Which index shifters?

secretsam
secretsam Posts: 5,120
edited April 2010 in Commuting chat
Am about to bite the bullet, get the bike sprayed and add some new bits :D including new shifters, which for the first time on the old 531 will be indexed, as I struggle to friction shift 9 speeds at the back.

BUT: do I lash £80 on STIs from Ribble (Sora), or c.£55 on regular brake levers plus either D/T Dura-Ace or bar ends?

The first and last of these options would give me the ability to use the shifters on another bike if needed, but I'd need some cable guides. The D/T shifters are old school but I'm used to them and don't find them a pain, not sure how I'd get on with Bar ends...

Opinions? (Deep breath, here we go!)
It's just a hill. Get over it.

Comments

  • spasypaddy
    spasypaddy Posts: 5,180
    there was a reason STIs were created... and not to stop people having affairs
    BMC TM01 - FCN 0
    Look 695 (Geared) - FCN 1
    Bowman Palace:R - FCN 1
    Cannondale CAAD 9 - FCN 2
    Premier (CX) - FCN 6
    Premier (fixed/SS) - FCN3
  • mudcovered
    mudcovered Posts: 725
    STI's I would say. Especially as from your post it almost sounds like the cheapest option.
    Up until my current CX bike my previous road bikes were down-tube shifters. I wouldn't want to go back to that now. Only downside is that unless the current design has changed the Sora mechanism is not the same as the higher end levers and its really difficult to shift to a smaller cog at the read when you are in the drops.

    Mike
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    STIs, but why not get some eBay? You can get 105, Ultegra and even Dura Ace 9 speeds on there for a lot less than £80.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • holybinch
    holybinch Posts: 417
    Just be careful of the LH 105 :)
    FCN 4(?) (Commuter - Genesis Croix de Fer)
    FCN 3 (Roadie - Viner Perfecta)

    -- Please sponsor me on my London to Paris ride --
    http://www.diabeteschallenge.org.uk/cha ... n_to_paris
  • secretsam
    secretsam Posts: 5,120
    holybinch wrote:
    Just be careful of the LH 105 :)

    eh?
    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • shoulder_of_orion
    shoulder_of_orion Posts: 529
    I have a pair of 9 spd Sora shifters practically brand new, yours for a paltry £30!
  • secretsam
    secretsam Posts: 5,120
    Shoulder of Lamb wrote:
    I have a pair of 9 spd Sora shifters practically brand new, yours for a paltry £30!

    Yes Please!!!!!!

    Pm on the way
    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • kelsen
    kelsen Posts: 2,003
    STIs, though there's something smug and pleasurable about overtaking modern roadies on a retro racer with downtube shifters. My old 80s Raleigh had downtube shifters. However, they're a right pain to shift when sprinting. I wanted to add STI levers but keep the ones on the downtube as a kind of stealth bike. Ended up getting a new bike instead!
  • secretsam
    secretsam Posts: 5,120
    kelsen wrote:
    Ended up getting a new bike instead!

    LOL, that must be the most expensive STIs ever!
    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • Mikelyons
    Mikelyons Posts: 154
    Voted for the STI shifters as I guess that you like the bike in first place if it's worth doing up , so I guess you'll be keeping it for a while.

    Make the investment in STI now & youll not want to go back.

    I'm sure it may take some getting used to , but now is probably the best time when you're doing a rebuild anyway.

    Mike
  • Roastie
    Roastie Posts: 1,968
    Yo Sam, can't remember the last discussion re pant vs. powder. If of interest, I'll be picking up my sis' frame from Armourtex tomorrow. Colour plus clear powder for depth and finish. F&F for £65. Very excited to see how it turns out.

    Not sure if of interest, but I'll be picking a frame up from Armourtex tomorrow.
    David
    Engineered Bicycles
  • spasypaddy
    spasypaddy Posts: 5,180
    armourtex are a fantastic painters.
    BMC TM01 - FCN 0
    Look 695 (Geared) - FCN 1
    Bowman Palace:R - FCN 1
    Cannondale CAAD 9 - FCN 2
    Premier (CX) - FCN 6
    Premier (fixed/SS) - FCN3
  • Agent57
    Agent57 Posts: 2,300
    edited April 2010
    Oops, I completely mis-read that.

    Brake hoods for me, these days.
    MTB commuter / 531c commuter / CR1 Team 2009 / RockHopper Pro Disc / 10 mile PB: 25:52 (Jun 2014)
  • holybinch
    holybinch Posts: 417
    SecretSam wrote:
    holybinch wrote:
    Just be careful of the LH 105 :)

    eh?

    There was a problem with the left hand shifter of the 105.
    Something to be aware of if buying second hand...
    FCN 4(?) (Commuter - Genesis Croix de Fer)
    FCN 3 (Roadie - Viner Perfecta)

    -- Please sponsor me on my London to Paris ride --
    http://www.diabeteschallenge.org.uk/cha ... n_to_paris
  • oscarbudgie
    oscarbudgie Posts: 850
    I would rather have down tube shifters than Sora shifters. Sorry.
    Cannondale Supersix / CAAD9 / Boardman 9.0 / Benotto 3000
  • shoulder_of_orion
    shoulder_of_orion Posts: 529
    oscarbudgie wrote:
    I would rather have down tube shifters than Sora shifters. Sorry.

    don't be silly!
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,440
    holybinch wrote:
    SecretSam wrote:
    holybinch wrote:
    Just be careful of the LH 105 :)

    eh?

    There was a problem with the left hand shifter of the 105.
    Something to be aware of if buying second hand...

    Tiagras too, I've had two go on me. They really don't like it if you have the cable tension exactly right.
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • snellgrove
    snellgrove Posts: 171
    holybinch wrote:
    SecretSam wrote:
    holybinch wrote:
    Just be careful of the LH 105 :)

    eh?

    There was a problem with the left hand shifter of the 105.
    Something to be aware of if buying second hand...

    I think this is due to them being compatible with triple chainsets, when used on a double they need to be setup correctly.

    I've never used anything other than STIs but my vote would be for them.

    Get a second bike for downtube shifters - I will one day, get myself a retro steel machine and 'enjoy' ?? downtube shifting and all that sort of thing :)
  • holybinch
    holybinch Posts: 417
    Nope, there was a real issue with the 105 (and maybe tiagra) shifters.
    Plenty of noise on the forum, if you want more details.
    FCN 4(?) (Commuter - Genesis Croix de Fer)
    FCN 3 (Roadie - Viner Perfecta)

    -- Please sponsor me on my London to Paris ride --
    http://www.diabeteschallenge.org.uk/cha ... n_to_paris
  • secretsam
    secretsam Posts: 5,120
    Roastie wrote:
    Yo Sam, can't remember the last discussion re pant vs. powder. If of interest, I'll be picking up my sis' frame from Armourtex tomorrow. Colour plus clear powder for depth and finish. F&F for £65. Very excited to see how it turns out.

    Not sure if of interest, but I'll be picking a frame up from Armourtex tomorrow.

    Thanks - have decided to use a local firm in Berkhamstead (too much of a pain to get it to Armourtex) so will go with them! Pics when the frame's back, please - am deciding on colour - satin black or baby blue?!?!?!?!
    It's just a hill. Get over it.

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