Shimano 10sp road mtb compatibility

[Nevis]

I've been offered a pair of Tiagra 10sp brifters which I was hoping to use on my Shimano 10sp mtb drivetrain.

A quick duckduckgo suggests 10sp mtb and road gear is not compatibile :(

Is there any way to bodge it? Maybe a jtek type widget, a sram rear mech or bailer twine perhaps?

[ScotRoutes]

A 9 speed MTB rear mech would solve that end.

Front is more problematic. You should be able to bodge a 2x system by careful use of limit screws I reckon. 3x? I think you're goosed.

[Mark E]

As above, I'm running a 9 speed xt mech with a pair of tiagra brifters and an 11-42 sun race cassette and it works fine. I've left the front tiagra mech on with a cx50 chain set and rings. I figured the large cassette offsets the fact that you can't run smaller rings on the front. Wouldn't be low enough for me for proper mtb though!

[Pickers]

A Sora or Tiagra 3x front mech should see you right, I run one on my tourer and it's fine down to 24t inner

[Nevis]

Thanks for all the info

I think you're goosed.

I think you're right! Doesn't seem any point having to change anything / everything else just to get the levers to work.

They'll just have to sit in the parts bin until I find a sensible use for them.

Bum!

[ianfitz]

I seem to remember hearing, but have no experience of this, that tiagra 10 speed is a different pull ratio to 'normal' Shimano 10 speed.

I think because it was developed from the 11 speed shifters.

There's a number a j-tec shiftmate s that will tweek cable ratios and allow you to use all sorts of 'impossible' combinations.

Speak to SJS cycles who stick the various options.