Downtube to STI shifters

stvjon41
stvjon41 Posts: 3
edited July 2012 in Workshop
Hi guys,
I have purchased a cheap road bike (Reflex Tornado 6 speed) to get into cycling. 131992856.jpg

I have been out a few times, but i find the gear shifters location on the downtube awkward, making feel uncomfortable changing gear. Therefore, the bike hasnt been used.

Is there anyway to upgrade (as cheap as possible) to sti shifters?

I can post close up pictures of certain areas if you need them, but please speak in layman's terms please as i am still getting used to all the fancy lingo :D

Thanks guys

Comments

  • centimani
    centimani Posts: 467
    A cheap way ?...no.
    Your bike is 6 speed, you cant get 6 speed in road STIs,
    8 speed is minimum with any modern equipment so youve got to get another rear wheel, 8 speed cassette, shifters, maybe some downtube bosses or some method of fixing the cable adjusters to the downtube, rear derailleur..etc etc...it starts to get expensive.

    I suppose you could try some 6 speed revoshifters either side of the stem. I think some minor manufacturers have done that. A bit naff, but i dont see why not.
  • stigofthedump
    stigofthedump Posts: 331
    I don't think any one has ever made 6 speed sti shifters for road bikes. You can get 8 speed, but they would be old (try ebay) and you would have to change your rear wheel. More problematically your frame would not take an 8 speed rear wheel because the rear drop out spacing would be wrong.

    Sorry to be negative, but I think you are stuck with downtube shifters on this bike. Best advice is to get out more and learn to love what you have got. As you get fitter (and worry less about gear changing) you might decide it is worth upgrading to a better bike complete with sti and all the rest. Your bike is probably not the best or lightest, but there is a lot of satisfaction beating the terrain (and other cyclists) against the odds. BTW welcome to the road.
  • stvjon41
    stvjon41 Posts: 3
    Poop. Will try and sell it on and get another bike then me thinks. The damn downtube shifters I can't get on with. Serves my right for rushing in without knowing what I'm looking for.

    Thanks for the responses anyway guys. Quick and to the point....even if not the point I wanted to hear:)
  • bottom_bracket
    bottom_bracket Posts: 76
    the only thing I would say is that down tube shifters were the norm for amateurs and pros for decades, I myself got on fine with them in the 80s and would agree with the other guys suggesting you stick with it and get used to it. There really is no economic sense in swapping the entire drivetrain out on this bike, get a few rides behind you and I'm sure that you will find them OK, if not as flashy as modern STI systems. Save your cash and when you're sure that you love it get a modern bike with all the modern bits.
  • bill57
    bill57 Posts: 454
    If you've just started cycling, I would suggest you persevere for a while with the downtube shifters before rushing to buy another bike. If they're properly set up and indexing correctly there's nothing wrong with them at all, you're possibly nervous at taking your hands of the bars to change gear, but ultimately you need to learn to do this for all sorts of reasons. They may even make you a stronger rider; when it's less convenient to change gear, you may learn to cope better with the one you're in.
  • MichaelW
    MichaelW Posts: 2,164
    We all used to use DT shifters in the old days, it took me about 1 hr to learn how.
    The only real disadvantage is when you are haring down a steep hill, you really cant change. Apart from that, I find them quicker and more direct than my Tiagra or Campy Mirage shifters.
    Level your saddle, straighten your bars and use the hood position to shift from.

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