Noticable difference between 105 and Tiagra front derailleur?

quozl

I got a great deal on a tiagra group-set from merlincycles, with only one very minor catch - the included front derailleur is braze-on but I need clamp on.

I can get a braze-on to clamp-on adaptor for 13 euro from CRC. If my down-tube was 31.8mm then I could get a brand-x one for 4 euro, bah!

So I can either:

1 - Buy a braze-on adaptor for 13.50euro
2 - Buy a new clamp-on Tiagra front-mech for €28.28 and sell my unused tiagra mech.
3 - Buy a new clamp-on 105 mech for 24.59 (yes, it's cheaper than the Tiagra currently!) and sell my unused tiagra mech.

I'm really only considering options 1 or 3.
Surely I can get at least 15 euro for a brand-new tiagra front mech - in which case it'd only be the added hassle of the sale but I'd get a 105 mech instead.

Would I notice any difference in front-shifting between a Tiagra and 105 mech? I'll be using the Tiagra STI levers either way.

Front-shifting up is the biggest pain on my current sora bike - but I'm doubtful that there's any noticable difference between tiagra and 105 front mechs. The front mech is such a simple item anyway.

Any advice?

quozl

I'd also be able to claim that my bike is a mix of 105/tiagra rather than having to say it's only tiagra.

Surely that's worth the 11 euro difference alone!

Mycroft H

quozl wrote: »

I'd also be able to claim that my bike is a mix of 105/tiagra rather than having to say it's only tiagra.

Surely that's worth the 11 euro difference alone!

Probably no difference other than in weight.

quozl

Grand so, I'll save the hassle and just get the braze-on adapter

Thanks.