kirke

Hey All,
I have never used any kind of integrated shifter before. Its always been downtube shifters for me. But I am thinking about getting some STI's for the first time and using them on a classic-bend Nitto road bar.

On most current bikes with anatomic handlebars it seems the "brifters" sit very high up on the bars. I'm assuming this is done because of the bend of the bar and because of comfort.

Comfort aside, I think it looks god-awful.

My question is, though, are current STI's designed strictly for anatomic-bend handlebars?
How will they fit onto some Nitto B-176s?

Thanks for any insight and advice!

conspiratemus

I use Campy Centaur Ergo levers with classic-bend Cinelli bars on one of my classic 80's bikes. I place them just where I would any other aero-cabled lever. They look great and fit my hands nicely. If STI levers don't seem to look right -- can't say, haven't tried them -- give Campy a try. Centaur is good value.

jan nikolajsen 

Does it ever. Modern Ultegra/DA especially. Yuck!! I have some older 8 speed Dura Ace brifters, and while not scoring high on the appearance chart, they look okay on regular Nitto bars.

If you're starting from scratch, try alloy Centaur as already suggested. Best looking option, IMO, and will be just fine on classic bars.

Here's my 8 speed DA, judge for yourself:

fixedgearinker

I have 10sp Veloce on my bike, with vintage Cinelli 66-40 bars. I love the feel, they look nice and are very comfortable riding in the drops or on the hoods....

RobbieTunes

I'm running STI's on Nitto B115's, Cinelli 66-42's, and had some on some Ambrosio's. If you can polish the STI's, they tend to look a lot better. They do disturb the fine lines of a classic bike to some extent, especially if the rider likes to ride the hoods and mounts 'em high.

I've found the Ergo's to be better looking, and since I ride the drops, I mount all my STI's lower and it tends to lessen the bulbous look to some extent. Like the photos above, if you work to maintain a clean line from the bar out through the top of the hoods, you'll make them look as good as they're gonna look.

-holiday76

nitto b115's with chorus cf ergo's work for me visually and comfort-wise.

Reynolds 

I had problems when trying to put Ergos on a '90s 3ttt bar. When I tightened the bolt, the Ergos tilted to the side. Had to use some new Deda bars, altough I liked the classic ones best. Later I read on a Campagnolo brochure that not all bars are suitable for Ergos.

kirke

Thanks for all of the replies so far.

Jan -- Your Gazelle with the 8sp DA looks fantastic. Makes me think maybe its more the anatomic bars that look weird to me rather than the STIs.

Holiday76 -- what kind of perforated bar tape is that? I need some of that for my DeBernardi!

I agree in general that Ergo looks better than STI. Wel, I have much consideration to do...

RobbieTunes

Not to mention some money to spend, eh?

Ronsonic 

Ergo seems to fit classic bar bends better both aesthetically and ergonomically than STI does. Neither is at its best on a classic bar at least for my wide paddles.

-holiday76

leather perf bar tape from Velo Orange.

Ronsonic 

One thing to mention. Along with the move to brifters there's been a bit of general evolution in bike position for racing. Used to be just cruising along in the peloton was done on the tops now it's done on the hoods. The top of the bar is generally lower with a slightly shorter drop so the drops are pretty much where they've always been. The levers get cranked up the bar to somewhat shorten the reach and make the hoods a little more cozy while being a bit more out of the wind. Average racing speeds are up a bit for it.

None of this has anything to do with most of us, so just set it all up so it's comfortable for your riding.