Tiagra RD

[Catrin]

My Trek 7.6 has a Tiagra RD and a Deore FD. With the conversion of my LHT to a flat-bar touring bike I won't be able to do upgrades to the Trek for quite some time, but I am wondering what advantages there would be to upgrading at least the Tiagra RD in the future.

[Blueberry]

A little lighter and slightly better shifting. And for the bling. I think that's really it. I wouldn't upgrade it until it fails (but I may be in the minority). I have tiagra that has given me years of good service and is still going strong.

[indysteel]

I did some ungrades when I first got my Bianchi. In retrospect, it was likely a waste of money. I would suggest just waiting until the part fails. A few grams of weight savings here and there on an FX is not going to be all that noticeable. Assuming it's shifting okay now, just leave it. There are enough necessary upgrades, e.g., chain, cassette, tires, that you have to do as your mileage adds up. Just save your money for them.

[Becky]

Ditto what the others have said. Ride the pants off of it (so to speak), and upgrade it when it breaks.

[Catrin]

Thank for the information, that was basically what I figured. The conversion to my LHT is certainly my entire 2010 bike upgrade budget anyway! I was just curious what difference a higher grade DR might present.

I am certainly trying to ride the pants off my Trek right now - when the rain allows - but such is spring.

It will be interesting to see which of my two bikes gets the most mileage once I can really ride my LHT - it doesn't have that aluminum buzz on rough roads!

[indysteel]

Thank for the information, that was basically what I figured. The conversion to my LHT is certainly my entire 2010 bike upgrade budget anyway! I was just curious what difference a higher grade DR might present.

I am certainly trying to ride the pants off my Trek right now - when the rain allows - but such is spring.

It will be interesting to see which of my two bikes gets the most mileage once I can really ride my LHT - it doesn't have that aluminum buzz on rough roads!

My first bike was an FX. I haven't ridden it once since getting a road bike. I finally loaned it to a friend of mine. Now that I live someplace with a nice MUT and lower over-all traffic, I wouldn't mind getting it back.