Shimano Tiagra 4700 levers with 4600 everything else

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audaxer
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Joined: 13 Jan 2009, 3:34pm

Shimano Tiagra 4700 levers with 4600 everything else

Post by audaxer »

I have a 2015 Croix de Fer that has Shimano Tiagra 4600 levers, mechs etc and would like to be able to use a bar bag. For that, I would need the Tiagra 4700 levers as the cables don't stick out on these. Could I just swap the existing 4600 10 speed levers for the 4700 10 speed levers? The end goal is to replace the rest of the drivetrain with GRX to get lower gearing but changing the levers to 4700s would be a good start.

thanks,

Alistair
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cycleruk
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Location: Lancashire

Re: Shimano Tiagra 4700 levers with 4600 everything else

Post by cycleruk »

Basically the answer is no.
Different cable pulls.
4600 = 2.3 whereas 4700 = 2.8.
You will need a matching rear derailleur but the front derailleur should be fine.

There's a recent thread on GRX so check that out if you want to change the drive train.

Edit - 10 speed 105 / Ultegra STI will match your current RD etc.
Last edited by cycleruk on 1 Feb 2023, 3:39pm, edited 1 time in total.
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peetee
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Re: Shimano Tiagra 4700 levers with 4600 everything else

Post by peetee »

Unfortunately the 4700 are incompatible with other Shimano 10 speed systems because the cable pull ratio is different.
Your best bet is the Shimano 105 5700 shifter or attempt to route the cables via compact length v-brake fittings (the smaller shown next to a standard fitting in this photo)
C037E506-789A-48FE-865C-A41A4E29FD91.jpeg
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audaxer
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Joined: 13 Jan 2009, 3:34pm

Re: Shimano Tiagra 4700 levers with 4600 everything else

Post by audaxer »

thanks very much for the replies. I'll look into the GRX discussion.

cheers,

Alistair
Jupestar
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Re: Shimano Tiagra 4700 levers with 4600 everything else

Post by Jupestar »

I'm running the 4720, which i believe is the same compatability as the 4700 STI. (the Hydraulic Version).

I which case i think you need to change the RD to the 4700, although i understand Shimano 11s will also work. the 4700 version is Currently £15.99 from Wiggle. When i did this 6 months ago i got the GS and the SS for that price, so it may come down.

Not sure about the front.
audaxer
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Joined: 13 Jan 2009, 3:34pm

Re: Shimano Tiagra 4700 levers with 4600 everything else

Post by audaxer »

I think I'll just replace the whole lot in one go.

Shimano Tiagra 4700 10 Speed levers
Shimano GRX 400 10 Speed Front Derailleur
Shimano GRX 600 2x10 Speed Chainset
Shimano Tiagra RS500 Bottom Bracket
Shimano Tiagra 4700 10 Speed Rear Derailleur (or RD-RX400 BB)

that should get me the bar space and lower gearing
gxaustin
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Re: Shimano Tiagra 4700 levers with 4600 everything else

Post by gxaustin »

For a small additional cost I have always had better service from Ultegra BBs.
Jupestar
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Re: Shimano Tiagra 4700 levers with 4600 everything else

Post by Jupestar »

Out of interest why are you specing the GRX FD over the 4700 FD?
Jamesh
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Joined: 2 Jan 2017, 5:56pm

Re: Shimano Tiagra 4700 levers with 4600 everything else

Post by Jamesh »

Does the grx chainset have the same drive line as the tiagra one? Best check.
audaxer
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Joined: 13 Jan 2009, 3:34pm

Re: Shimano Tiagra 4700 levers with 4600 everything else

Post by audaxer »

Thanks for the BB tip.

I think only the GRX FD will work with the GRX chainwheel.
Jupestar
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Joined: 29 Feb 2020, 3:03pm

Re: Shimano Tiagra 4700 levers with 4600 everything else

Post by Jupestar »

audaxer wrote: 2 Feb 2023, 7:16am I think only the GRX FD will work with the GRX chainwheel
I guess the GRX smaller chainrings, than the 4700? That would make sense.
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cycleruk
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Re: Shimano Tiagra 4700 levers with 4600 everything else

Post by cycleruk »

gxaustin wrote: 1 Feb 2023, 5:24pm For a small additional cost I have always had better service from Ultegra BBs.
The Ultegra BB has a smaller diameter bearing housing than the Tiagra version.
Needs an adapter if using a 'normal' BB tool.:-
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audaxer
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Re: Shimano Tiagra 4700 levers with 4600 everything else

Post by audaxer »

The goal is bar space for a bag, hence the 4700 levers and lower gearing, hence the GRX 600 chainset. The compatibility chart says:

ST4700 = FD-RX400 = FD-RX600-10 = BB-RS500 = CN-HG95

and I read somewhere the FD-RX600-10 (for the much lower gears than Tiagra) needs the FD-RX400.

Plus adding the GRX 400 10 Speed Shadow Plus Rear Derailleur completes the upgrade. Not sure why rear derailleurs aren't on the compatibility chart.

I also looked at GRX levers but they seem to come with disc brakes which are flat mount but the Croix de Fer is post mount and the adapters (if they work) cost a fortune and just add more stuff to perhaps break.
TheBomber
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Joined: 16 Feb 2020, 8:18pm

Re: Shimano Tiagra 4700 levers with 4600 everything else

Post by TheBomber »

audaxer wrote: 2 Feb 2023, 12:25pm I also looked at GRX levers but they seem to come with disc brakes which are flat mount but the Croix de Fer is post mount and the adapters (if they work) cost a fortune and just add more stuff to perhaps break.
I had been wondering why you hadn’t gone the whole hog with the brakes as well. You’d need to buy the levers without the brake callipers (or sell the callipers on, which can be a good idea if you get a good deal on the package), buy some Shimano (or Shimano compatible) post mount callipers and some extra widget for fitting the hose into the levers. It’s what my brother did with his CDF.

What brakes do you have currently? Those 4700 levers will be horrible with Avid BB callipers but I don’t think CDFs came with them by 2015.
audaxer
Posts: 25
Joined: 13 Jan 2009, 3:34pm

Re: Shimano Tiagra 4700 levers with 4600 everything else

Post by audaxer »

thanks for the levers tip. The brakes are Hayes CX Expert. No complaints whatsoever, just getting difficult to find replacement pads for them as they're no longer made. Prefer to keep the disc brakes cable operated. If I can push to the cost of the GRX levers I might just do that if they will work with the cable operated CX Experts.

Waiting to hear back on whether the 4700/GRX rear derailleur will work with the Shimano Deore XT M771 10 Speed Cassette 11-36 for a truly low gear touring experience! Currently have 11-34 with the 4600 levers.
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