Using Shimano 105 help

boycee73

Hi,

I have just bought a new bike with Shimano 105 groupset. My old bike had Campagnolo groupset with the thumbshifters. My question is am I missing something or is it so much harder it is to change gears using Shimano. I obvioulsy dont have the thumbshifters but when I change gears especially onto the top chainring I seem to apply the brakes as well.

Any help welcome please!!

Headhuunter

boycee73 wrote:

Hi,

I have just bought a new bike with Shimano 105 groupset. My old bike had Campagnolo groupset with the thumbshifters. My question is am I missing something or is it so much harder it is to change gears using Shimano. I obvioulsy dont have the thumbshifters but when I change gears especially onto the top chainring I seem to apply the brakes as well.

Any help welcome please!!

I think it's personal preference. Personally I have no probs with the Shimano system and prefer it to the Campag one. I find it hard to shift the thumb shifters from the drops, it's much easier with the Shimano system. However my dad prefers Campag, he seems to have the same issues as you in that he ends up applying the brakes whilst changing gears...

turnerjohn

IMO Campag is far harder and stiffer then Shimano; which is slick and smooootthhhh ! Maybe worth checking the cables aren't getting snagged or have been routed the correct way; the shop you got it from should be able to check it over. If your breaks set tight (ie; not much movement before they hit the rim) could try letting them out a little. If the mechs have been set up correctly then the shifts should be buttery smooth. Other then that some practise really !

Headhuunter

turnerjohn wrote:

IMO Campag is far harder and stiffer then Shimano; which is slick and smooootthhhh ! Maybe worth checking the cables aren't getting snagged or have been routed the correct way; the shop you got it from should be able to check it over. If your breaks set tight (ie; not much movement before they hit the rim) could try letting them out a little. If the mechs have been set up correctly then the shifts should be buttery smooth. Other then that some practise really !

Yeah, Shimano I have used has always been much smoother and lighter, you can literallyu shift with your little finger, whereas Campag always seems to require a good 2 or 3 finger heave. Having said that I have never tried Record or Super Record (top end Campag)

Mr Dog

If you bought it from your LBS take it back and explain. It may be a set up issue. Stick the bike on a turbo and practice. But by no means should you need to apply any braking pressure. My wife has 105 on her Giant tcr and it is great kit. 8)

amaferanga

Sounds like you're pushing the lever the wrong way - try pushing it straight across and not pulling on it at all.

Nifer

I have just changed from MTB to Trek 1.7 with 105 and I've found changing top chainring tricky to get used to - on the RH thumbshift it's just a case of a little tap for smooth gear changing, but on the left hand side I was almost double shifting, then my husband pointed out that I just need to give it a good push for longer :oops:

graeme_s-2

The first few times I rode with STIs I had exactly the same problem, and would accidently yank the brakes on while changing gear. With practice you get used to it.

antlaff

Graeme_S wrote:

The first few times I rode with STIs I had exactly the same problem, and would accidently yank the brakes on while changing gear. With practice you get used to it.

Same here - didn't take long to get used to it - i now push slightly up and across to change now.

Blacktemplar

Could also be down to the size of your hands - I had the same problem until I adjusted the reach of the lever a little.

northernneil

sounds like you are pulling rather than just applying lateral force. I ride 105 and its fine but have on occasion pulled the lever as well, usually when shifting whilst looking behind so my normal position is 'out' if you see what i mean.

try adjusting the levers a little outward ?

turboslave

I had the same problem last year when I switched over from campag to shim, I also couldnt work it out and thought there was a fault with the shifter, however it really is a case of getting used to the lever movement, with campag you can move the lever across and towards you with no application of the brake lever due to the shift lever being behind the brake lever, with shimano you are using the same brake/gear lever for the front shift, therefore if you shift the lever in the way you used to with campy then you apply the brake causing a sudden judder which is the front brake just when you are not ready and its a little unerving, now you are aware you will soon no longer suffer from this isue and will as others have stated find shimano to be a smoother and easier gear change over campy.

atb

TS