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TECH NEWS
Shimano Tiagra groupset gets improved shifters and brakes, new 48-34t chainset option
Shimano has updated its fourth-tier Tiagra groupset with new Dual Control hydraulic brake levers, mimicking 105, Ultegra and Dura-Ace, bringing better ergonomics to entry-level road bikes as well as improved mechanical shifting performance.
Tiagra, Shimano’s most expensive 10-speed groupset, was last updated in 2016 and ushered in hydraulic disc brakes at a new lower price. It used the ill-fated BR-RS405 brake levers with a hood shape taken from 105, universally derided for their looks, even if it was actually comfortable to ride with.
New Tiagra replaces those ugly hoods with ST-4720-L/R echoing the current design seen on more expensive Shimano groupsets.
Along with improved ergonomics, Shimano has also updated the shifting mechanism which promises quicker rear gear changes “allowing riders to rifle through the cassette to gear up for a sprint or gear down for a climb” says Shimano.
The updated brake levers now also offer the same short reach lever version as found on 105 and Ultegra. The ST-4725-L/R levers are designed for riders with smaller hands, as well as shorter reach the lever has a more outboard profile for easier access.
We’re seeing a push towards lower gears on allroad/gravel/adventure bikes and the new Tiagra groupset is now offered with a 48-34T chainset alongside the existing 52-36t and 50-34t options. The new lower ration chainset has a reduced 14t gap between the big and small rings which reduces the number of compensation shifts needed on the cassette.
The last update to Tiagra is a new 12mm E-THRU disc brake hubset (HB-RS470/FH-RS470) available in 10 and 11-speed and with 28 or 32 hole drillings.
Availability is expected in June 2019. More info at www.shimano.com
David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes.
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10 comments
Finally got mine changed. In short: More comfortable, slightly but still noticably better shifting and yes they do look better. Worth the upgrade? Had it been an option I would have waited until they are bundled at a reduced price. Also the brake hose connectors are not the same as on the previous model so it was not as plug and play as one would have hoped.
Shimano is missing a trick if thats the case, they should bundle the new Tiagra Levers with an SLX M7000 post mount calliper at a decent price, and they will sell shedloads, and practically chase TRP out of the market.
Loads of people would want to do that upgrade I reckon!
You can get flat mount caliper to post mount frame adapters: https://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-mount-adaptor-front-post-to-flat-road/
And vice versa: https://www.merlincycles.com/trp-flat-mount-to-post-disc-brake-adaptor-8...
That's cool! Is the matching calliper on the new Tiagra Hydraulic 4720 shifters flat mount only? There must literally millions of post mount cable operated calliper'd bikes (like, the last six years worth!) that could now be upgraded to full Hydraulic at a reasonable cost.
What post-mount Shimano calliper is recommended to go with these?
Any mountain bike post-mount caliper will work
An upgrade I'd like to make at some point, but the cost of the levers alone is only a few quid shy of the levers *and* flat mount calipers together. It'd be nice if there was a similarly priced package using post mount calipers, but there simply isn't. Boo hiss.
Biggest news in this announcement is the availability of a 48t outer in the current Shimano 4 arm offset pattern.
Parents of U14 racers in the UK are going to be rejoicing.
If you buy a new bike with say Ultegra R8000, the only aftermarket 48t ring you can buy is the Tacx one, and that requires you to file off some of the ring to make it fit.
(Usual gearing for an U14 is 48x16).
Exactly, Shiano have done themselves no favours by not producing smaller outer rings when they went to 4 arm, I won't go to 4 arm if I can help it, still sticking with my FSA K force light on the race bike which I can fit any size I want and 5 arm on the triple too, does this mean that Shimano have now binned the triple for Tiagra? If so, for shame, sold out to the dust-bin lid cassette route which IMHO is a shit 'solution' for lower gearing.
My Anyroad 2015 with Tiagra non-series components is 34/48. Well, was until I made it 1x with Absoluteblack chainring.
Part code is FC-R460.
In fact you can buy my sub 1000mile chainrings as I'll never use them.
Hmmm, not exactly a huge market segment.
2 teeth is not really enough IMO. Shimano could/should have provided something with a 46T outer ring, which IIRC works well across youth categories from U12 to U16 with either 700c or 650c wheels.
46/34 or 46/32 would be a far better OEM option for most of us less youthful types too. Shimano's new GRX 46/30 double chainset is a good option for those wanting lower gears and could save some people having to fork out for dinner-plate cassettes.