Switching STIs round or alternatives

willbevan

Hi all,.

I have a minor issue, after basically destroying my right wrist in a racing accident, even a follow up op hasnt helped to much with this issue.

I struggle to chain gear with my right hand, the issue is changing down when I'm going up hill as my wrist has limited strength, I have been working with a physio and it may improve a little......

I am trying to think of options here.... and any options would be appricaitied.

I have considered

1. Switching right and left STIs - Won't work since the levers would then swing out... (can you get STIs round the other way?)

2. putting a bar end shifter in the end of the right drop bar and having this change the rear mech - no sure it will be much better

3. Putting a rapid rise MTB mech on the back - favouring this, as if im a little slower chaning to smaller gears at the back its not so much of a pain as the current situation

4.Electirc shifting - cost is prohibitive really.....

5. grip shift (not that im sure how you would mount that on a drop bar road bike) - can't turn my wrist enoug now

6. using a MTB shifter mounted to the top of the bar - a little clumbsy and I struggle pushing this anyway on my MTB....

Nothing is jumping out except a rapid rise rear mech...

Any input would be greatly appricaited!

Will

pastey_boy

my seem retro but what about traditional downtube shifters ? still made and very light. would be a very light action to when paired with some quality cables.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=34336

Buckled_Rims

pastey_boy wrote:

my seem retro but what about traditional downtube shifters ? still made and very light. would be a very light action to when paired with some quality cables.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=34336

+1 The last pair of downshifters I had were very smooth (although only had 6 gears to deal with). I still miss them, but not sure if you'd like to move your hand for 10 gear ranges.

Also as mentioned, bar end shifters are a possibility. You can extend the lever for more leverage.

MRadd

Trying to remember the exact spec, but in the workshop at Performance Cycles, before christmas. We had a Campag equiped bike, which was running the cables exactly the way round you want! So it is do-able.

Even though I serviced it, I'm still struggling to rememeber if it was Veloce or Mirage. I have a feeling it was Veloce.

I will double check tomorrow when I'm there for our Mini Sportive series... and let you know!

Monty Dog

Older style Ergos simply rely on a ratchet, there are enough clicks in the left shifter to work a rear mech.

willbevan

Buckled_Rims wrote:

pastey_boy wrote:

my seem retro but what about traditional downtube shifters ? still made and very light. would be a very light action to when paired with some quality cables.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=34336

+1 The last pair of downshifters I had were very smooth (although only had 6 gears to deal with). I still miss them, but not sure if you'd like to move your hand for 10 gear ranges.

Also as mentioned, bar end shifters are a possibility. You can extend the lever for more leverage.

I may end up going campag if you could find out about that, that would be really apppriciarted!

willbevan

I had not through about a down tube shifters, how do you get them 'stuck' to a normal frame, and in my case a carbon frame with odd shaped tubes?

Monty, does the clicks move the right amount on a left hand shifter to work with the rear mech?

Monty Dog

I can't remember exactly - it was a mistake on my part a few years ago when I was recabling a bike - half asleep I mistakenly connected the front shifter to the rear mech and got it all working then realised something was wrong.

LangerDan

IIRC, the paralympian Sarah Storey has her bikes modified to put all the shifting on one side - an STI for the rear and a bar-end control for the front. If the LHS Campag Ergo works for the rear, you could put the bar-end on the same side too.





.

willbevan

many thanks!

willbevan

a kind soul has sorted me a rapid rise rear mech to try, i will try that and let you all know how I get on!