Noob question about shifters

digitaldave
digitaldave Posts: 114
edited July 2009 in Road beginners
Yesterday, I looked at the Trek 1.5 which has Sora shifters that have a combined brake/shift action on one lever, i.e. the part used for braking actually moves when you shift, as opposed to more expensive shifters with a separate gear shifter just behind the brake lever (such as on the Boardman Comp). Being a noob to road riding, and never having used this type of shifter, my worry is that if I'm not careful, it could be easy to shift gear whilst braking with the Sora shifters. Is this a potential problem, or am I worrying over nothing?

Thanks,

Dave.

Comments

  • pickled
    pickled Posts: 439
    Never had a problem with them myself. Go for a test ride. You will soon find out!
  • Mettan
    Mettan Posts: 2,103
    Agreed with Pickled - I've never accidentally changed gear whilst braking.
  • bobtbuilder
    bobtbuilder Posts: 1,537
    I think you will adjust very quickly.

    Look how fast people get used to changing to clipless pedals.

    I have ridden Ultegra shifters for at least the last 10 years, but I test rode a new bike on Saturday with SRAM's doubletap system, and had no problems with the different technique.
  • salsarider79
    salsarider79 Posts: 828
    The amount of movement needed to change gear on Sora shifters means you will not be changing gear by accident. It's just that you'll be moving the brake lever backwards, not inwards.
    You'll be fine. :wink:
    jedster wrote:
    Just off to contemplate my own mortality and inevitable descent into decrepedness.
    FCN 3 or 4 on road depending on clothing
    FCN 8 off road because I'm too old to go racing around.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    All the Shimano range move up to a bigger sprocket (back) or chainwheel (front) by pushing the brake lever inwards. On Tiagra and higher groupsets the second lever behind the brake is for shifting in the opposite direction; with Sora this is achieved using the little thumb lever.

    I have never done any accidental braking / gearchanging on my 105 kit.
  • digitaldave
    digitaldave Posts: 114
    Thanks for the replies everyone, looks like I should be ok with them :).
    keef66 wrote:
    All the Shimano range move up to a bigger sprocket (back) or chainwheel (front) by pushing the brake lever inwards. On Tiagra and higher groupsets the second lever behind the brake is for shifting in the opposite direction; with Sora this is achieved using the little thumb lever.

    Thank for that, I didn't realise that's how they worked :).
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Me neither; I mucked up a few static display bikes by fiddling with the shifters before it dawned on me. (Mind you, the bloke who tried to sell me a discounted 2007 Giant while neglecting to point out it was a womens' specific model probably deserved it.)
  • digitaldave
    digitaldave Posts: 114
    keef66 wrote:
    with Sora this is achieved using the little thumb lever.

    Quick follow up question... Is it actually possible to reach the thumb levers whilst down on the drops? From just putting my hand on one in the shop, it seems like you can't quite reach that far, but it could be different whilst actually riding.
  • themightyw
    themightyw Posts: 409
    Can just about do it - takes a bit of getting used to though.

    First time I used the Sora shifters I did worry that you might accidentally 'steer' the bike while trying to change, as you have to press quite hard, but after 10 minutes using them you'll feel completely comfortable.
  • White Line
    White Line Posts: 887
    digitaldave wrote:
    keef66 wrote:
    with Sora this is achieved using the little thumb lever.

    Quick follow up question... Is it actually possible to reach the thumb levers whilst down on the drops? From just putting my hand on one in the shop, it seems like you can't quite reach that far, but it could be different whilst actually riding.
    Not really. Although, it's perfectly fine to left go for a second and just reach for it. :)
    Emiliana the CAAD9
  • pickled
    pickled Posts: 439
    I have campag Veloce shifters on my bike and they have a thumb lever for shifting down and a lever behind the brake for shifting up.
    It's easy to reach the thumb lever when in the drops, but my drops are compact so the distance isn't as far.
  • White Line
    White Line Posts: 887
    I think the Campag thumb levers are further back than Shimano ones though. :?
    Emiliana the CAAD9
  • Grazy81
    Grazy81 Posts: 196
    I have just bought my first rd bike and i havent had any probs adjusting to the gears but reaching the thumb shift whilst on the drops is impossible for me so depending on your budget i would recomend going for at least the tiagras as in hindsight this is what i should have done.
  • Takis61
    Takis61 Posts: 239
    Campag thumb shifters are accessible from the drops, Sora is not, I've got both, but never really been an issue.
    My knees hurt !

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