10 speed STI shifting

sletti
sletti Posts: 32
edited June 2013 in Workshop
I have two 10 speed road bikes.

One has ST-7800 levers pulling FD-5700 and RD-7700. The shifts are smooth, light and utterly reliable.

My other has ST-5700 levers pulling FD-6700 and RD-6700, but the shifters feel heavy, almost to a point of being stiff, is this typical? Now that the gear cables run under the bar tape, is this a price that must be paid? I also find their bulkier form less pleasant to hold on to.

I also have an old 8 speed banger that is lovely and smooth using ST-6400 on RD-5600 and FD-6500.

Just wonder what your comparative experiences are before I Sell the ST-5700s and start looking for a second hand set of ST-7800 levers (anyone wanna swap?).

Thanks

Stig

Comments

  • me-109
    me-109 Posts: 1,915
    sletti wrote:
    10 speed STI shiting
    :D

    Campag owner?
  • sletti
    sletti Posts: 32
    Me-109 wrote:
    sletti wrote:
    10 speed STI shiting
    :D

    Campag owner?

    Doh! Thread title ammended! :lol::lol::lol:

    And if by some obscure twist of fate, the bike where the problem occurs until very recently has had 10 speed Campag Centaur on it, and without starting what I assume is a usual embittered row between the Wop-fans and the Jap-fans, I'll admit that I did switch back to Shimano for "ergonomic" reasons. :wink:
  • Bozman
    Bozman Posts: 2,518
    Shimano's first attempt at hidden sti cables is without a doubt shite, I've got 6700 on one bike and the lack of quality has stopped me upgrading the 7800 on my other bike, in fact I've considered swapping new for old because of the difference in quality.
    If I hear of improvement with the new 9000 I'll have a go with that.
  • tonye_n
    tonye_n Posts: 832
    edited June 2013
    This bang on tally's with my experience.
    I have on one bike st-7800 double, 6700 everything else..... Shifts so smooth time after time.
    I have on my most recent bike st-6700, 6700 everything. The front shifting is fine, marginally stiffer than with the other bike.
    The right-hand (rear) shifter is quite a bit stiffer than with old dura ace. Gets progressively stiffer as you go up the cogs as well.
    I think this is due to the tighter bends of the shifter cable when routed under the bar-tape.
    No problems with accuracy or reliability mind. Just more resistance to the shifting action.

    Lots of anecdotal evidence on the web confirming this as well. Apparently if you use some ultra-loobed cables like Gore Ride-on cables it does make things a bit better.

    I think this was one of the reasons Shimano took so long to come on board with routing the shift cables under the bar tape.
  • mister p
    mister p Posts: 405
    I have had two sets of 6700 Ultegra and one set of 5700 105 STIs and the shifting has been fine on both of them. But I do use Shimano SP41 outer with the specific PTFE coated inner and I spent time making sure the outer is nicely curved and all ends are cleanly cut.
  • sletti
    sletti Posts: 32
    mister p wrote:
    I have had two sets of 6700 Ultegra and one set of 5700 105 STIs and the shifting has been fine on both of them. But I do use Shimano SP41 outer with the specific PTFE coated inner and I spent time making sure the outer is nicely curved and all ends are cleanly cut.

    Interesting. I'm using jagwire lined outers with teflon inners. Ends are cut cleanly and flattened with a fine grinding wheel. This is the same combination that I use on my ST7800s that feel light as a feather, and as positive as a bucketfull of protons. I chaged to using the supplied Shimano inners and it still does not feel right.

    It shifts fine, I just miss the feel on my 7800s. :(
  • Bozman
    Bozman Posts: 2,518
    sletti wrote:
    mister p wrote:
    I have had two sets of 6700 Ultegra and one set of 5700 105 STIs and the shifting has been fine on both of them. But I do use Shimano SP41 outer with the specific PTFE coated inner and I spent time making sure the outer is nicely curved and all ends are cleanly cut.

    Interesting. I'm using jagwire lined outers with teflon inners. Ends are cut cleanly and flattened with a fine grinding wheel. This is the same combination that I use on my ST7800s that feel light as a feather, and as positive as a bucketfull of protons. I chaged to using the supplied Shimano inners and it still does not feel right.

    It shifts fine, I just miss the feel on my 7800s. :(

    I'm dreading the day mine fail.
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    Tried running a light oil into the shifter?
    - - - - - - - - - -
    On Strava.{/url}
  • mitchgixer6
    mitchgixer6 Posts: 729
    Just as a comparison, I have 6700 shifters on 2 bikes. Both have Dura Ace inners and outers. One bike has 6700 RD and the other has 5600 RD. The one with the 5600 RD feels much 'looser' than the 6700 RD. They both shift just as well as each other, but the bike with 6700 RD just feels a bit tighter at the lever.
  • cycleclinic
    cycleclinic Posts: 6,865
    The only shimano shifter I have a 7403 ones and they are lovely. When I work on a bike with 6700 and have to set it up I do think the shiting is not up to what I hoped for. I have come to accept it is what is and that is less than brilliant but it works and it is as good as it was when new and the same goes for 7900. My cheap veloce shifters are nicer to use than 6700 ones. I do hope the 6800 STI's will take some trickle down from the 9000 STI's that would be an improvement.
    http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.

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