Which index shifters?
secretsam
Posts: 5,120
Am about to bite the bullet, get the bike sprayed and add some new bits 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!)
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.
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there was a reason STIs were created... and not to stop people having affairsBMC 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) - FCN30 -
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.
Mike0 -
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 ADX0 -
Just be careful of the LH 105FCN 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_paris0 -
I have a pair of 9 spd Sora shifters practically brand new, yours for a paltry £30!0
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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.0 -
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!0
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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.
Mike0 -
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 Bicycles0 -
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) - FCN30 -
Oops, I completely mis-read that.
Brake hoods for me, these days.0 -
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_paris0 -
I would rather have down tube shifters than Sora shifters. Sorry.Cannondale Supersix / CAAD9 / Boardman 9.0 / Benotto 30000
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oscarbudgie wrote:I would rather have down tube shifters than Sora shifters. Sorry.
don't be silly!0 -
holybinch wrote:
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 - 20170 -
holybinch wrote:
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 thing0 -
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_paris0 -
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.0