dsmyers

I have a Santana Sovereign from ~2001 that I'd like to upgrade to 10-speed (it currently has 9-speed Ultegra). I'm not so much looking for the extra gear as I am a more comfortable hood shape on the brake levers. I have a few options I'm considering; I'd be glad for your opinions on them or other suggestions!

Option 1: Shimano 6703

The most straightforward option would seem to be buying a pair of Ultegra triple shifters, a new front and rear derailleur, and a chain and cassette, although Zinn says that the existing RD should be fine.

Pros: standard setup, possibility of installing a FlightDeck computer.
Cons: last generation components, potentially balky triple shifting.

Does anyone have experience with 5703 (105) vs 6703 (Ultegra) shifters? Are Ultegra worth the extra $75 or so?

Option 2: SRAM Rival

Alternatively, I could install a right-hand SRAM Rival lever, a brake-only left-hand lever, and use a barend shifter to shift the front derailleur. (I'd need a chain, cassette, and rear derailleur as well.)

Pros: barend shifter simplifies front shifting.
Cons: barend shifter for front shifting.

Option 3: Your suggestions

What am I not thinking about?

Thanks!
Daniel

chris ss

FWIW I've got 5703 (105's) on the tandem and 6703's (Ultegra) on the single bike and I can't tell the difference. They're both 9-sp tho.

dvs cycles

My 2007 Team Scandium came with 6703 shifters,FD and an XTR RD along with a 11-34 cassette and 7803 brakes.
First to go was the cassette for a 12-27 and FD to a dura-ace 7803 and 7803 RD.
Eventually went to a set of 7803 shifters so all would match.
Shifting on the 6703 was fine but the 7803 feels better. I imagine the Ultegra shifts better than the 105 also.

Dean V

It is obviously a personal thing but I much prefer the shape of the 9 speed (6500) hoods to the 6700. Actually I found 6700 to be the worst out of the recent Shimano models for shifting and comfort.

zonatandem

Have used/tested STI, DI-2 and most other shifting systems in our 40+ years of tandeming, and guess what???
Went back to 9- speed bar end shifters. Easy to use, reliable, less hassle and no fidgeting and a heck of a lot less expen$ive!
Just our opinion and experience.
Pedal on!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

Dean V

Why the preference for bar end shifters over down tube shifters?