Shifter upgrade

davidlittle
davidlittle Posts: 6
edited June 2013 in Road buying advice
Hi All,

Picked up a Merida Ride 93 at the beginning of the year. Changed the seat, added some Look Keo's and I've been really happy with everything apart from the exposed gear cables in front of the bars, really clumsy looking and they don't half rattle around. The brake cables are routed under the bar tape which I find much better.

So my question is:

Which shifters would be a good upgrade which route the gear and brake cables under the bar tape? I don't want to spend a fortune and wouldn't mind buying a decent 2012/13 second hand set if need be. They'd also have to be compatible with my Tiagra derailleurs.

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave

Comments

  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    105 I think
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • rubertoe
    rubertoe Posts: 3,994
    smidsy wrote:
    105 I think

    5700 not 5600
    "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

    PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
    B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    Ultegra 6700 should also work but would be more expensive than 105.
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    Ultegra Di2 should also work but would be more expensive than 105
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    SloppySchleckonds wrote:
    Ultegra Di2 should also work but would be more expensive than 105

    Ultegra Di2 shifters wouldn't work with Tiagra non-Di2 derailleurs I'm afraid ;)
  • davidlittle
    davidlittle Posts: 6
    Thanks for the replies.

    The 105 5700's look perfect but they only seem to do 10 speed rear, mine's 9. Would they be compatible or does anyone know if they do 9 speed.

    Suppose I could just change the rear cassette (to 10) and chain and use my current Tiagra derailleur right?
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    Oh thought you had 10 speed tiagra.
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    Ah, 9 speed 105 or Ultegra does not come with hidden cables. A small price to pay for the superior product however.

    My 9 speed Ultegra is loads better than my 10 speed Ultegra.

    Stick with the 9 speed and be done with it.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • davidlittle
    davidlittle Posts: 6
    smidsy wrote:
    Ah, 9 speed 105 or Ultegra does not come with hidden cables. A small price to pay for the superior product however.

    My 9 speed Ultegra is loads better than my 10 speed Ultegra.

    Stick with the 9 speed and be done with it.

    Might be that I just put up with them then.

    What's so bad about 10 speed?
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    10 speed is so much more particular to set up and does not seem to shift as smoothly or quietly as the 9 speed no matter how much you fine tune the indexing. Mind you it could be the damn Shimano chain - I hate them.

    The 9 speed Ultegra is really nice and essentially fit and forget. The newer 10 and 11 speed stuff is just getting too thin.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    Bin the chain for a KMC
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    SloppySchleckonds wrote:
    Bin the chain for a KMC

    Yes indeed. That is what I run on the 9 speed so it would be the only way to truly compare I suppose.

    Anything above 9 speed is still not required IMO - I simply could not find a full 9 speed group set for a reasonable price new. If I could I would be running 9 speed on the Basso as well.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • davidlittle
    davidlittle Posts: 6
    Looks like I'll be sicking with my flappy gear cables then. Seems like more cost/work than I imagined and it mightn't be worth changing if it means going to 10 speed.

    Thanks to all for their input

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