Shimano Shifter Upgrade Sanity Check Please
07-11-13, 08:29 AM
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Shimano Shifter Upgrade Sanity Check Please
I've got a road bike with Shimano 105s 5600 series shifters, external shifter cable routing. I'd like to upgrade to the 5700, internal cable routing shifters. I found this deal . It includes cable housings and cables. I'd add a new 5700 front derailleur as my current one is becoming rusty due to sweat and lack of maintenance.
I understand there is a braking issue as the 5700s have a different rate than the 5600s. I'm prepared to upgrade the brakes if I don't like the feel. My motivation for this in order of priority is:
1. I want to know how to replace cables, this and taking apart the BB are the two things I've not done. Well I can't build a wheel either but I'd leave this one to the experts.
2. I like the internal cable routing.
3. My bike is ~3 years and 7,000 miles old and a couple of the cables are looking bad.
4. I've read, but can't reference it, that the 5700 series front derailleur is much improved over the 5600.
My nearest LBS is 70 miles away so that's not an option. I've got tools, including a repair stand but from what I've read it doesn't require much in the way of tools. Is this a reasonable project for a first timer to attempt?... Thanks!
I understand there is a braking issue as the 5700s have a different rate than the 5600s. I'm prepared to upgrade the brakes if I don't like the feel. My motivation for this in order of priority is:
1. I want to know how to replace cables, this and taking apart the BB are the two things I've not done. Well I can't build a wheel either but I'd leave this one to the experts.
2. I like the internal cable routing.
3. My bike is ~3 years and 7,000 miles old and a couple of the cables are looking bad.
4. I've read, but can't reference it, that the 5700 series front derailleur is much improved over the 5600.
My nearest LBS is 70 miles away so that's not an option. I've got tools, including a repair stand but from what I've read it doesn't require much in the way of tools. Is this a reasonable project for a first timer to attempt?... Thanks!
07-11-13, 07:11 PM
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Routing cable for STI levers is a lot to cover for a bulletin board post. Here's the tech doc from Shimano on the subject: https://techdocs.shimano.com/media/te...9830702880.pdf. For mechanical help of a less proprietary nature, use the Park Tools help section: https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help.
techdocs.shimano.com can be searched for practically anything that a shop mechanic would want to know about Shimano equipment, and I recommend searching it, and using the Park help pages, before posing questions. You'll still have questions, but with this perspective they'll be more pointed and we'll be able to drill into the problem a lot more quickly.
My general advice is to test your work at each step. For example, after routing cable through the shifters, pull on the cable and step through the shifters to make sure everything is seated properly. Then move on. Also, measure housing carefully, and use ferrules wherever indicated. Also, don't cut cable until it is entirely routed, or it will unravel.
techdocs.shimano.com can be searched for practically anything that a shop mechanic would want to know about Shimano equipment, and I recommend searching it, and using the Park help pages, before posing questions. You'll still have questions, but with this perspective they'll be more pointed and we'll be able to drill into the problem a lot more quickly.
My general advice is to test your work at each step. For example, after routing cable through the shifters, pull on the cable and step through the shifters to make sure everything is seated properly. Then move on. Also, measure housing carefully, and use ferrules wherever indicated. Also, don't cut cable until it is entirely routed, or it will unravel.
07-11-13, 08:04 PM
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OK - some more things to think about:
(1) External shifter runs are LOTS easier to lube than internal runs - which means they're easier to keep shifting without having to replace the inner cable every time something needs lubing.
(2) 5700 miles isn't a lot of milage for a set of brifters
(3) Jagwire Racer cabling kits are higher quality than you'll get stock with a 105 shifter set anyway - and redoing the cales and housing on what you already have with one of those might surprise you.
But its your bike and some things ya just gotta do cause ya wanna ...
(1) External shifter runs are LOTS easier to lube than internal runs - which means they're easier to keep shifting without having to replace the inner cable every time something needs lubing.
(2) 5700 miles isn't a lot of milage for a set of brifters
(3) Jagwire Racer cabling kits are higher quality than you'll get stock with a 105 shifter set anyway - and redoing the cales and housing on what you already have with one of those might surprise you.
But its your bike and some things ya just gotta do cause ya wanna ...
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