Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Ultegra STI expected lifespan?

My '07 Lemond has about 14,000 miles on it. I broke a shifter cable last summer (had a spare with me), but also began to wonder about the expected life of the shifters. They're not the type of thing you can change quickly on the road. The bike has Ultegra components. How do you judge the condition of the shifters before a ride and when do you replace them? Thanks.
Marlin

They are worn out when they stop ratcheting properly when you shift. It's pretty easy to notice when they are worn and they generally get worse over time. I've never had one just stop working.

They stop working usually when the shifting stops indexing, or something breaks inside. The big return spring for the upshift lever is most susceptible to breakage, in my opinion.

There is a surprising amount of plastic in the workings of shifters these days, and I don't expect the ones I have bought in the past four or five years to last as well as the Tiagra shifters that came on my touring bike in 2000.

But it really is a luck-of-the-draw situation.

They stop working usually when the shifting stops indexing, or something breaks inside. The big return spring for the upshift lever is most susceptible to breakage, in my opinion.

There is a surprising amount of plastic in the workings of shifters these days, and I don't expect the ones I have bought in the past four or five years to last as well as the Tiagra shifters that came on my touring bike in 2000.

But it really is a luck-of-the-draw situation.

That sounds like good news for the new old stock STX-RC (previously Deore I think) shifters I bought on eBay.

Anyway, I know this sounds like an "impossible" question, but does anyone have any idea if Shimano Ultegra bar-end shifters would ever "break down" especially if using in friction mode (except for a crash of course)?

I don't keep exact track on how many miles I put on parts but I can tell you I have a set of Ultegra Shifters on my primary bike that I've had since 2004. I ride between 6,000 and 10,000 miles a year and they are still working just fine. I also had a set of DA shifters that lasted me over 50,000 miles. Besides what Rowan said about a little bit of luck, the conditions that you ride in (ie lots of dirt or rain) can shorten their life expectancy as well.

I like the Ultegra level as a good compromise between weight/ cost and durability.

I've got over 30k on mine and they still shift like new.

..Anyway, I know this sounds like an "impossible" question, but does anyone have any idea if Shimano Ultegra bar-end shifters would ever "break down" especially if using in friction mode (except for a crash of course)?

Anything mechanical will brake. Having said that, Ultegra or even DA bar end shifters will most likely way out last brifters. There are just many fewer parts. How many bazillion miles are you wanting to get out of them anyway?

There are just many fewer parts. How many bazillion miles are you wanting on getting out of them anyway?

:D I bought a bike in 2005 with 105 brifters, cable replacement when needed, got 26,000 miles on them. Outlasted two frames and still work nicely. :D

I wore out some 105 shifters at around 25K miles. Ultegra should last longer-- it's pretty much the same stuff, but generally with better materials selections.

The frustrating part is that, if you like your Shimano components, they can't be rebuilt (as far as I know). Campi can be rebuilt. Branford Bike in Seattle is probably the best at it.

I and a friend both wore out our right Ultegra brifter at about 30,000 miles. Left brifters are still fine. We ride a lot of hills, in any weather. They start to show wear by rattling, which gets worse until one day you have a 2 or 3 speed bike. Also, they are fairly easy to break if you shift wearing big gloves and accidentally hit both levers hard at the same time. So don't do that.

They can also gunk up and give the appearance of being worn out. Whenever I change cables I give them a good flushing and lubing. I bought a set of 6510's last summer from a guy that said they did not work for $10. Figured I could use them for spare parts. Got them home and cleaned them up and they now work like new.

Mine have about 60K on them. Work just fine, even in races where I care about being able to shift rapidly and precisely. Would not hesitate to start a 1200K with those shifters.

:D I bought a bike in 2005 with 105 brifters, cable replacement when needed, got 26,000 miles on them. Outlasted two frames and still work nicely. :D

Are you saying you broke the frames? How did you break the frames?

Are you saying you broke the frames? How did you break the frames?

Beanz is a manamal! ;)

Are you saying you broke the frames? How did you break the frames?

Thanks Homey! I'm a big boy that rides my bikes.

1st frame. Brand new Lemond Tourmalet in 2005, broke on a 18% steep section (according to Mapmyride if layed out in a .7 of a mile) after 3 years and 13,000 miles.
2nd frame (warranty replacement Chambery 3/5 carbon) broke at alum section of chain stay the day after a climb up GMR. Had 14,500 miles on it.

Now been upgraded slowly but surely to a Madone full carbon 4.7. Not bad for an originally priced bike of $1100. Thanks Trek!:thumb

200 frame broke in 2008
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/broke.jpg

2007 (received n 2208) broke in 2011

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/SA%20River%20Trail%20Ride/BrokenL3.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/SA%20River%20Trail%20Ride/BrokenL1.jpg


The new replacement frame. Built it on Friday, did 85 miles over the weekend. Hopefully it last over 3 years.:D

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/Madone1031.jpg

Homey, how many miles?

I think somehow we need to temper the reports of long service from levers with the fact that the reports are based on equipment from the early to mid-2000s, and that I suspect a change in the design and materials since then may actually result in shorter lifespans. It's something we probably won't know until another two or three years from now, however.

If it's that important, opt for the rebuildable Campy levers. Otherwise, currently, Ultegra levers taken off bikes to replace them with Sram componentry are relatively cheap on eBay, so it's not too expensive to buy a second spare set.

My '07 Lemond has about 14,000 miles on it. I broke a shifter cable last summer (had a spare with me), but also began to wonder about the expected life of the shifters.C'mon now kids - no one really thinks its the mileage that causes shifter wear?

Better re-think the subject. And perhaps include who and how and where the shifters are being used. No doubt the operating environment is the greater factor in wearing the shifters.

Off the top of my head, using the shifters in cold, damp hilly area would certainly seem to "logically" account for much greater wear per mile. Conversely, riding across the desert - without a sandstorm - most likely results in almost no wear.

My own experience has found that Ultegra shifters show wear by becoming hard to up shift cleanly in middle range cogs. The left-hand shifter shows wear by failing to ratchet consistently.

And again, my experience is that any STI shifter can be made to work again -at least for a while by saturating it with lubricant. However, this is not recommended for normal use.

Again, another long-distance thread - incorrectly associating mileage with bicycling difficulties......

It's not how long you ride - its how you ride long....................

Homey, how many miles?

How many miles on what? I ride between 6k and 10k miles a year between my single and tandem.

Rowan, I have newer (09) Ultegra STI shifters on the tandem. I don't ride it quite as much as the single but in the last few years I've done two RAAM's on the tandem so probably 9k-10k miles so far.

As pointed out, the conditions you ride in and how often you shift will make a huge impact in the life span of your shifters.

Have worn out three sets of 105 5600 (right) STI shifters. Each one began skipping gears on up shifts as the ratchet gear wore out. (Usually skipping from 2 to 5 or 3 to 5 for me.) Each one lasted about 15,000 miles before skipping. Was still rideable after that, but I had to up shift, then downshift back to the intended gear. My 4th set is 5700; I'm hoping for better luck. Wish I knew Ultegra had a more robust ratchet gear.

Have worn out three sets of 105 5600 (right) STI shifters. Each one began skipping gears on up shifts as the ratchet gear wore out. (Usually skipping from 2 to 5 or 3 to 5 for me.) Each one lasted about 15,000 miles before skipping. Was still rideable after that, but I had to up shift, then downshift back to the intended gear. My 4th set is 5700; I'm hoping for better luck. Wish I knew Ultegra had a more robust ratchet gear.

3 sets? That's amazing. But the symptoms you mention are similar to those I experience with a frayed cable. Do you do your own maintenance?

My buddy had Ultegra 9 speeds. After a year he had the shop replace the cable. Few rides later started skipping. Took it to the shop and they said, "that's why we sell Dura Ace. Want good shifting, you need to upgrade".:eek:...... I adjusted his cable tension on the road, 30 seconds, ran perfectly, never had a problem again. Saved him a bundle! New cables need readjusting after a few miles but the shop tried to dupe him into dropping some dough!:mad:

"3" sets at 15,000 each sounds excessive.

...

My buddy had Ultegra 9 speeds. After a year he had the shop replace the cable. Few rides later started skipping. Took it to the shop and they said, "that's why we sell Dura Ace. Want good shifting, you need to upgrade".:eek:...... I adjusted his cable tension on the road, 30 seconds, ran perfectly, never had a problem again. Saved him a bundle! New cables need readjusting after a few miles but the shop tried to dupe him into dropping some dough!:mad:

... .Unfortunately, most bike shop mechanic departments exist NOT to adjust things (or fix their own mistakes), but instead exist to SELL YOU MORE STUFF whether you actually need it or not.

Most of the rest want to sell you new stuff because the children masquerading as bike mechanics don't have enough experience to actually know what they are doing or what they are looking at. Combine that with time-pressure to keep the time spent on each bike to a minimum ...

3 sets? That's amazing. But the symptoms you mention are similar to those I experience with a frayed cable. Do you do your own maintenance?

My buddy had Ultegra 9 speeds. After a year he had the shop replace the cable. Few rides later started skipping. Took it to the shop and they said, "that's why we sell Dura Ace. Want good shifting, you need to upgrade".:eek:...... I adjusted his cable tension on the road, 30 seconds, ran perfectly, never had a problem again. Saved him a bundle! New cables need readjusting after a few miles but the shop tried to dupe him into dropping some dough!:mad:

"3" sets at 15,000 each sounds excessive.

Replace shifter cable every 3000 miles. It ain't the cable. Shifts perfectly until the ratchet wears out some of more highly used detents on it. It ain't the adjustments. It's the ratchet's gear systematically wearing out after about 15,000 miles of use by me. That consistency points to a design that incorporates materials not suited for more robust use than that. And yes, I do all my own maintenance. Shifting is never a problem until the ratchet goes.

Replace shifter cable every 3000 miles. It ain't the cable. Shifts perfectly until the ratchet wears out some of more highly used detents on it. It ain't the adjustments. It's the ratchet's gear systematically wearing out after about 15,000 miles of use by me. That consistency points to a design that incorporates materials not suited for more robust use than that. And yes, I do all my own maintenance. Shifting is never a problem until the ratchet goes.

Wow, that is something. I use my shifters ALOT! Lots of climbing, anywhere from 2300- 12,000 ft rides, 5000-7300 per year. I'm still on a set of 105 shifters after 26000 miles and 6 years. My frames don't hold up (pics above) but my shifters do. Must be the rain.:D

Wow, that is something. I use my shifters ALOT! Lots of climbing, anywhere from 2300- 12,000 ft rides, 5000-7300 per year. I'm still on a set of 105 shifters after 26000 miles and 6 years. My frames don't hold up (pics above) but my shifters do. Must be the rain.:D

It's just cause you're an animal on wheels.

Next GMR ride video, I wanna see you on a fixie. :P

Wow, that is something. I use my shifters ALOT! Lots of climbing, anywhere from 2300- 12,000 ft rides, 5000-7300 per year. I'm still on a set of 105 shifters after 26000 miles and 6 years. My frames don't hold up (pics above) but my shifters do. Must be the rain.:D

Wait...6-year-old 105s? Are these the 9-speeds? Mine's a 10 (5600 series). My first two replacements (at 15K and 31K) were covered by Shimano's two-year warranty. Their rep said the 10-speeds wear out cables and other parts faster than the 9-speeds did.

Then, too, there's the reported fact that you're a monster and I'm a spindly-legged old guy. I don't have your hills, but I have my Kansas wind, and being much weaker of leg than you, I shift more, I bet.

I keep wondering if SRAM shifters wear longer.

Wait...6-year-old 105s? Are these the 9-speeds? Mine's a 10 (5600 series). My first two replacements (at 15K and 31K) were covered by Shimano's two-year warranty. Their rep said the 10-speeds wear out cables and other parts faster than the 9-speeds did.

Then, too, there's the reported fact that you're a monster and I'm a spindly-legged old guy. I don't have your hills, but I have my Kansas wind, and being much weaker of leg than you, I shift more, I bet.

I keep wondering if SRAM shifters wear longer.

Ah, could be! Mine are 9 speed. I'm one that is more than happy to avoid latest stuff for durability reasons. I'd keep my other roadie an 8 speed if I could but broken Ultegra shifters forced me into 9 as 8 were no longer available (other than Sora level).

I have 10 speed Ultegra on wife's roadie but me, I'll keep 9 as long as I can with consideration to chain/component durability hopes and thoughts.:D

No fiixies fro me. I've done 10,000-12,000 gain centuries on my standard 39/25 so I' sure I could do 3000 on a fixie, but the thought is not attractive to me and I don't need anymore bikes. I'm maintaining 7 fully functionables now. That's down from 10.:D

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/Madone1031.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/5691417560_67bc0d5c06.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40913998@N06/5691417560/)
bike3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40913998@N06/5691417560/) by gulpxtreme (http://www.flickr.com/people/40913998@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5226/5691417256_3be16ab576.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40913998@N06/5691417256/)
bike2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40913998@N06/5691417256/) by gulpxtreme (http://www.flickr.com/people/40913998@N06/), on Flickr

On the subject of use, I tend to break a lot more L shifter cables than most: generally every 2000 km or so. Just for interest's sake I counted the number of shifts I made on an undulating bit of road I ride regularly. I made 40 shifts in 1 km. Sore knees and old legs. Those whose shifting gear last them a long time might like to try the same experiment!

Left-hand shifter? 40 changes between the big and small ring in one kilometre? Are you sure?

Left-hand shifter? 40 changes between the big and small ring in one kilometre? Are you sure?

That is pretty outrageous. I don't think it's my "long life shifter cables" that need to be involved in any experiments. :p

In my experience, STI shifters get dirty and the grease hardens and that often causes them to stop working before they break. I bought a bike with Ultegra 8spd STIs in 1999 and after about 5 or 6 years, the shifters didn't work too well any more. I recently gave them to my nephew as he was building up a bike and my brother was able to get them working again after soaking in solvent for a few days to loosen up the innards.