jgg3

I have "Shimano 105" brifters shifting 9sp rear, front triples. They do not have a trim capability. I have a Shimano tech sheet that came with the bike (new-in-box), identifying them as either ST-5500-CA, ST-5510, or ST-R600. The sheet shows a trimming capability for double front derailleurs (FD-6500, FD-5500, FD-5501), but none for triples (FD-6503, FD-5503, FD-5504). This is the first problem. Isn't the trim function in the brifter? I mean, the number of clicks and so on. But the instructions act like it is a completely different operation depending on the front derailleur. This doesn't make sense to me.

Secondly, is there any way to actually identify the Shimano model numbers on these? I haven't started looking too hard, so be nice, but what is the difference between all these?

I pulled another spec sheet off the Shimano site last year and it is for ST-5600 and ST-R700, and clearly describes trim on a triple, with no silliness about what derailleur you have. Did I just miss the boat here? Newer ones have it, older ones don't?

HillRider

The Shimano 105 and Ultegra 9-speed STI brifters have four positions for the front derailleur. Used with a triple they provide an outer (big ring) position, middle ring position, a middle ring inner position, and a granny ring position. Used with a double they provide two positions for the small and one for the large ring.

I looked all over my 105 9-speed brifters and can't find a model number unless it's buried completely under the rubber hood.

jgg3

I found the model number under the hood, outside, near the handlebar, and covered partly by hbar tape. It is a ST-5510. I did find an extra click; meaning an extra position that could be used for trim. But this would be a position that is "middle>outer". And I found that while it is easy to use the big lever to get the trim click, going down is much more likely to just trip all the way to the granny, although with very careful touch, can get the untrim position. It would be hard to get this touch while riding, but I will try it now that I know it is there. Still investigating, but making progress.

HillRider

That makes sense. The one place I couldn't see on the lever body was the outside and the bar tape covered it. I wasn't going to disturb that so I couldn't see it.

Yes, that extra trim position is very sensitive and easy to click right through using the inner lever.

BTW, for triple users, if you are in the granny, the recommended upshift to the middle ring is to swing the outer lever slightly to get the first click then back off and swing it all the way through the second time.

DougG

I just installed 105 10-spd triple components, replacing my 8-spd triple setup with ST-R500 shifters. The ST-R500s also had a trim position, but I find that the 105 triple is much, much better when adjusted properly. I'm getting consistent up and down-shifts on all three rings now. Previously I was always fiddling with the cable adjuster to get it to work right.

Have you gone through a full adjustment to set the stops & cable tension per the Shimano instruction sheet?

TurboTurtle

Shimano 9-speed shifters (other than DA) have 5 positions (4 clicks) going from small to large and 4 positions going down. You should have 2 positions on the small, two on the middle and one on the large ring going up. Going down you will only have one for the middle, presumably so that you will get the small when needed from either position in the middle. - TF