Upgrading a 7 speed to sti/ergo (on a budget)

Greg · Post by **Greg** » 22 Mar 2007, 9:25pm

Hi all,
I'm looking to upgrade a roadbike from the early 1990s to have sti style lever shifts. It's currently running 2x7 speed Shimano gears. I'd like to do it as cheaply as possible.

Is it really impossible to fit campag ergoshifters for this, ie. am I limited to looking at Shimano kit?

There doesn't seem to be much 7 speed stuff on the market these days. Is it possible to somehow 'stop down' 8 or 9 speed shifters so they only change between 7 gears?

Does anyone have reccomendations of places to look except ebay? I suppose I'm really looking either for some well priced Sora levers or else some legacy shimano stuff.

Thanks
Greg

drossall · Post by **drossall** » 22 Mar 2007, 10:10pm

I'm no expert but try Chris Juden's page on this for starters.

Edwards · Post by **Edwards** » 23 Mar 2007, 5:04pm

I have just fitted my wifes old Shimano 105 levers to my sons Bianchi 7 speed. These levers were directly replaced by new 105 STI. I did howeve replace the rear deraileur with a new cheap £10.00 scram one. This was to get a stronger sping pull to ensure it pulled the lever, this it does very well. Every thing that I have read says Shimano equipement matches up on the rear. Ido not know this for certain but can say the above works. Hope this is of help

Greg · Post by **Greg** » 23 Mar 2007, 6:59pm

Edwards, were the 105 levers 7 speed, 8 speed or what?

Edwards · Post by **Edwards** » 23 Mar 2007, 8:14pm

8 speed replaced with 9 speed both worked on Jackson 105 set up as original 8 with new 9 speed chain to check it all before fitting new deraileur

Edwards · Post by **Edwards** » 23 Mar 2007, 8:29pm

Greg I have sent you a PM but the new levers are 10 speed runing a 9 speed rear

specialist · Post by **specialist** » 26 Mar 2007, 7:42pm

I did this recently on our tandem, you are mainly limited to low end equipment - most likely to find sora, though I got some old rsx shifters so that I didn't have the thumbesifter. There are a few new sora sets about, eg http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/acatalog/i ... 7DPAA.html
or if you hang around on ebay then they do appear.