STI shifters compatability
#1
STI shifters compatability
I ride a 2015 Kona Sutra, and I currently have bar end shifters. Is it possible to swap the bar end shifters to STI shifters since I have a MTB crank? as I am thinking about swapping to a carbon Handlebar and Stem
Crank: Shimano Deore Crank 48-36-22
F/D: SRAM X5
R/D: Shimano Deore SGS
Cassette: 11-34 (9 speed)
Crank: Shimano Deore Crank 48-36-22
F/D: SRAM X5
R/D: Shimano Deore SGS
Cassette: 11-34 (9 speed)
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,579
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From: Pearland, Texas
Bikes: Cannondale, Trek, Raleigh, Santana
I ride a 2015 Kona Sutra, and I currently have bar end shifters. Is it possible to swap the bar end shifters to STI shifters since I have a MTB crank? as I am thinking about swapping to a carbon Handlebar and Stem
Crank: Shimano Deore Crank 48-36-22
F/D: SRAM X5
R/D: Shimano Deore SGS
Cassette: 11-34 (9 speed)
Crank: Shimano Deore Crank 48-36-22
F/D: SRAM X5
R/D: Shimano Deore SGS
Cassette: 11-34 (9 speed)
Brad
#3
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,908
Likes: 249
From: NE Ohio
Bikes: 1992 Serotta Colorado II,Co-Motion Speedster, Giant Escape Hybrid, 1977 Schwinn Super Le Tour
You may also have an issue with the brakes. I believe the Sutra comes with cantilever brakes. Make sure the STI will work with them.
#4
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Gypsum, CO
Bikes: Litespeed Obed, Cannondale Scalpel, Spcialized AWOL, Litespeed Solano, Cannondale Synapse
#6
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Japan
azza, yours is a mtn crankset and likes to be paired with mtn or bar end shifters and mtn FD which is designed for shifting on 47-50mm mtn chainlines. STIs won't work well with mtn FDs, so you need to use a road FD which are designed for shifting narrower road chainlines ~45mm. You can swap one of the 2.5mm plastic BB spacers from the DS to NDS to reduce the chainline from 50mm to 47.5mm and try using a 9s road triple FD with your STIs. It may work, but I think shifting to the large chainring would not be good. A trekking crankset which uses a square taper BB would be easier to match with road FD and STIs because you can use a BB with correct spindle length to bring the chainline all the way in to ~45mm. With your Hollowtech mtn crankset you can only reduce it to 47.5mm. Also, STIs will work with some models of 9s mtn RDs but not others, so you may have that to ponder as well.
Last edited by hyakuyen; 04-25-15 at 09:12 AM. Reason: thought his was a 10s ^2015 model^
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 4
From: Seattle
Bikes: Kuota Ksano. Litespeed T5 gravel - brilliant!
azza, I came across the following article written by a local manufacturer. It is relevant to your bike and even though the R&E folks pride themselves for being unconventional, they really know their stuff.9sp and 10sp
#8
Nigel
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,991
Likes: 7
From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: 1980s and 1990s steel: CyclePro, Nishiki, Schwinn, SR, Trek........
You need to switch to a Shimano road triple front derailleur - look for one that is rated 50T max.
You may or may not have to move your chain line, you can determine that after getting the front derailleur.
You may or may not have to move your chain line, you can determine that after getting the front derailleur.





