Campy ErgoPower Shifters: Can you downshift from the Drops?

[DougRisk]

I am in the process of getting a new bike and tested a handful last weekend and one of the bikes that I rode was a Bianchi with, I believe, Veloce shifters on them. I was only on the bike for a short while before I realized it was not for me, so I did not pay enough attention to these shifters where I used my thumb to down shift.

If I remember correctly, I kept bringing my hand from the drops to the hood to downshift. Is it possible to downshift while in the drop bars?

I tried Googling for some information and say some videos on YouTube, but all I found was videos promoting or analyzing the latest features of the new Campy groupos, not an actual video of someone downshifting with their hands in the drop bars.

Thanks in advance.

[halfspeed]

I am in the process of getting a new bike and tested a handful last weekend and one of the bikes that I rode was a Bianchi with, I believe, Veloce shifters on them. I was only on the bike for a short while before I realized it was not for me, so I did not pay enough attention to these shifters where I used my thumb to down shift.

If I remember correctly, I kept bringing my hand from the drops to the hood to downshift. Is it possible to downshift while in the drop bars?

I tried Googling for some information and say some videos on YouTube, but all I found was videos promoting or analyzing the latest features of the new Campy groupos, not an actual video of someone downshifting with their hands in the drop bars.

Thanks in advance.

See my avatar.

[Homebrew01]

I race on the current style and have no problems shifting from the drops. I like them better than pre-2009 style. Having the levers set up correctly will help. Might be a good idea to try the different brands first hand if you can. Test ride a bike, but also test ride the shifters as a separate item, since they work differently and some may fit your hands better than others.

[DougRisk]

Thank you. While I was waiting for a reply I did some more searching and found out that Shimano also has a brifter where you downshift with the thumb. It is possible that the Bianchi I rode had those (Sora?) because the other Bianchi I rode had Shimano STI brifters, so, it might make sense that they all had Shimano groupos at this dealer.

[DougRisk]

I race on the current style and have no problems shifting from the drops.

Thanks. I think it is possible that I was testing a Shimano (Sora?) setup that also has a thumb downshifter.

[vinfix]

Which Bianchi was it? Campy is only on the (much) more expensive bikes.

[DougRisk]

This was definitely NOT one of the more expensive models. I believe it was the Via Narone. Actually, I just did a little bit more research, and now I am confident it was Shimano Sora...the Via Narone comes with Sora and a different Bianchi "Coast to Coast" model has the STI Tiagra (or 105), which matches up exactly with what I tested. So, now I know, Campy Veloce may be a winner for me, but I did not care for Shimano Sora (however, I did like the 105s and I loved the Ultegras I tried on a Giant).

[Homebrew01]

Shimano Sora has a thumb shifter that's up so high you can't shift from the drops. I think that is to turn people off thumb shifting and not switch to Campy. But if you try Campy, you'll find it's nothing like Sora.

[DougRisk]

I definitely would like to try Campy. So far, I have been fairly happy with all of the setups (105, Ultegra, SRAM DoubleTap) except Shimano Sora.

[carpediemracing]

Shimano Sora has a thumb shifter that's up so high you can't shift from the drops.

+1, but then again DR you seem to have figured that out.

[Campag4life]

The thumb shifter isn't for everybody OP. Maybe a stretch if you have stubby fingers. I have the long fingers of a concert pianist so no prob for me.
Unfortunately, I have the flexibility of a concert pianist as well and would like to spend more time in the drops ...actually I do...I just ride with higher handlebar position than a racer. Campy is nice stuff, but I like all the name brand stuff...Ultegra, DuraAce, Force and Red. Ui2/Di2 is said to be da bomb...but staying away for the time being. Ride it all and pick what you like.

[mmmdonuts]

Upshift, and yes. Can downshift from the drops too.