Upgrading a Shimano groupset.

[Silverfox885]

I'm considering changing my Shimano Claris 8 speed groupset for a Tiagra 10 speed triple on my Giant Defy. At present the frame has an FSA cartridge bottom bracket and the new groupset comes with Shimano 4600 BB cups. Will the frame accept the new bottom bracket and what tools will I need to remove the old BB and install the new one?
Will the 10 speed cassette fit on the hub once I remove the 8 speed cassette. (It's a pretty new bike, just wish I'd bought the model with Tiagra already fitted.)
Thanks in advance for any help or advice you can offer.

 

[MikeW-71]

The cassette will fit no problem. The BB question I'm interested in myself

 

[jifdave]

you'll be wanting one of these or similar to get cranks off http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-performance-2-in-1-crank-remover/

one of these or similar to remove cartridge http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-performance-cartridge-bottom-bracket-remover/

and one of these to install tiagra cups http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-performance-external-bottom-bracket-wrench/

or a whole set from aldi for around £20 if they have them in.

or http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/x-tools-bike-tool-kit-18-piece/rp-prod40997

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Does the new Tiagra groupset come with a Triple Front Derailleur for the Triple front Crankset? Your existing Derailleur is only for a double.

A worthy upgrade at any rate.

 

[Silverfox885]

This is what I was thinking of getting.
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/gsd/r...t?part=GSSHIMTIAGRA10T&sub=conf_GS_SHR&bike=1
Does this look like a good deal?

 

[jifdave]

ribble are well priced on groupsets but id go with a compact with a wide cassette at the rear if you are changing the whole lot

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/gsd/r...t?part=GSSHIMTIAGRA10D&sub=conf_GS_SHR&bike=1

i used to ride a triple 30/39/50 with a 11-28 at the back, swapped it for a compact 34/50 with an 11-32 cassette and it is just so much easier.

the compact gives you give or take 18/19 usable gears out of 20 where as a triple gives you around 15/16 usable gears and a hell of a lot more shifting

 

[MikeW-71]

That's a good point. Compact double with a Tiagra 12-30 is the same lowest gear as 30/39/50 triple with 11-25.

Pop a 105 medium cage rear mech on and you can use 11-32, which is even lower.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

ribble are well priced on groupsets but id go with a compact with a wide cassette at the rear if you are changing the whole lot

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/gsd/r...t?part=GSSHIMTIAGRA10D&sub=conf_GS_SHR&bike=1

i used to ride a triple 30/39/50 with a 11-28 at the back, swapped it for a compact 34/50 with an 11-32 cassette and it is just so much easier.

the compact gives you give or take 18/19 usable gears out of 20 where as a triple gives you around 15/16 usable gears and a hell of a lot more shifting

I ride a triple 30-40-52 and a 13-14-15-16-17-19-21-24-27 rear giving me 29.22-105.2" on a 9sp the only time I need to change the front from the 40th is when I am doing more than 23mph or less than 10mph (though I do use different options) try getting a compact with that range and ratios, you make the gears to suite you not what is dictated by fashion.

 

[jifdave]

I ride a triple 30-40-52 and a 13-14-15-16-17-19-21-24-27 rear giving me 29.22-105.2" on a 9sp the only time I need to change the front from the 40th is when I am doing more than 23mph or less than 10mph (though I do use different options) try getting a compact with that range and ratios, you make the gears to suite you not what is dictated by fashion.

So yours is 2.2 - 7.9 and mine is 2.1 - 8.9 so have more at both ends.

If you spend 90% of your time on middle cog, that probably means you only use the top gears on the 53 and bottom 3 on the 30.

Your 40 runs 3.9-5.6.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

So yours is 2.2 - 7.9 and mine is 2.1 - 8.9 so have more at both ends.

If you spend 90% of your time on middle cog, that probably means you only use the top gears on the 53 and bottom 3 on the 30.

Your 40 runs 3.9-5.6.

Ok we are talking metric and imperil, not at all i was spinning up a hill today on the 30x14 because it was more convenient to do so and closer gearing should I have needed it, likewise on the 52 ring, I know I lose on the top end, but I dont spin a 105"+ gear if I want I can change the the 27th to 28 to give 28.18" with out it upsetting the ratios too much, I dont often have to use less than 30" around here and then only on grades greater than 12-15% (which there are not to many of any length ), the way I look at it is its a double with an extra range if its needed, in fact I am learning to use the 30th a little more effectively I am never more than one maybe two rear changes on the rear when changing the front, the front change is pretty slick accept from the 30th to 40th, but this is a technical thing as the BB is 115mm and i think it should be 116, but in itself is not a problem. I am even toying with the idea of a 26-28/38/48 front and 12-13-14-15-16-17-18-20-23 on the rear this would give me a better middle ring range to how I ride currently and better stepping on the rear, I did run the lower front with a 12-13-15-17-19-21-24 7sp rear when I started.and it was ok, I am not saying I will do it just a thought

 

[jifdave]

You asked 'try getting a better range' I have a better range.

I think we're done here

 

[Nigelnaturist]

You asked 'try getting a better range' I have a better range.

I think we're done here

Only the middle ring, on the whole total range is fine, but I have a far better cadence ratios, also if required I can gear it from 11-34, but it is no real use to me where I cycle.

Just tell me how often do you push a 50x11 not often I bet, so its a waste of a gear.

 

[jifdave]

Only the middle ring, on the whole total range is fine, but I have a far better cadence ratios, also if required I can gear it from 11-34, but it is no real use to me where I cycle.

Just tell me how often do you push a 50x11 not often I bet, so its a waste of a gear.

actually every single ride i hit that gear, i always make sure i have a big hill to ride down as im a big fella so going uphill is a struggle so like a treat myslef by being able to race away from my riding partners when we hit the sections that suit me, i regularly hit the 50mph mark. Also im getting into time trialling and on a windy course with the wind on my back i have been known to be in that gear.

This is going no where and is of no help to the OP.

In my opinion having ridden both i would take a compact/double over a triple any day, less shifting and much easier for me to tune a front mech on a compact/double than it is on a triple.