Classic & Vintage - please educate me on 105 shift brake levers

I'm confused about these levers and velobase is not really helpful in this particular instance.

1. Are all first generation 105 shift brake levers 8 speed?
2. What is the difference in appearence and features between model 1055 and 1056?
3. What about the double vs triple? If there is no triple sticker how do you recognize the difference? Does the double not ratched (can you even say that) and the triple does?
4. What are the time lines for these models?

Please help!

I have 105SC on my 1993 Cannondale R60. It is 8 speed but uses SRAM twist knob shifters at the end of the barends. It is equipped for a double.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p71/pastorbobnlnh/Cannondale/1993%20R600/Feb15R600Side.jpg

I'm running 1056 on my 1996 Cannondale SR500. It is also 8 speed but uses the STI shifter/levers. It runs a triple.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p71/pastorbobnlnh/Cannondale/1996%20SR%20500%20Silk%20Road/SR500FullSide.jpg

If you look closely you will see the difference in the cranksets. There is no sticker on the STI shifters designating them as "triples."

I have 1050 on my '83 Paramount and it uses down tube 7 speed with a friction FD shifter. I converted 105SC crank arms with a TA triplizer and I'm using a TA outer ring.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p71/pastorbobnlnh/Paramounts/1983%20Makeover%202012/83ParamountSideA071012.jpg

I'm no expert on all of this, but I have to say I find the late '80s and '90s 105 series of Shimano gear to be exceptionally nice. Probably not as light weight as Ultegra and of course not DuraAce, but very well made. Hope this is helpful.

I'm using 1055's on a 7-speed setup with a compact double. They're 8 speed shifters, but I just hit the limit so it wont fall off the little cog. This works great and even ticks like a Timex after a bad crash.

I just figured it out. I acquired two sets a while back, one that was claimed to be a double and one a triple. I was not able to figure out how to distiquish the two until I finally realized the small design difference:

http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h391/bdubber20002000/762F1E98-ED62-4B12-AA44-AB1C5B3055A0-3710-00000394ACC39E83.jpg

The triple is on the left and the double on the right. Both include ST-1055 stamped on the base of the handles.

The "designated" triple just has a wider range of cable pull on the L shifter. I've seen both the 8-sp and 9-sp 105 L STI shifter used on triples, but have not done so myself. The 9-sp came with with yellow lettering outlined in blue, and with black lettering. I was told once that all 9-sp 105 L STI's will handle both 2/3 speeds. I sure don't know. There has to be some triple 105 STI's made in both 1055, 1056, and the 5500, because I've seen plenty of 1055, 1056, and 5500 triple cranksets.

There has to be some triple 105 STI's made in both 1055, 1056, and the 5500, because I've seen plenty of 1055, 1056, and 5500 triple cranksets.

That was my thought as well, which is why it's somewhat surprising to me I wasn't be able to find any info on this topic. Perhaps the Shimano catalogs from the 1990s could clarify it all, I will try to find some.

As for telling the deference it is pretty simple the triple clicks twice and the double clicks ounce. The math and details are pretty simple they click one less than the gearing.

You might want to keep an eye open for RSX & RX-100 components.

A mech. friend once told me that Shimano re-badged their residual stock of prior-generation 105 parts as respectively RSX (for the remaining 7sp gear when 105 went to 8sp) & RX-100 (for the remaining 8sp gear when the 5500 series was introduced).

While I'm not sure if that information is fully accurate, the weights of the various RSX & RX-100 components do seem to correlate to the earlier generation 105 parts. So- who knows; they're excellent groups.

As for telling the deference it is pretty simple the triple clicks twice and the double clicks ounce. The math and details are pretty simple they click one less than the gearing.

Seems so simple right? Well, it's not. Both can swoop/click twice.

Seems so simple right? Well, it's not. Both can swoop/click twice.
And there are also the litte "mini-clicks" in between them. I've never figured them out.