So I've got a shimano sl-1055 front derailleur shifter on a trek 2100. When the shifters are pushed all the way away, where they would normally be aligned with the downtube, the left side stops before it's aligned. I've taken that thing off and looked it over and it absolutely looks like it is not supposed to go any further, consider the notch in the shimano mounting space that goes between the frame and the shifter. Look at the pic and let me know if you have any thoughts.
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...14744129_o.jpg

It is not supposed to go any further. Shimano changed their design in the late 80's so that the front shifter would never be flat against the down tube. I believe this was for safety (not aesthetic) reasons.

Not attacking, but curious. Has Shimano, or anyone else, ever explained what the lever position has to do with safety.

I'm curious, too. I didn't really notice it on my RX100 bike until I acquired a SunTour Accushift bike where the front shift lever went all the way forward like its mate.

Odd...
I'm still in the dark ages with friction shifting.

Left shifter uses about 1/2 of its range. Probably the cable could be tightened a bit.
Right shifter uses 100% of the range, tube to tube (running 9s).

I could imagine reducing pinching, but my guess is that the reason would be more for usability. It is slightly easier to grab the shift lever if it isn't flat next to the tube. They could, of course, reduce the range on the right by increasing the size of the round part on the bottom of the shifter, but a large sweep is nice for leverage and fine movements. Plus, one can always tell what gear one is in when the shifter is flat parallel to the tube.

Huh? I have the SL-R400 8-speed and it doesn't do that on the front side.
Take it off and shift it forward a notch... see instructions

FWIW my new Dura Ace DT shifters are like that too. I can't recall precisely what it said in the directions, but it was something rather vague like: "Left shift lever stops before fully forward position to provide improved use of function".

Yup. It's actually kind of nice; easier to grab. Just different from the old days.

Yes, ergonomics makes more sense than safety. I don't care whether it makes any difference to the user, or not, but the reference to it being safety related made me curious.

Now that it's explained I can go back to not caring.

Learned something today. Like every day, on this forum. Thank you!

Well..... if I might speak frankly... IMO that is just stupid. And why didn't they do that on the rear lever?

And your point??

It's the bike business.

BITD we used to set up our bikes so we were using the levers at the middle of their range, which was about double what was needed. So Shimano was only imposing what we were doing anyway.

It might have been done because when we changed from noodle guides above the BB to open ones, overtravel in the lever could cause enough cable slack for it to slip out of the guide.

Interesting. I just bought a pair of R400 shifters (Shimano still makes them, they're brand new) and the front lever goes all the way down until it's flat against the down tube. There is even a little bit of a click in the end. Front lever is Light Action tho, not sure if that matters.

My DA 7400 does the same. Drove me nuts trying to figure out how to mount it! The difference with mine is that it does go all the way to being parallel to the DT. The function range is shorter and has a indexed spot to stop. It may still be mounted incorrectly, but it works.


It's index shifting not friction, so I really don't care where the lever ends up for the small ring.

My point? Well, I guess when I look down at the front shifter and it's at a 30 degree angle... it tells me I have trimmed the front derailleur. They have changed something that was never a problem... but that must show people how old I am.

Thanks all. Explained. On a triple like this, you end up pulling the lever way back to reach the big ring. I'd prefer it started more forward like the rear shifter.

I have a spare 1050 front shifter if you want -- I remember it pushing all the way forward when it was on the bike. PM me your address.

My '92 Paramount PDG has Exage 500 DT shifters and the left one does the same.

If I found myself with a lever like that, I would take it to the top of a high cliff, and push it off.

Thanks Thermionicscott. No need. I'm letting this one go but was bothered that it might not be right. Seems that it is as it should be.

One m I might never have Shimano drivetrains on my C&V bikes............ I just can't stand non-symmetry on anything...... First, it was Biopace...... now I find out about this.
BTW, who made that crankset with the drive arm closer to one spider leg than the other???

I always assumed it was because most people are right handed and change the left shifter with their right so it's a little easier to get at.
I may swap over to the in line with the downtube type just to see do I notice any difference.
Aesthetically it doesn't bother me because it's designed that way to work better rather then save money.

You bet!

Hmm, that's plausible! Even though I've always devoted left hand to left shifter and so on with the right hand, I've read a lot of people here say that they'll use one hand to control both, sometimes at the same time.

It bothers me exactly zero. I reverted to DT shifters for the reliability in foul weather; it doesn't hurt that they're so pretty.

BTW, who made that crankset with the drive arm closer to one spider leg than the other???[/QUOTE]
Agree, that kind of non symmetry is apalling.