Do all Shimano STI shifters have the same profile?

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08-05-11, 09:28 PM

Ikarios

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Do all Shimano STI shifters have the same hood profile?

Long story short, I broke my left 5600 brake/shifter and I need a replacement. I can't really afford to buy a new set of brifters, so I'm looking at single left shifters, but there aren't any 5600s on eBay right now. If I go down to Tiagra/Sora or up to Ultegra/Dura-Ace, will the hood profile be the same as my current right 5600? I don't care if the shifter cables are mismatched or anything, as long as the hoods "feel" the same while riding.

I'd rather not go down to Sora/Tiagra if I have to (especially not Sora, but it's so cheap...) but I rarely shift up in the front anyway so if the shape is the same I don't think I would really mind.

08-06-11, 06:17 AM

simonaway427

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I have a Sora bike and an Ultegra 6600 bike. The hoods are totally different - 6600 are narrower and longer.

08-06-11, 11:23 AM

Ikarios

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Okay, so Sora is out of the question. That's fine, I didn't really want to have the thumb shifter anyway.

Anyone know if Tiagra 4500 will be the same physical shape as 5600? The new design seems to be the same as 5600/5700/6600/6700 cosmetically but I can't confirm without comparing side-by-side.

08-06-11, 01:58 PM

SkyDog75

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If you're looking for brifters on the cheap, the Microshift stuff at Nashbar might work for you. They're Shimano 10-speed compatible and cost $127.49 for the pair after a 15% discount that runs through this weekend.

08-25-11, 08:02 PM

CharlesP

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The 5600 105 and concurrent Ultegra share the same hoods. You can go to the Shimano website and look at the technical documents and compare part numbers. If you're good working with small parts, you might be able get the part numbers and replace the busted parts . Try Ebikestop or Cambria on the 'net, but Shimano isn't good at supplying small parts like Campy is.

Microshift work fine, I have an 8 speed setup and just bought a crazy red/white 10 speed shift mini-group for $190 via flea-bay from a guy in China, took 8 days to get here and they look great.

08-25-11, 09:05 PM

Ikarios

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I ended up contacting Shimano about a warranty, even though I wasn't the original owner, because apparently the 5600 shifters had a design flaw that broke the shifter if you shifted too far on a double chainring. My bike shop sent one shifter back and I got two shiny new 5700 levers back, but not before I had already bought 6600 shifters and installed them. Oh well, more money for me!