What would you prefer to have?

A separate Shifter Pod and separate brake lever? or a combined lever and shifter together?
https://secure5.nexternal.com/icycle...deorelxpod.jpgShimano Deore SL-M510 PLUS https://secure9.nexternal.com/icycle...s/avid2.0x.jpg Avid Lever FR5



or https://secure5.nexternal.com/icycles/images/stm510.jpg Shimano Deore ST-M510
Please indicate your bike type and why you chose your preference.
Thanks :)

All my past bikes have had integrated shifters and brake levers units and I currently have ST-M952 combined shift/brake levers on my MTB. I would much rather them be seperate pods but that's how they came with the bike. If I want to switch to hydraulic brakes then I'd need to replace the shifters too. Also, I can't independently adjust my shifters and brake lever positions although I haven't really found a need to do so.

http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/cycling/...0/PICT0004.JPG

I dont plan on going hydraulic any time soon.

BTW, i updated the components in the first thread so its more descriptive.

I have Deore shifters + Avid FR-5 brake levers. I prefer them to be separate so I can pick and choose which shifters and levers I wish to use. Also, khuon makes a good point about going hydro.

which bike is that on???

I worked out that its the FR5 brake levers that i have on my Giant Innova 2005 (with disc brakes)

Seperate everytime. Combined just makes things expensive as they brake

Separate is the only way to go because if one part break, then you only have to replace that part. And if you wanted to upgrade either part that would be more cost effective to do. That's what I found out when my shifter broke. And besides it's nice to have different brake levers and shifter.

Combined is better for the bike factories because then they only have to bolt one thing onto the handlebar. Combined is better for the component makers because then Tektro doesn't get the brake lever sale and profit.

If your name isn't Shimano and you don't own a bike factory, separate is better:
1. You can adjust them on the handlebar independently of one another.
2. If you decide to upgrade a part of your bike, you don't have to replace both brake levers and shifters at the same time.
3. If you break a shifter or brake lever, the replacement cost is much less.

I have a Trek 4600, with SRAM X.7 hardware and separate brake levers. The thought I get when I hear about Shimano's combined pods is that they are just trying to monopolize their systems and force people to spend more money if something breaks.

I have a 2005 Specialized Hardrock Pro with Avid BB7 disc brakes. The FR-5 is actually a pretty solid lever for being a lower-end model. They're not adjustable like their Speed Dial series, but they're still decent.

And those levers aren't the FR-5 that you show above... I believe they're an older SD2.0L. The FR5's don't have the speed dial adjuster that those levers you show have.

Was that a typo? ;)

:D...or on purpose...

I'm not fussy. Never had an issue with either setup...

Ok thanks, i can see the benefits of both sides now.

The situation is that my new bike i just got was supposed to have the deore combo ( Shimano Deore ST-M510) pod as show in the first thread, but instead it came with the deore 9 speed shifter (for use with these derailers; Front: Shimano Deore
Rear: Shimano Deore LX 9 Speed) and separate Avid FR5 brake lever (for use with Hayes MX2 mechanical Disc brakes)

So now my question becomes:
1. is the Deore shifters and Avid FR5 Brake lever a more expensive option if i had to replace both at the same time, compared to the cost of the Shimano Deore ST-M510 combo pod?

2. Is there any reliability issues with the Avid FR5 levers compared to Shimano Brake levers of similar price?

Thanks

One thing you are missing, does the pod shift different...? I thaught it did, reminds me of a road bike... we all (well many of us) know that those road shifters are way expensive... Things break on a mountain bike and unless you do not crash then why put a 200+ dollar part that is in harms way?

Oh I love the flight deck system on the bike above

What do you mean; 'do they shift differently'? They are they same shifter, one is a stand alone shifter and the other is a combo unit.

Sorry I dont understand what you mean.

Am i missing something in his comment?

bump...

Sorry, i still want to understand this?