Road Cycling - Can I upgrade to STI shifters on my '90 Sirrus with 105?

Hi All!
GREAT SITE...tons of useful info. I just found it and this is my first post. I have a 1990 Specialized Sirrus that I've owned since it was new. It's a great bike, and while over the years my cycling ferver has waned a few times, I'll never lose my love for it. I've upgraded everything on the bike, except the components (I've even had it powdercoated), and now I'd really like to step up to STI shifters. My bike came with the 1990 Shimano 105 component group, and I have no idea which ones to buy to upgrade.

If this can be done, what exact part would I need? And not being a bike mechanic, is this something I can do myself? Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you! :)

Hi All!
GREAT SITE...tons of useful info. I just found it and this is my first post. I have a 1990 Specialized Sirrus that I've owned since it was new. It's a great bike, and while over the years my cycling ferver has waned a few times, I'll never lose my love for it. I've upgraded everything on the bike, except the components (I've even had it powdercoated), and now I'd really like to step up to STI shifters. My bike came with the 1990 Shimano 105 component group, and I have no idea which ones to buy to upgrade.

If this can be done, what exact part would I need? And not being a bike mechanic, is this something I can do myself? Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you! :) What speed is it in the rear now? Next check the rear dropout spacing to see if it can take a wider hub. If it's 126mm,aluminum doesn't like to be bent,If 128 it's ok. If it's 130 even better for current 130 hubs, in order to go 8 ,9 or 10 speed. If you have 7 speed, the cheap easy way is Sora 7 speed shifters.That could be all you need assuming you can get the FD to work with them.

Doh!! Forgot to mention that...it's a 7 speed in the rear (14 speed total). What would be the advantage to upgrading to 8, 9 or 10 speed? I was thinking of just keeping it a 7 speed and upgrading the shifters? Does FD stand for front derailleur? Where could I find the Sora 7 speed shifters, and is it a pretty easy install? Thanks!

It can be done, but not cheaply.

Most equipment upgrades don't make economic sense. However, you appear to have some emotional attachment to this bike (the powder coating was my tip-off) so it might be worth doing. If that's the case, I wouldn't go just half way. Think Ultegra 9-speed STI, new wheelset, new front and rear derailleurs and new chain. Maybe even a new crankset and bottom bracket. The rear triangle might have to be widened a skosh, but that's not really such a big deal on a steel bike frame. I'd even pop for a Flight Deck computer just to be styling.

Retro Grouch, you hit the nail on the head about the emotional attachment! However, I was thinking of just going with the Sora Double 7-speed STI Lever Set for around $100. Wouldn't this be the best way to do it? Even though I've been into road biking a long time, I'm still a novice when it comes to understanding the advantage of having more speeds. Could you please explain?

The best place to learn to appreciate more speeds is on a flat road with no wind. In such conditions, the input required stays constant. A single speed would be fine provided you had the right speed. If your gear is just a little too high, you feel like you're working too hard. A little too low and you have to spin too fast. Whichever it is, the uncomfortable feeling is unrelenting because you're on a flat road and the required input never changes.

Lots of gears spaced closely together always gives you a gear in the sweet spot. I think that this is one of those times where more really is more.

The best place to learn to appreciate more speeds is on a flat road with no .


& where be this miraculous, magical place of no wind nor elevation?.....nirvana?, the promised land?....lead on, oh grouchy one, for we shall surely follow........