Re: pre STI shifters for racing
Posted: 3 Dec 2017, 7:12pm
My experience and comments on the 3 systems:
STi / Ergo / Tap needs different cable outers so the pull does not change when the handlebars are turned, if using brake cable outers there is a small change in length which leads to the mech moving slightly. This probably didn't matter with 5 speeds, but with more speeds (9/10/11) may mean a noisy drive chain or inadvertent gear change. Multi cog changes can be a pain as multiple pushes are needed to go across the cassette - I often need this due to wide spacing between the 2 front chainrings, to maintain cadence a double and multi shift is required.
Bar end changers have some advantages / disadvantages (at least for me): In friction mode you can use whatever number of sprockets you like at the back, this is quite useful if your bike is multipurpose, e.g commuting / fast day ride / touring in flat, hilly and mountain areas. Banging your knees on them is an additional hazard as you start / stop. A double shift can be more tricky than the other systems as two hands are definitely required at the same time. Braking and shifting is not so easy. Shifting across as many cogs as you like is easy and just one move, rather than many taps or pushes.
Down tube shifters are lighter, easier to maintain, cheaper and allow any combination of gear shifts simultaneously with one hand - I regularly shift both front and rear mechs with my right hand with the rear shifter in the crook of the first finger and thumb and the front changer operated at the same time with either of the said digits - this does not take long to master.
As for pros the current STi / Ergo / Tap systems are a must for speed as others have said.
STi / Ergo / Tap needs different cable outers so the pull does not change when the handlebars are turned, if using brake cable outers there is a small change in length which leads to the mech moving slightly. This probably didn't matter with 5 speeds, but with more speeds (9/10/11) may mean a noisy drive chain or inadvertent gear change. Multi cog changes can be a pain as multiple pushes are needed to go across the cassette - I often need this due to wide spacing between the 2 front chainrings, to maintain cadence a double and multi shift is required.
Bar end changers have some advantages / disadvantages (at least for me): In friction mode you can use whatever number of sprockets you like at the back, this is quite useful if your bike is multipurpose, e.g commuting / fast day ride / touring in flat, hilly and mountain areas. Banging your knees on them is an additional hazard as you start / stop. A double shift can be more tricky than the other systems as two hands are definitely required at the same time. Braking and shifting is not so easy. Shifting across as many cogs as you like is easy and just one move, rather than many taps or pushes.
Down tube shifters are lighter, easier to maintain, cheaper and allow any combination of gear shifts simultaneously with one hand - I regularly shift both front and rear mechs with my right hand with the rear shifter in the crook of the first finger and thumb and the front changer operated at the same time with either of the said digits - this does not take long to master.
As for pros the current STi / Ergo / Tap systems are a must for speed as others have said.