, so much easier..

Am sure someone somewhere knows how to, but personally, no.. but thats just no ten pence worth, hope it helps.

And your clicking noise.. could be the BB.. which, if hollowtech and you have the tools, cheap as chips to change over. cheaper than a whole new groupset anyhow!

 

[oliglynn]

clicking is at the non-drive-side crank arm interface. Have tried many times to eliminate it (cleaning, greasing, loctite on bolts, different bolt torques) but to no avail.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Would it not be cheaper just to replace parts for the clicking crank? And buy some nice wheels with the money saved.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Would it not be cheaper just to replace parts for the clicking crank? And buy some nice wheels with the money saved.

Hugely more sensible. There's really no cycling benefit to going 10speed for the sake of it, just replace the annoying creaky bits. The money saved on the groupset and cables would be far far better spent on a pair of lightweight hoops, lightweight tyres and tubes, then you'll really fly and the bike will feel like new rather than the old bikes with 1 more gear.

 

[Hornet]

Hi

I was asking myslef exactly the same question very recently and came to the conclusion "probably not". My first thought to get new levers then upgrade the rest of the set up later or vice versa. One of my suspisions also (and i could be wrong about, i couldn't find a definitive answer) was that the newer Shimano mechs state they must be used with the corresponding levers - the Tiagra wasn't on the list that was compatible with the new range of 105 / ultegra mechs).

In the end i went for the full monty and upgraded to Ultegra (check some of the prices - i found Ultegra to be not so mcuh more than 105, except the crank set - stuck to 105 to save 60 quid)

 

[Sittingduck]

Just a thought but have you tried removing, cleaning and regreasing the pedals and *cleats on your shoes too?


*assuming you ride clipless, that is...

 

[2Loose]

Also take the BB cups off and clean threads before retightening... that seems to be where my most recent 'click' was from.

 

[Hornet]

And another thought if you do replace your levers - if you've got Tigra and have inline cable adjusters then you might not be able to use them with new 105 levers - Shimano changed the cable routing so instead of the cable popping out of the top of the lever it now goes along the bar. My frame doesn't have cable adjusters built and inline ones are now hard to fit in - have forgone cable adjusters all together now - doing ok without them so far (and have saved like 5 grams or so ;-) )

 

[Angelfishsolo]

(and have saved like 5 grams or so ;-) )

I bet your speed has improved massively

 

[Hornet]

like a bullet out of a gun, that's me

 

[Angelfishsolo]

like a bullet out of a gun, that's me