A retrograde step?

[Mick F]

As a result of discussing DT levers in another thread, and suggesting I might have a go at fitting mine with my 10sp Triple, I had a go.

I've just come back from a 2mile test ride and can confirm that they work absolutely fine! I have yet to give a decent test - maybe early next week - but I can see no reason that I should have any problems.

I found the changes to be sweet and crisp, and silent too. None of that clicking from the ratchets. Also, I could change gear quicker from one end of the bock to the other. Campag Ergos can go up-ratio in one movement/pass of the button, but it's a long downward and stiff press. Coming back up the block to the low ratios, you can only go three clicks at a time, so to go from a high gear to a low gear takes a deal of "sawing" at the paddle.

DT levers OTOH, move smoothly, simply, quickly and completely all in one movement. At the moment, I'm smitten by the idea of going back to DT levers, but the disadvantage is that you have to take your hands off the 'bars to change gear, though I was always in the habit of using both levers with just my right hand. The thing is, I did that for years and years and thought nothing about it, but Ergos make it simple - plus you can brake and change gear at the same time.

I'll hang fire on making any more judgements until I've had a good ride next week.

[thirdcrank]

That looks a bit like a bit of a timid compromise to me. What about a double clanger with the lever near the bottom bracket and a rear changer (Roubaix?) where a rod down the seatstay releases the q/r so the wheel can move forwards or back to keep the chain in tension? Come to think of it, even that sound a bit of a softie thing to do so you should consider a double fixed hub and wing nuts. Oh, ho. A little bird tells me that's all the rage - pixie or some such, or perhaps it's a plip-plop.

[Valbrona]

To think there is a whole generation these days that have never used DT shifters. Miguel Indurain and I had a solidarity pact, in as much as we both delayed the switch to Ergo Levers.

Electronic shifting, of course, now gives the opportunity to shift at numerous hand hold positions. Me, I would like a microchip implanted in my brain that senses my wish to change gears, and then changes them. David Icke is a visionary.

[snibgo]

Mechs and levers? Pah. A Real Cyclist™ clouts the chain with his heel.

[Jezrant]

A Real Cyclist™ rides a fixie.

[thirdcrank]

A Real Cyclist™ rides a fixie.

So much more macho than Campy.

[Mick F]

I know you lot are making fun ......

However, the point I'm making is that - possibly - Ergo/STI/Shimergo et al is a waste of time and effort trying to mix and match all the spacings, shifting, pull-length, cassettes and timing - and all the rest of that guff.

If a 10sp cassette can work sweetly and easily with friction levers, why the heck to we need complicated indexing?

[reohn2]

A Real Cyclist™ rides a fixie.

So much more macho than Campy.

Yep agreed! but real cyclists walk!



PS Mick,i'll give the D/T shifters a week at most.............go on prove me wrong

[DaveP]

I only made it to drop bar indexing (Shimergo) last year, and I have to say I'm enjoying it so far, but I can see that it might not be a long term luxury. I have a distinct impression that the future marketing activities - Ooops! I mean product development of course - of Shimano et al will result in so much built in obsolence that I will end up returning to friction shifters out of sheer economic necessity.
Guess what?
I'm not afraid!

[Mick F]

Mick,i'll give the D/T shifters a week at most.............go on prove me wrong

No doubt you are right. I admit it. I also expect it. This is an experiment after all.

I still wonder why we MUST have this stuff when the old methods work well - even with a 10sp cassette.

DaveP: I'm not afraid either. If this is a success and I actually like it - and there is a possibility I may like it - I may keep the friction DT shifters. ...... but I don't know quite yet.

[Trigger]

You could always mount them on Kelly take offs so you can have the shifters up at the "cockpit", I must admit I fancy trying the Kelly idea once the bike is actually up and running. I use indexed DT shifters and the shifts are crisp and quick.

[thirdcrank]

... why ... do we need complicated indexing?

We don't need any innovation OTOH, we'd all be running round in the altogether if we didn't select the more useful developments and make the most of them. There are some side issues, such as planned obsolesence, but most innovations only succeed if they find a market.

Perhaps the greatest advantage of STI/ Ergo etc is the ability to change gear while holding the bars with both hands - very useful when climbing. There are, of course, other bar-mounted gear-changing systems but they tend to be in the "hard to find" category*. I suppose that could be down to a Campag / Shimano conspiracy but they do market bar end shifters which only have a niche market.

* Eg the only UK hit for Kelly Take-Off I could find with a quick google was SJS, but I can't find them on their website, which could be me, of course.

[snibgo]

I shouldn't take the mick because I'm on the side of simplicity. D/Ts work for me.

Kellys would be cute, but I fear I would keep groping for absent D/T levers.

[Vorpal]

Didn't the road racers switch from DT to bar end, to make it harder to anticipate the gear changes, or something like that?

Clearly a retorograde step to go back to that.

Never let anyone anticipate your shifts. Especially just before the big climb

[reohn2]

Mick,i'll give the D/T shifters a week at most.............go on prove me wrong

No doubt you are right. I admit it. I also expect it. This is an experiment after all.

I still wonder why we MUST have this stuff when the old methods work well - even with a 10sp cassette.

DaveP: I'm not afraid either. If this is a success and I actually like it - and there is a possibility I may like it - I may keep the friction DT shifters. ...... but I don't know quite yet.

If you really want to keep the d/t shifters buy a pair of Kelly Take Offs,almost as ergo friendly as STI/Campag Ergo's