DogBoy

I'm thinking it was mid 90s. Someone asked me the other day and I didn't know. I'm looking for when it became "standard" on bikes, rather than when first introduced. Thanks.

Al1943

Standard? 1995

DieselDan

Shimano outfitted a team in 1989 with a prototype STI groupset, then marketed them in 1990. I really can't tell you when they became standred, as the '90s was all MTB all the time.

'nother

I by no means an expert, but '95 seems late to me. I bought a low-end MTB in 1991 and even that had STI, "standard".

jsharr

For me it happened on May 2, 2005. Traded in my old down tube shifter Trek 1000 for a new Tiagra/105 equipped Trek 1200.

531Aussie

I thought it was more like 1991 or 1992. I bought some 8 speed 105 levers in either '92 or '93, and I'm pretty slow at picking up new stuff

https://www.chainreaction.com/oclvhistory.htm

55/Rad

I remember reading about them in '90 and seeing them in '91.

I, however, cannot remember where I left my keys.

55/Rad

Moochers_Dad

The first STI system was downtube in the mid 80's. It was a six speed system.

Then they released the STI brake-lever shifters in 1991; which is pretty much what 55/Rad said.

alanbikehouston

Shimano has a clever and effective marketing plan that they used with STI, and are using with 10 cog bikes today. Around 1989, their sponsored Pro teams got Dura Ace STI, 1990, the unwashed masses got Dura Ace STI, a year later Ultegra, a year after that, 105, and a year after that, it was available on entry level groups. That "five year" roll out builds anticipation, makes the new innovation seem important, and provides time to phase out and sell off the older stuff.

So, by 1995, it was difficult to find a top quality "new" road bike with fast, precise shifting. STI had taken over. Likewise, by 2009, if you want a high quality road bike, your choices will be "do you want ten cogs, or do you want ten cogs?" Pseudo-progress on the five year plan.

531Aussie

Yeah, it's hard to get a straight answer if you ask the LBS:
"I've just spent $400 on 9 speed DA levers; how long will 9 speed cassettes be available?"

sydney

Guess it all depends on the definition of 'standard' doesn't it folks? There are bikes still being sold with downtube shifters. Maybe the word should be common or mainstream or whatever........

lala

Heh, it still hasn't happened for me.

operator

They switched when they figured out they could gouge people on STI brifters and that people would pay for them.

formulaben

If people voluntarily pay for them is that really gouging? Hmmm. I guess it depends on your point of view. I feel "gouging" us a bit strong: I use it for monopolistic practices, and with STI you do have a choice: STI in Dura Ace, Ultegra, 105, or Tiagra form, OR you STILL can buy Shimano bar end shifters for you retro-grouches (even in Dura Ace!) As for me, I consider STI brifters to be the biggest safety advance on a bicycle in the last 30 years, save perhaps clipless pedals. The one glaring reason I now have a new bike is because of an incident revolving around my ~1984 downtube shifting bike, an uphill gradient, and a dumptruck.

My 2 cents: I say STI is a bargain and I'll gladly pay for it again.

gknep

In 93 I bought a new Specialized Allez Comp which was available that year with 8 speed STI or 8 Spd downtube shifted 105. I got the downtube shifters because it was cheaper. I don't know if they did that for the 94 model or not.

F1_Fan

For mainstream retail I believe it was 1991. My 1991 Specialized Allez Epic came with Dura-Ace STI 8-speed. I'm pretty sure that was the first model year that the group was common (and not a special order).

1989 the Dual Control levers were ridden by pro riders in prototype form. 1990 the group was released with the STI shifters.

https://dura-ace.shimano.com/publish/...tory/7400.html

Trsnrtr

That system was called SIS. Shimano Index System or Shimano Index Shifting or some such. I used to have a 600 six speed retro kit from 1986 to convert friction to indexed.

Timo

first prototypes: 1988 and 1989 (Hampsten in the Giro)
first official use for pro teams: 1990 (really, I checked my 1989 TdF videos and none of the Shimano equipped teams had them as standard item).
first in store: 1991 Dura-Ace (available since late 1990)
Campagnolo followed with Ergopower in 1992

Adgooroo

OK, I HAVE STI on my bikes, but I still don't know what it stands for.

F1_Fan

Shimano Total Integration

LV2TNDM

SIS stands for Shimano Indexed System. Shimano loves those acronyms! But this refers to all Shimano indexed shifting, which included the downtube, barcon, and thumbshifting systems. It predated the production and widespread usage of STI (Shimano Total Integration), which became prevalant in the 90's.
I remember Tour riders in the late 80's riding STI before it was available to the public.

F1_Fan

Unless you have pictures to contradict this: 8-speed SIS was at the '88 Giro. 8-speed STI was at the '89 Giro.

https://dura-ace.shimano.com/publish/...tory/7400.html

LV2TNDM

Some of the many Shimano acronyms off the top of my head:
SIS: Shimano Indexed System
STI: Shimano Total Integration
SLR: Shimano Linear Response
HG: HyperGlide
IG: InteractiveGlide
SPD: Shimano Pedalling Dynamics

Let the acronym acrobatics commence!

Fox Farm

I believe about 1988 or so.

ed073

Spot on.