Cyclocross - Sora brifter vs bar-end shifter

Hello --

Getting ready to build up my CX bike and I was thinking of running 1x8. I haven't had much luck finding a used right shifter so I am looking at getting a single Sora brifter or Ultegra bar-end shifters. The single shifter costs as much as the pair of bar-end shifters.

I am leaning toward the barcons because I am worried about the quality of Sora but if anyone out there uses Sora and has no problem with it, I would probably lean in that direction. It seems like it would be easier to shift in the hoods but it seems like a lot of people like using the barcons? I suppose I could go with a 1x9 and then have the option of buying a single Tiagra.

I've got a 10 year old pair of DA bar-ends that work great.

I'd go barcon, even though I really like the convenience of brifters. My only caveat is that barcons work best with a shallow drop bar, so that you don't have to reach quite as far. Using brifters though, I'd want at least Tiagra, as long as it's modern Tiagra at that (the group was revamped for 2007, it shifts about as welll as old 9 speed 105 IMO).

I'd check ebay... a quick search (http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&dfsp=32&catref=C12&from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=sti+8&sacat=159043%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=85716&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=32%26fsoo%3D2) reveals 2 pair of used 105 8 spd and 2 pair of 600 8spd STI levers. You can probably get a set for 80 bucks, then ebay the left one, or save it in case you want to switch up your build at some point.

I've got 8 speed Sora on my bike, and I really do like the thumb shifter on them as I spend most of my time on the hoods. However, even though that setup works great on the road, I'm not real happy with it at speed in cyclocross conditions. I can just never get it to shift consistently. This may be the fault of something besides the shifters though. Not sure, just FYI.

When I started 'cross on an old 7s road bike I went with Sora shifters and have never had any problems with them.

You can use pre-2006 Campy 9s and and hubbub connect the cable and have a very sweet shifting bike. I ran Mirage that way for a season before going all Campy 9s.

Ron

i also had no problem with sora sti, they work fine. as i see it the tradeoff is that they're less crash resistant than barcons but you're able to shift from the hoods.

I'd check ebay... a quick search (http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&dfsp=32&catref=C12&from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=sti+8&sacat=159043%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=85716&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=32%26fsoo%3D2) reveals 2 pair of used 105 8 spd and 2 pair of 600 8spd STI levers. You can probably get a set for 80 bucks, then ebay the left one, or save it in case you want to switch up your build at some point.

Used STI is always a crap shoot. I wouldn't count on them to last very long.

The Sora shifters work fairly well for the rear shifting, but the lack of trim in the front is a real pain. The bar end gives you very fine control over the front derailleur.

Used STI is always a crap shoot. I wouldn't count on them to last very long.

The Sora shifters work fairly well for the rear shifting, but the lack of trim in the front is a real pain. The bar end gives you very fine control over the front derailleur.

I am a little uneasy buying used brifters on ebay after having a bad experience. I am still looking locally but we'll see.

I stopped by my LBS and tried out the barcons and it was pretty sweet so I think that will be the direction I am headed in. I did noticed that the front shifted very nicely. I appreciate everyone's comments.

Alternatively, you can buy a set of very lightly used (if at all) Veloce ergos. They came on a bike I bought for the wheels, so make me an offer.

Gustaf

I bought a single Campy Veloce shifter at Universal Cycles for $89. I was considering getting barcon but I really love me some brifters. I'm going to be running a 1x9 config with an XT derailleur in the back. This works with campy 10 speed shifters if you rotate the cable clamp on the XT by 90 degrees counter-clockwise. Lots of articles on the net to show you how. I would go with Campy shifters since they are easier to rebuild and are cheaper then the Shimano ones. The other bonus is all the cables are routed under the tape so you have a lower chance of snagging on crap.

I would make the decision based off where I plan on spending my time when racing. If on the hoods, then get a right brifter. Sora is fine. I would go with the 8 speed version though. Heard of some quality issues with the new 9 speed version. If in the drops, I'd go with bar cons. Rarely would someone break one of those.

Here's an option: keep the barends, purchase a set of Pauls thumbies and mount your bar-ends onto the thumbies and shift from the top of your handlebars. You'll only use the shifter levers (much like down tube shifters) and not the barrels that plug into the end of your handlebars. Sora isn't the best and hates dirt. 105 or Ultegra would be better but will cost you a lot more. The barends last a lot longer than STI levers do.

Question: I have a 7speed cluster, I've been told to run an 8speed STI. I've just read above that I can use Campy levers? I'm going to be running DA 7400 deralleurs front and rear, and currently have a set of downtube shifters. From what I understand I can run: downtube, barcon, 8speed shimano STI, and 8/9speed campy levers? Please clarify, because I'm fairly new to this kind of stuff...

I haven't tried running 7s with campy 9 - it should be close and run okay. I do know that the Campy 9 hubbubed to a shimano der will work nicely with Shimano 8. Both the 8s STI and the Campy/Shim mongrel will both be real close but not spot on for the 7 - should be good enough to work well.

Here's the ancient grimoire: http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3946

Hope that helps more than confuses.

Ron