cyclingdaddy

I have a 1992 Basso road bike with great functioning Ultegra 600 8 speed down-tube shifters, deraileurs, etc. I would like to upgrade to STI control levers. The bike has been well cared for, so a new bike is not needed. Should I get new ST-R500 8 speed levers, used ST-6400 8 speed levers, or upgrade to newer 9 speed control levers (ST-6510 or R600)? What am I getting into if I try to get 9 speeds? Do I need a new crank, rear hub, cassette, deraileur, chain with 9 speeds? I know that the new BBs are a different size, so a crank change is probably out of the question.

Thanks,

Jeff

FLYcrash

A nice primer, in case you haven't read it:

https://sheldonbrown.com/upgrade-gears.html

But if the shifting system is working well, why not just stick with it? Are downtube shifters really so onerous? I'm actually specing downtube shifters for my current build. I like their clean lines, simplicity, and relative lack of cable slop.

cyclingdaddy

The main reason I would like to upgrade is to have shifting at my fingertips. I know I don't shift as much as other guys because I have to reach down. As I approach 50, I can't muscle up the hills as easily. Also, my left hand gets numb a lot, and it would be great to keep the right hand on the bar.

Al1943

If you now have a Shimano (or compatible) 8-speed cassette, all you need are Shimano 9-speed STI shifters, 9-speed cassette, 9-speed chain, and handlebar tape. Or you could probably convert to 10-speed (shifters, cassette, and chain) if you have a double crankset. Don't cut the shift bosses off the frame, you'll need those for the cable housing stops.

Al

cyclingdaddy

Thanks Al.

Will I be able to use the existing rear deraileur?

Al1943

Yes, assuming it is in good working order and NOT a Dura-Ace.

tellyho

I'd go 9 speed, as 8 speeds will be headed the way of the dinosaur shortly. It's already harder to find components.

DieselDan

Shimano R500 brifters.

cyclingdaddy

I guess 9 speeds will go the way of the dinosaur sooner or later too. What am I getting into going to 10 speeds? My rear dropout width is 130mm. I could replace shifters, cassette, chain, front & rear derailleurs. Does the crank have to be replaced too? My BB is 68mm English threads. Seems like it will work with the Hollowtech stuff?

Al1943

If your crankset is a double it may work with a 10-speed drivetrain. If it is a triple it may work but there will likely be some problems and it may not work at all. There are so many uncontrolled variables that there is no way to know for sure without trying. If you go with a 10-speed crankset it will need a compatible bottom bracket and that probably means a new BB. It may make more econamic sense to buy a new bicycle. The components on a new bicycle are less expensive than the sum of the parts.
You'll just need to add up all possibilities and compare upgrading to 9-speed, upgrading to 10-speed, and buing a new bike. If you buy a new bike you could keep the old bike for rain days or commuting.

Al

cyclingdaddy

Thanks Al.

My frame is classic columbus tubing with a great feel. It would be a waste to make it a beater. I already have one anyway. I guess now its just a matter of budget. I've seen 5 piece and 8 piece upgrade kits for 10 speed Ultegra 6600. The 5 piece kit runs about $400 without the crank & BB. If I need the crank & BB, then its another $300 or so. New bikes are far more than that, but then you start thinking about wheels, brakes, etc. If you get carried away, it could never end.

Didn't I start this all by saying I just want STI?

Thanks and good night. You've all been very helpful.

Dhorn33

Why not just keep your eyes on Ebay or CL for a used set of 8 speed STI shifters - or maybe even an entire bike with them so you can swap them out and resell the rest? You may be able to find an entire bike for the price of the shifters! I just bought a 92 Paramount Series 7 with full Shimano 600 Ultegra stuff including the brifters for $180. I would assume that if I was in your position I could swap out the brifters and install the downtube shifters on the studs and then resell the bike for as much or more than what I paid. Just a thought from a very thrifty biker....

FLYcrash

+1

A pair of 8 speed STIs would only need new cable work and new bar tape to be a complete solution. (I don't remember, but I think that those STIs have aero routing for the brakes and not for the shift cables...?)

It's $180 for a pair of Sora 8-speed STIs at Harris, inclusive of cables. That's a price point/quality level you could easily surpass with a little shopping - you could demolish it with the resourcefulness of Dhorn33 - but at least it's a baseline.

Dhorn33

Yep - only the brake cables get routed under the bar tape while the shifter cables do not. This is my 2nd road bike in the past month - the first being an older Nishiki that was lower end and didn't have aero levers or brifters. I love the aero levers and brifters so far - they are awesome compared to the stem mounted Light Action shifters that were on my other bike.

One other thing - when I bought my bike the right (rear derailler) shifter didn't do anything at all so the previous owner thought it was junk. I had experienced this same thing with Rapid Fire Plus MTB shifters so I took a chance and tried to flush it out with WD40. It took a few times but after a short the time shifter was back to normal and shifting perfectly again. I also replaced all the cables and housing - but only because the bike came with tri-bars and I switched over to standard drop bars with a theaded to threadless adapter and threadless stem to make it easier for me to swap stems to get the bike fit properly. Anyway - good luck on this.

Al1943

Going to 9-speed would definitely be a better choice than 8-speed since your objective is STI shifting. All you need to purchase is 9-speed shifters, chain, cassette and bar tape. New cables and housings come with the new shifters. 9-speed components are still plentiful (except Ultegra double bottom brackets).
You could make a comparison with going to 10-speed, but there is some question as to how well your crankset will work with 10-speed components.

Al