Bicycle Mechanics - How to tell diff between left ST-6703 and ST-6700 ???

How can I tell that a left Shimano ST-6703 (triple crankset) shift lever is not actually a ST-6700 shifter (double crankset)?

Scenario: I have a 2010 frameset that came with a mix of Shimano 105/Tiagra/no-name components. The brakes were Tiagra (which were changed real quick to Ultegra). The "no-name" was a non-series Shimano triple crankset, since changed out to the Ultegra triple. The 105 was the drivetrain.

I've converted all the components to Ultegra, except for the shifters. Received them and took the bike into one of my LBS to have the bars changed (I like the traditional round shape), and have the Ultegra ST-6703 shifters replaced at the same time. Am having all the cables replaced also since it's been a couple years and many miles on the orig cables.

The shop called me a bit ago and insisted that the left shifter is a ST-6700 (front double shifter), instead of a ST-6703 (triple crankset). Fellow said that everyone in the shop verified that the left shifter is for a double, and that it only has "two clicks".

The box the shifters came in is marked to indicate the contents as ST-6703, however the enclosed tech sheets are ambiguous. One "Technical Service Instructions" says "ST-6703 Front DUAL CONTROL Lever" (doc # SI-6SE0A-001), and the other "Technical Service Instructions" says "ST-6700 Shimano Total Integration" (doc # SI-6SC0A-001). The two tech sheets from the Shimano web site are the exploded schematic/diagram and a TSI ST-6703/ST-5703 "Front Dual Control Lever" (SI-6SE0B-002).

Thinking about the "two shift clicks", to me, that seems right (for a triple). The ring you are in, and the other two. Stupid logic would indicate that a double would only have one shift click. Then again, remembering the 105 shifters ... you don't get from one chain ring to another by a single click. You have to "milk it". Maybe he is confusing the SRAM shifters for the Shimano ones? On a 105 and Ultegra shifter, should just a single lever throw change the chainring? Seems that on my Dura-Ace 7900, I have to use two swings of the lever to go from the small to large chainring, (but going down just takes a single throw).

Boy, I sure do miss the days of the downtube shifters. They were easy to adjust and use.

Can anyone familiar with the ST-6703 shifters help me? I am picking up the bike tomorrow, partially assembled, (they installed the rear/right shifter, but not the left one. I'd really hate to take everything apart to return it to the place I purchased it from, and all the hassle that entails. Maybe this shop just doesn't know what they are doing, (as far as triples go).

Is there any marking on the shifter itself to indicate the model number?

Thanks for any help you can proffer.

Not sure of the Shimano levers per se, In Campy a 10s right lever has 9 clicks separating the 10 lever positions. It might help you to understand if you look at the back of your hand where there are 3 spaces (clicks) between the 4 knuckles.

Following that logic, I suspect that 2 clicks would mean that there 3 positions. - inner, click, middle, click, outer.

...Following that logic, I suspect that 2 clicks would mean that there 3 positions. - inner, click, middle, click, outer.

That's what I'm thinking. And thinking that this "hot" pro shop doesn't understand triples.

...Unless one of the clicks is just a trim, not an actual shift. Personally, I haven't felt a ST-6700 to know, though. My triple 105 shifter, which I'm using as a double), has a trim after the inner and middle position.

Also, installing a FD cable is pretty easy, so before you leave the shop, just buy the housing, ferrules, cable, and crimp. If you don't have cable housing cutters, just have the shop cut the housing to the same length as the one for the rear shifter.

Coincidentally, after I read your post, I was going thru some old photos and found one of the shifter model stamped on the plastic body (6600 in my case). Peel back the hood and you might find the model number. I am not sure how to post a pic here, but I will try to send you one via PM.

Both my bikes with 6703 triples have the left shifter stamped Flightdeck Triple at the top of the lever.

Both my bikes with 6703 triples have the left shifter stamped Flightdeck Triple at the top of the lever.

Thank you all.

This is it! Found some pictures on the net that shows the face plate with this wording. Funny thing ... the "triple" wording is only on the left shifter, not the right one. Makes sense because the right shifter controls the RD, and those are the same for triples and doubles. The ST-6700 left shifter has the same wording as the right shifters, (i.e., "Flightdeck"). Thanks for the tip. First thing I check when I pick up my bike later today.

To be certain, peel back the left-hand lever hood on the outside of the lever, and you should find the model number printed in a little box. You may have to also pull pack a bit of bar tape, but it won't be hard. This is an even more certain indicator than what is written on the front face-plate.

To be certain, peel back the left-hand lever hood on the outside of the lever, and you should find the model number printed in a little box. You may have to also pull pack a bit of bar tape, but it won't be hard. This is an even more certain indicator than what is written on the front face-plate.

I'll do that tonight. A new ST-6703 left shifter has been ordered, and Amazon gave me a 50% credit because it was not possible to return the kit. (Kinda different for them, but I think it was sent from one of their affiliates. Something like that.) They are letting me keep the ST-6700 left shifter and selling that with the credit means I'm won't be out any additional money ... just some lost time while the bike is tied up at the shop. No worries as I can use my other bike in the meantime.

Shimano triple front road shifters have 4 main positions (3 clicks) plus a soft trim position for the small chainring. This provides 2 positions for each chainring to be used for trimming.