Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Possibly ridiculous idea

OK, I have a 2009 Jamis Aurora. I have been having a lot of trouble with the indexing and general feel of operating the front derailleur. It is a Tiagra brifter, and a Tiagra FD. This has brought back into my mind a pet peeve that I have always had. I have always preferred friction shifting on the front mech.

What I was thinking of doing was to keep the Tiagra shifter to use as my brake lever, but to disconnect the shifter cable. I would then buy either a set, or if I can find just the front shifter, some bar ends and connect that to the FD. I may just buy the set, so that when I decide to switch, or my RD brifter goes out, I can just slot it in.

My question to you all is, is this a stupid idea mechanically? I know that it will not be the most aesthetically pleasing choice in the short term, but I'm not all that aesthetically pleasing in bike clothes anyways, so no one will notice. :lol:

Thanks, I am asking this here because I am afraid of getting endlessly ridiculed in the Mechanic forum.

Eat 6 donuts and adjust the front dérailleur cable.

It will work just fine.

Unless you really like the feel of the gigantic STI hoods (one of my main reasons for not switching to them!) you might consider just swapping the entire system out now for a pair of barcons and some plain brake levers.

BTW - Don't sweat it about the Mechanics Forum. I ask all kinds of dumb questions over there. Go look at my current thread about pitted hub cones, for example.

Other than looks, there should be no problem. You are talking about using bar end shifters, correct?

Eat 6 donuts


Oh God, just what I need, an excuse to eat 6 donuts. Krispy Kreme here I come.

It will work just fine.

Unless you really like the feel of the gigantic STI hoods (one of my main reasons for not switching to them!) you might consider just swapping the entire system out now for a pair of barcons and some plain brake levers.

BTW - Don't sweat it about the Mechanics Forum. I ask all kinds of dumb questions over there. Go look at my current thread about pitted hub cones, for example.

It's not necessarily that I love the feel, although I really don't have any problems with them, I just like the way that they shift the RD. IT is smooth and easy, never had problems. Plus, I shift the RD more, and since that is my main hand position, it is nice not having to move that hand to shift the RD. I am also a little anxious about going full barcon, but I want to eventually, so this would be a nice way to ease into it.

As for the FD, I don't shift it very often, and usually just between 2 and 3 with a few instances of the granny. I don't mind moving my hand to shift the FD since it is not usually done often.

I didn't find the transition to barcons very difficult, but I've got that semi-retro-grouchy aspect about me. I don't even run my barcons on indexed mode; they're full friction.

It works for Lance
http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff335/Popo_A/LanceArmstrong.png

I love my bar ends, I would never consider going back to brifters. I have never ever had a mechanical difficulty with my bar ends, in fact when I crashed earlier this year, the shifter was violently ripped out of the end of my handlebar and continued to shift like normal in friction mode. I actually still use that shifter, its slightly mangled from direct impact on pavement, but still shifts like butter.

Does everyone really have problems with brifters? I don't have any problems with mine, but maybe I am not picky enough.

I used barcon's on two bikes and never had a problem. I've never used Tiagra or Sora brifters, but have never had any shifting problems with 105, Ultegra or Campy Chorus. I LIKE the thicker brifter of Shimano over other hoods, Just less tension on my hands

I used barcon's on two bikes and never had a problem. I've never used Tiagra or Sora brifters, but have never had any shifting problems with 105, Ultegra or Campy Chorus. I LIKE the thicker brifter of Shimano over other hoods, Just less tension on my hands
My bike came with Tiagra's. The problem I had was with the front shifting. Mine was a triple and in the middle ring there was half shift trim position so the chain wouldn't rub the front derailer when you were on the largest cogs of the cassette. it was nearly impossible to hit this trim position without over shooting and dropping to the small chainring. I think it was because the new components were very stiff and the small lever on the brifters was very flexy. After i had ridden the bike about 1000 miles it improved somewhat. I replaced the brifters with some used 105's I found on craigslist and never had the problem again.

I have 2 bikes with brake shifters, campy chorus and campy record and have not had any problem with them. I have dura ace bar cons on my TT bike and sometimes the left shifter gets loose and will slip.

I broke my left RSX brifter, but I am too poor to get a replacement, so I just went with a downtube shifter for the front derailleur. My bike does have real shifter bosses.