Touring Equipment

You can always fit a 11-28t cassette (and a longer derailleur) to compensate, give you a little bit more range.

Hah, the reason for the cassette + derailleur is that it work out a bit cheaper than a triple crankset and give a similar range, although with the triple you get more choice of ratios.

With the 11-28 cassette, you get a gear inches of 32 to 121.

With a triple chainring (using your original 11-25 cassette), you'll get a gear inches of 32 to 121 (using the Shimano Tiagra 30-39-50 cassette as a reference).

I think the Shimano Sora shifter work with double and triple, will double check that at work today, however what about bar-end shifter? you can have the option of indexed and friction at the same time, a great option if the indexed is out of tune, simply switch it in friction mode solved this.

I know the Dura Ace one does, but not sure if the Ultegra do as well.

How do I find out if I've got 3400 shifters? Can't find it online will it be on the shifters them selves, I've noticed when I change chain ring there in one 'stop' on the shifter which isn't being used - maybe this is just to tune it though?

And thanks for the help Ed, I await your response!

Right thanks for the help Ed.

I've decided on the following;

New 105 shifters,
105 triple chainset
tiagra front triple derailuer
tiagra rear derailuer
105 10 speed cassette
10 speed chain

I've worked out it will come in at about £250 - not bad for a 10 speed triple upgrade.

Half the reason for going for 10 speed shifters and cassette was that it future proofs it somewhat. I don't really want to chuck £150 on 9 speed shifters and find out they are obsolete in a few years time.

I've read a few forums on people audax/touring on 10 speeds and they've got along just fine so that's not a worry either.