Shimano Sora shifters with Acera derailleurs?
 

Hello all. This is my first post here, but have been browsing the site for some time and find that the advice offered is very helpful. Thought I'd reach out to get some advice of my own.

I've got a 2012 Specialized Sirrus Sport. When I purchased it, I was only biking a measly 1 mile a day round trip to and from work. However I've since moved and am doing 10 - 11 miles per day round trip. The bike is great, but I've been considering swapping out parts here and there to make the ride more... fluid. For example, I picked up a nice set of Nitto Grand Randoneur dropbars which I'll be installing soon, once I find the answer to my question.

I'm trying to make the bike practical, comfortable, and suited for lengthier bike rides. I like the different options of drop bars, more than the straight bar the bike came with.

I've been researching the different types of shifters for the new dropbar. It seems there are bar-end shifters, and STI shifters. I think I'm going to go with STI shifters because 1) I like the way they look and 2) I don't think I'd feel super confident having to reach to the end of the bar to shift. I'm looking at Shimano Sora 3x9's or some in the Tiagra line. But I can't determine if they'd be compatible with my Shimano Acera derailleurs.

I did come across a PDF from Shimano showing parts compatibility but nowhere did it mention the Acera's. My assumption is that I'll need to pick up some new derailleurs too, but was hoping to hear from you all first.

The derailleurs I've current got installed:
Shimano Acera FD-M360
Shimano Acera RD-M390 GS

And the shifter set I'm most interested in is:
Shimano Sora ST-3400

Are the two compatible? Are there better recommendations (keeping budget in mind)?

Thanks in advance,
Chris

yes

Thanks for replying. Might I ask how you can confirm this? I'm curious where I might find compatibility charts or the like for future reference.

Chris

Also, "yes" these are compatible? Or "yes" there are better recommendations?

My friend wanted easy-er gearing for his "colorado bike" ... I installed an XT rear der. and 11-34 cass, with an inline barrel adjuster on his Ultegra equip road bike. Same as what you wanna do, just different "level" components ...

This was before sram had WiFli .

Rear derailleur, no problem. Front derailleur, nope, unless you get one of these: http://jtekengineering.com/shiftmatestraight.php

Edit: Or an inline barrel adjuster would work too.

Going with bar-ends would be cheaper, and since the front is friction, would not need the shiftmate. I've got a set on my Nashbar, and there might have been a slight adjustment period, but now they feel totally natural.

If you go with STI, get Sora ST-3500 instead on ST-3400.

So I'd need to purchase the ShiftMate Straight cable adapter on the front to use the new shifters?

Why the 3500 over the 3400? I've got a budget and I can't really afford the 3500's.

Chris

Your better question, just might be - How can I make this change in the cheapest manner possible? Given the level of components, you are not going to gain much, if anything, just by switching the levels you propose................. And, honestly, it makes no sense to replace any of that stuff unless it is broken or worn out. All Shimano stuff works pretty good at what it is designed to do........

You could have gotten a set of bolt on drops, Origin 8, from Niagara, to try them out, and keep using all of your original stuff. Cheap, too! Might still be worth considering, until you make up your mind. You will have drops, and still have flatbars for when you are in traffic, and visibility is paramount.

Now, consider your budget!

Lost the thumb shifter now more tiegra like, also gained a "speed".

+1 for 3500

Fair point, Wanderer. The main reason for the switch is because I'm going from flatbar to dropbars and my current shifter components (flatbar style) won't work with the new dropbars. Having found a really good deal on the dropbars, I started there, and decided to find the other needed components such as shifters, etc.

I have plans in the future to eventually upgrade bikes entirely with something more mid-level. But until I'm ready for that, I'm working with what I've got. Not necessarily looking for "more", just equivalent (better would be a nice to have) that works with the new drops.

Chris

Gotcha, thanks. I was looking for something that was 3 x 9 since that's what my current set is. Found a Sora 3400 that is 3 x 9 (and affordable), but not a 3500 set. It seems that most things these days are 2 x 8, 9, or 10... not finding many 3x's. Guess my bike is kinda old-ish, eh?

By putting the drop extensions on, you can use them, and get used to them, while you are gathering all the needed stuff for the "upgrade."

Have you thought of a trekking bar? You can keep the existing shifters and get multople hand positions.

+1 My Safari came with one and I love it. All your current parts would port straight over.

If you get those STI brifters,don't forget to get a pair of these for your brakes. You'll need them to match your new short pull levers to your long pull V brakes. As Arrowana said,you'll also need an inline barrel adjuster for your front derailleur cable. And you'll need a new shorter stem to make up for your new effective toptube length.

It's been a while, but I figured I'd update this thread on my results in case anyone else searches for something similar.

I've got Acera derailers and I've picked up Shimano Sora brifters. They do work, but I needed two TravelAgents for the brakes. The shifting isn't 100%, but it works well. When shifting the front I have to double-click the lever. Shifting in the rear hasn't given my any issues, but sometimes doesn't feel as "clean" as it could be.

Thanks for coming back with the update.

That's normal. It's called 'trimming';it allows you to position the front derailleur so it doesn't rub. Most road shifters do this because most road bikes use doubles.