STI or barend shifters?
06-24-08 | 04:00 PM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 818
Likes: 1
I'll also suggest an alternative:
DT shifters with Kelly Take Offs -I love mine and they combine the comfort and ease of (almost) STI shifting at the handlebars coupled with the simplicity of DT shifters. Cables won't get in the way of the front handlebar bag as well. They also free up your ability to not be married to short pull levers -so long pull levers and v-brakes are easily done.
These are definitely my first choice of shifters for touring. If I was commuting mostly, I'd use STI as STI is just that bit more convenient.
DT shifters with Kelly Take Offs -I love mine and they combine the comfort and ease of (almost) STI shifting at the handlebars coupled with the simplicity of DT shifters. Cables won't get in the way of the front handlebar bag as well. They also free up your ability to not be married to short pull levers -so long pull levers and v-brakes are easily done.
These are definitely my first choice of shifters for touring. If I was commuting mostly, I'd use STI as STI is just that bit more convenient.
06-24-08 | 04:01 PM
#27
Caffeinated.
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 1
From: Waltham, MA
Bikes: Waterford 1900, Quintana Roo Borrego, Trek 8700zx, Bianchi Pista Concept
I have used both STI (Dura Ace, Ultegra, Tiagra -8/9spd), as well as bar-end (9spd). I like both, but it really depends on the application.
I used the bar end set-up on my year tour, and was very happy with it. No adjusting-I even had to change cranks (and ring sizes) mid-tour, and still worked fine!
I've had a Dura Ace 9spd STI rear shifter fail, but it was gradual over a few weeks of riding (on a road bike-at home). No problems with the replacement.
In short, for the OP I'd say stick with the STI (for now). You can allways change later. When/if planning a 2nd world/"outback" tour I allways-allmost anoyingly, suggest using a 26" wheeled bike.
I used the bar end set-up on my year tour, and was very happy with it. No adjusting-I even had to change cranks (and ring sizes) mid-tour, and still worked fine!
I've had a Dura Ace 9spd STI rear shifter fail, but it was gradual over a few weeks of riding (on a road bike-at home). No problems with the replacement.
In short, for the OP I'd say stick with the STI (for now). You can allways change later. When/if planning a 2nd world/"outback" tour I allways-allmost anoyingly, suggest using a 26" wheeled bike.
06-24-08 | 07:25 PM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 194
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06-24-08 | 09:29 PM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 431
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From: Manhattan KS
Bikes: 2001 Giant OCR w/105-10spd, Schwinn High-Plains Built for Commute plus 3 Others in Various Stages of Rebuild/Repair
I use the same system and it works great. I actually thought about going with SRAM for my LHT but then decided that if I should have problems with them it would be much more of one than with shimano due to availability issues. Shimano appears to be heading towards the both cables under the bar direction on the 2009 DA, so I'd expect that to trickle down into new Ultegra in 2010ish... and 10spd MTB can't be to far off either, so I'd imagine you could be seeing a viable touring setup in that style with shimano componentry before to much longer.
06-30-08 | 01:26 PM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 85
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From: poole,dorset,uk
Bikes: cannondale m800 , kona kilauea,carrera valoure,
i love my sti , as i ride on the hoods most of the time and when in traffic its much eayer, i still love the look of bar ends though and ive got some old campag ones to go on my old falcon when i ever do it lol, STI all the way ,
paul
paul
