Dead Roman

Since my rear wheel bit the dust and I have converted to vuelta corsa HD's(much much nicer) I have been wondering if it would be worth it to convert my bike from downtube to STI shifting. I live in a really flat area(galveston) so its not like I am shifting all the time, but I sure am fiddling with my shifters a lot to keep the drivtrain quiet and miss the simple "click" and shift of my 105 and ultegra bikes(long gone). I was wondering if there was an inexpensive way to convert over to STI, maybe something on the lower end, like tiagra. What would I actually have to change and what could I keep to keep the costs down. I realize brifters, front and rear derailluers, and the cassette most likely, but could I keep my crank and chainrings/bottom bracket. I would hate to have to change the cassette cause I had to buy a brand new 7-speed for the new wheels. Perhaps some old 7-speed 105? If there even is such a thing?

LesterOfPuppets

I got a whole bike with RSX 7-speed for $60 a while back. I had to flush them vigorously before they clicked but they are great now.

I'd look for 7 or 8 speed. 8-speed cassettes are only about $25. I guess that is a little bit of money, but...

Dead Roman

I mean, like the 150 dollar range. it doesnt have to be completely cost free. Im just not buying a 500 dollar groupset.

Nagrom_

What about $200? Microshift is a great, very budget friendly, alternative.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-microSHI...item19d003fb81

Homebrew01

You can keep your crank, and probably front der. I am using 1985 crank and fd with Chorus 10 speed

Dead Roman

What is microshift? Is that like a new groupset? Off brand of the big 3?

Nagrom_

Not necessarily an off brand, just another brand. They've been around for nearly 15 years now.

https://www.microshift.com.tw/about.html
https://www.google.com/search?q=Micr...w=1366&bih=643

Dead Roman

After reading some reviews the microshift seems like the way to go for the "budget roadie". Right in my price range too.

Kuotient

If you want 8 speeds, it'll require a little more work. Going from 7 to 8/9/10 speeds requires a wider rear axle spacing from 126mm to 130mm. If it's a steel frame, that's no problem. You can either have a wheel squeezed in/out with a little extra effort, or have a shop to spread the rear triangles. (I work at the Bike Barn in Clear Lake! I think our head mechanic Jim knows how. Certainly has the tools.)

If it's an aluminum frame, find a 7 speed. RSX is going to be your best bet!

When I converted my Centurion Ironman to STI a couple years ago, I was lucky to find a seller that sold me his Shimano 600 STI levers (ST-6400) for $85 and a wheelset with Shimano 600 hubs for $60.

LesterOfPuppets

I think the wheelset mentioned in the OP only comes in 130mm.

Kuotient

Oops, must've glazed over that! Then taking wheels out of the financial equation....$150 is very do-able.

Dead Roman

Thats where I bought the new cassette for the new wheels. The wheelset I got is compatible with 7/8/9/10 so I reckon I am gonna go the microshift route. I noticed putting the wheel on that I had to pull it apart a bit to get the wheel to slide in, but we are talking maybe 2mm max. I didnt think it was an issue. I hvae been reading reviews for about an hour and that microshift stuff seems to be very highly regaurded. Ill prolly just wait till it goes on sale at nashbar.

achoo

You might want to expand you budget a little:

https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/roa...es/shimgrss330

Brand-new 10-speed Shimano Tiagra shifters for $175.

Or maybe these:

https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/roa...ss202000000000

It really depends on what the rest of your bike has, especially the crankset and derailleurs. Maybe your crankset can't handle a 10-speed chain. What shifters would work with your rear derailleur?

FWIW, you can get a RD for those shifters for $35 or so from Ribble.

You could get the Campy 9-speed setup - shifters, RD, cassette - for about $155 or so. A KMC 9-speed chain for another $15, and you'd be at $170 for all-new components. At that point, the only potential issues would be your FD and crankset, and whether or not your rear wheel could accept a Campy cassette.

Dead Roman

Those prices look like they arent in murican money.

Dead Roman

I think those shifters are 265$

achoo

See that little flag in the upper right, under the "Choose your currency" notice?

ebow3d

I have just bought some NOS Ultegra 9 speed shifters on eBay. The guy has got quite a few more, just do a search.

Dead Roman

Nice, gracias.

James1:17

Did you flush the shifters? What did you use? Thanks!

RollCNY

OP, you may want to consider the SIS downtube shifters. They will plug right onto your current set up, just buy a cassette. You could get to 9 speed SIS and cassette for under $100 now on Ribble, with their 10% off gig.

I just built up a DT shifter bike with 10 speed SIS, and it shifts as well as my STI bikes.

Dead Roman

I like the looks/reviews of the microshift stuff. Might go with either white or bona.


Thanks everyone for the info.

puckett129

Get 9-speed ergos off ebay and run em as they are!

Dead Roman

Ergos?


Btw. Im running a 105 double crankset with biopace rings and 105 dt shifters. Rear dr is exage 300ex and front is unmarked.

clydeosaur

You could look around for someone with a case of upgrade-itis. I was introducing my wife to road riding & found a early 90's Trek 400 in incredible shape w/7spd Suntour down tube components. I bought a 1 ans 1/2 year old Sora/Tiagra mix groupset from a (brifters, front & rear mech, crank, bb, brakes, the chain, wheels and cassette) for $180. It was a very nice and dependable upgrade. The only items I bought at the shop were new cables, housing & a new chain.

likebike23

How picky are you? If you are ok with sora type shifters, there's these. You've got everything else you need, just put them on and ride.

https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-ST-A07...urney+shifters