Does anyone know if you can shorten the throw and/or lessen the pressure needed to shift on sti shifters. After long rides or bigger mileage weeks my arthritis flares up really bad in my fingers which makes life a bit more difficult. Was wondering if you can alter the spring tension and throw of the levers so that it doesn't aggravate my fingers. I have bar end shifters on my cx/commuter bike that don't cause any flair ups but not too psyched about bar end shifters on my litespeed (cable stops are too high up on down tube for down tube shifters). Anyone have a suggestion?

Stop popping your knuckles.

There are ultegra level sti shifters that have a choice of two shims that can bring the levers closer to the handlebar. Intended for small hands. Is that helpful?

9 speed ST-R600
10 speed ST-R700

they both are for double or triple chain rings according to a 2006 shimano manual.

Not to start a religious war, but that is the reason I prefer the campy ergo over the sti. Might be worth checking out if you can find an ergo setup somewhere.

Did it occur that it could have nothing to do with popping knuckles?

Maybe some down tubes shifters would be in order? My understanding is the can clamp em on to new frames

Don't know if it's true or not, but I heard once that cracking/popping of joints is mostly due to tight muscles, tendons and ligaments that pull the joints out of alignment.

Are you taking your arthritis medicine prior to going out (I'm assuming you probably have osteoarthritis vs. rheumatoid or seronegative...?)

Here's 2 very off the wall:

1. Check eBay for clamp-on dt shifters....Mavic/simplex retrofrictions, for example, shift like silk, last forever, etc. This would leave a pair of redundant stops showing. Also, assuming 10 speed, that's pretty short throws with much room for shifting error and lotsa trimming. DuraAce indexed bar-ends may not be zoot enough for the LItespeed, but they work well. Your mileage may be more important than "the look".

2. Aerobar.....I have a troublesome wrist and long rides with time on the aero bars gives my hands/wrists a break.

I have thought about the Campy solution, seems like with the thumb shifter, that would reduce my finger work by 1/2. Also the over the counter arthritis stuff doesn't help me too much and my insurance isn't wanting to pay for Celebrex and the like. No, I don't pop my knuckles and even if I did, that has never been proven to cause arthritis.

Ride with some bend in your elbows. Try to relax your arms and hands more, reduce stiffness and tension. Move your hands to various positions during a ride. You may need to work with your fit on the bike. While it is true that Campy shifters require less pressure for shifting, changing brands is probably not going to make much difference to your arthritis symtoms. Your position on the bike may. I have osteo-arthritis, STI, and Campy Ergo.

Al