2009 Tiagra shifters' levers metal?
06-29-09, 08:50 AM
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2009 Tiagra shifters' levers metal?
Quick superficial question - Are the brake levers on the 2009 Tiagra ST4500 shifters clear-coated metal or plastic?
06-29-09, 08:54 AM
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Assuming they're the same as the 2007s, I think they're metal. I scraped one of mine up in a crash and the silver color appears to go all the way through it.
Why would it matter, though? It's not a highly stressed structural component or anything.
Why would it matter, though? It's not a highly stressed structural component or anything.
06-29-09, 09:02 AM
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I'm upgrading from Sora and trying to decide if I want to spend extra money on 105 over Tiagra. The metal levers were a big selling point for me (I'm easily swayed), so since Tiagra has them, I'll probably go with that and save some money.
06-29-09, 09:05 AM
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Current 105 brifters are 10 speed, while current Tiagra are 9 speed. They are not interchange-able.
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06-29-09, 09:07 AM
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I'd suggest going with 105 if you're upgrading the whole groupset, as it offers compatibility with ten speed components. I don't know for sure, but I have a hard time believing that the difference between a 105 group and a Tiagra group is all that much, in terms of price.
Edit: If you're just doing the shifters, you'd need 9 speed anyway, so Tiagra is your best option in that case.
06-29-09, 09:09 AM
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plastic? brake levers are either going to be alloy metal or cf, tiagra is definitely alloy. As mentioned make sure all your equipment matches up before you buy anything, or you wont be doing any shifting.
06-29-09, 09:14 AM
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I'm actually running an 8 speed Sora setup right now, and I'm trying to make a cost-conscious upgrade away from the Sora paddles. I'm also looking at used components, which opens up 9 speed 105 shifters for me.
06-29-09, 09:18 AM
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If used is an option, you could probably go with Dura-Ace if you wanted to.
https://cgi.ebay.com/SHIMANO-DURA-ACE...3%3A1|294%3A50
(Not my auction, just an example)
Edit: Or are Shimano's 8 and 9 speed parts intermixable somehow?
06-29-09, 09:22 AM
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If you have an 8 speed group, you need 8 speed STI brifters unless you intend to upgrade at least the cassette as well.
If used is an option, you could probably go with Dura-Ace if you wanted to.
https://cgi.ebay.com/SHIMANO-DURA-ACE...3%3A1|294%3A50
(Not my auction, just an example)
Edit: Or are Shimano's 8 and 9 speed parts intermixable somehow?
If used is an option, you could probably go with Dura-Ace if you wanted to.
https://cgi.ebay.com/SHIMANO-DURA-ACE...3%3A1|294%3A50
(Not my auction, just an example)
Edit: Or are Shimano's 8 and 9 speed parts intermixable somehow?
No, I don't believe Shimano 8 and 9 speed parts are interchangeable.
06-29-09, 09:28 AM
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ah.... sure.
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Tiagra brifters are good stuff. If your good with 9 speed go for it. This is based on the newer Tiagra. They feel just like my Ultegra shifters and work almost as smooth. Nothing wrong with them at all. If the price is right it's a good value.
06-29-09, 12:12 PM
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The new Tiagra stuff is almost identical to 105 in feel. Shifting is the same minus one gear. The only differences I could find were the gear indicators on top of the Tiagras (none on the 105s) and there was no ribbed grip surface on the small levers of the Tiagras like there is on the 105s.
06-29-09, 12:36 PM
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I rode with 105 all last year. I recently purchased a caad9 6 with full tiagra, and it it just as smooth as my 105 was.
06-29-09, 07:21 PM
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8 speed dura ace cable pull on the brifters is different then everything else. Even Sora levers are metal. Or do you mean is the shifter paddle on the inside plastic?
