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Why are brifters so expensive?

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Old 09-09-09, 10:29 AM
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Originally Posted by AEO
STI (shimano) or Ergo (campagnolo) levers.
That refers to a specific sort, not the notion of an integrated brake/ shift lever system.

Originally Posted by norskagent
brake shifters.
Annoying, especially when it can be easily be contracted into a single, shorter word.

Sure, "brifter" sounds somewhat silly, but it strikes me as no different from saying "gas" instead of "gasoline", or any number of other words that have been abbreviated or contracted for simplicity.
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Old 09-09-09, 10:33 AM
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I say "integrated shifters" if I am talking to someone who won't understand "brifters".
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Old 09-09-09, 10:48 AM
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Shakers
Brafters
Shrakers
Shift-y brake-y thingy
Shake and bake...???

...nah!
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Old 09-09-09, 10:54 AM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by Bah Humbug
That refers to a specific sort, not the notion of an integrated brake/ shift lever system.



Annoying, especially when it can be easily be contracted into a single, shorter word.

Sure, "brifter" sounds somewhat silly, but it strikes me as no different from saying "gas" instead of "gasoline", or any number of other words that have been abbreviated or contracted for simplicity.
what's wrong with STI or ergo levers? why do you hate names?

why don't I just call you bumbug?
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Old 09-09-09, 11:00 AM
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Originally Posted by AEO
what's wrong with STI or ergo levers? why do you hate names?

why don't I just call you bumbug?
STI refers only to Shimano's system; ergo levers refers only to Campagnolo's system. What word would you suggest to refer to the notion of an integrated brake/ shift lever?

And why wasn't your post:

Originally Posted by AEO
what is wrong with STI or ergo levers? why do you hate names?

why do I not just call you bumbug?
I'll ask again: what's wrong with abbreviations and contractions?
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Old 09-09-09, 11:04 AM
  #31  
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just call them for what they are.
I don't get paid enough to come up with new crappy names for products.
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Old 09-09-09, 11:11 AM
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Originally Posted by AEO
just call them for what they are.
I don't get paid enough to come up with new crappy names for products.
They're brake/ shift levers. I'll shorten that to brifters if I like. Sit there and be annoyed, if that's what you'll do. Watch me care.
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Old 09-09-09, 11:13 AM
  #33  
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Just call them levers
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Old 09-09-09, 11:16 AM
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You cared enough to keep replying about it

Call them what you want, but we will keep calling it a stupid word. Like gruppo.
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Old 09-09-09, 11:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Bah Humbug
They're brake/ shift levers. I'll shorten that to brifters if I like. Sit there and be annoyed, if that's what you'll do. Watch me care.
just watch the shift/ brake lever crowd come up with an all new word. "shaker levers"
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Old 09-09-09, 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by surfengine
I think the OP was refering to ALL shifters and not just the DA.

Check the prices people are paying for these things on EBAY. 6 year old beat to hell tiagra going for $150.
I had been tracking the prices for a while now and have been shocked at what ppl are willing to pay for them.
Maybe you are looking at the wrong auctions. I just picked up some Ultegra 6600's brand new for 222. I found plenty for a reasonable price.

Actually, I'll give you that anything under 10sp seems a bit high, but blame it on the many people bidding on 9speed and 8speed stuff and the limited supply.
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Old 09-09-09, 11:25 AM
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They are expensive because that's what the market will bear. Simple economics.
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Old 09-09-09, 11:44 AM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by cshell


Time for a new term.
Originally Posted by tagaproject6
Shakers
Brafters
Shrakers
Shift-y brake-y thingy
Shake and bake...???

...nah!
nice.

"shakes"


you're also overlooking all the clinical trials and FDA approval.
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Old 09-09-09, 12:10 PM
  #39  
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you can thank people with more money than sense for the cost of cycling gear.
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Old 09-22-09, 12:31 AM
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Originally Posted by AEO
STI (shimano) or Ergo (campagnolo) levers.
I like 'Stergos'.
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Old 09-22-09, 10:41 AM
  #41  
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Originally Posted by BlackWRX
Sorry if this question is stupid but I just don't understand.
It is quite common for lay persons who have no background in manufacturing to grossly oversimplify the processes required. As someone who has a background in metal forming and machining, I can tell you that reliably forming small metal parts is very complicated and expensive. Machined parts devour tooling and forged parts require expensive tooling as well. There are many parts and they all have to stay in spec or poor function and longevity will be the result.

Frankly, I find it hard to believe they make much $$ on these kinds of parts. I know what kind of chops you have to have to do it right, and not many factories can pull it off.

This is why you find plastic parts in so many things now that don't last very long. Drills used to last for decades with all metal gears. Not anymore. Crack open a DVD player and every bloody part is plastic. Makes it cheaper to manufacture, both in materials and tooling. But now a throwaway item after a few hundred uses.

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Old 09-22-09, 10:51 AM
  #42  
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Anyone who thinks they're too expensive can make their own. Or, alternatively, there's always downtube shifting.
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