Isn't is recommended to have Shifters and Brake Levers seperate vs. integrated?

Steve Bailey

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Dec 4, 1999, 3:00:00 AM12/4/99

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With road bikes, the trend for about 8 years or so, has been integrated
brake and shift levers. Shimano calls it STI, while Campy calls it
Ergopower.

Advantages:

- The shifters are closer to the hands, thus you tend to shift more often,
which promotes spinning, which is a good thing.

- You can shift and brake at the same time, which is useful at
intersections.

- You can shift while standing, which is very useful while climbing.

- You always have your hands on the h-bar, no more reaching to the downtube
for the shift levers.

Disadvantages:

- The system is heavier than standard brake levers and either downtube
shifers or bar-cons.

- If something breaks, you sometimes have to replace both levers. In
reality, the systems are pretty reliable.

- Your ability to shift can go south in the event of a crash damaging the
levers. (True of anything actually)

- The systems tend to be more sensitive to correct cable tension then older
downtube and bar-con systems, thus you have to keep the cables and housings
clean.

Bottom line is that this is the standard for road bikes these days, for good
reason. You would end up paying extra for standard aero levers and downtube
shifters. Some recent bikes are no longer equipped with shifter posts
mounted on the downtubes to allow use of downtube shifters, instead a set of
cable stops are provided for, usually with a set of cable tension adjusters.

With mountain bikes a similar trend was started when Shimano developed
Rapidfire integrated shift and brake levers. After many complaints, and
after losing substantial market share to Gripshift, they separated the
shifters from the levers to allow more personal choice as to brake levers
and shifters, both in terms of location on the h-bar, and in terms of the
actual manufacturer of the parts themselves (not Shimano's intention, but a
result none the less).

SB

Bryan <bk...@mail.utexas.edu> wrote in message
news:3849d392...@newshost.cc.utexas.edu...
> Isn't is recommended to have Shifters and Brake Levers seperate vs.
> integrated?
> ======================
>
>
> I always thought that if one broke you could replace one, instead of
> the entire set.
>
> Why are the higher end Treks using intergrating shifter/lever sets?
> Cheaper for them?
>
> Should I grip about this to the LBS, or is this something that is
> trivial? If integrated sets are to be avoided, what is the cost
> difference?
>
> Thanks again guys/gals,
> Bryan
>

Roger

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Dec 4, 1999, 3:00:00 AM12/4/99

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Bryan wrote:
>
> Isn't is recommended to have Shifters and Brake Levers seperate vs.
> integrated?
> ======================
>
> I always thought that if one broke you could replace one, instead of
> the entire set.
>
> Why are the higher end Treks using intergrating shifter/lever sets?
> Cheaper for them?
>
> Should I grip about this to the LBS, or is this something that is
> trivial? If integrated sets are to be avoided, what is the cost
> difference?

The main advantage of separate shifters on MTBs is usually that you can
switch to friction shift if something gets damaged. Personally, I think
Shimano went too far with Rapidfire - the first time I tried
thumbshifters I though they were the bee's knees and I still do. I've
tried Rapidfire and it seems like progress for progress's sake.

On road bikes, STI does offer a real advantage over down tube levers and
the risk of components being damaged isn't as high. The only downside
is the extra complexity of the shifters - the cost is comparable these
days.
--
Roger

Web: http://freespace.virgin.net/roger.cantwell
ICQ: 40038278
*** Please remove 'filler' from the Reply address ***

Greg Frazier

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Dec 4, 1999, 3:00:00 AM12/4/99

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When I converted to 9 speed I chose to use less expensive LX brake levers
with XT shifter pods. I like that I can position the shifter pod and not
move the brake lever. It also leaves me a little more flexibility if I get
the bug to get a disk brake set up.

The choice is pretty much a personal one. If it is on a new bike your LBS
should be pretty flexible about the labor to replace it but be prepared to
make up any cost difference.

Issue of reparability is pretty moot so far as the pod it self goes, but if
you break or tweak brake levers often it could save a real headache if you
have separate ones.

Separate right/left pods are usually available from QPB and you LBS will be
able to get them with little trouble.

Best of luck

Greg

"Bryan" <bk...@mail.utexas.edu> wrote in message
news:3849d392...@newshost.cc.utexas.edu...

> Isn't is recommended to have Shifters and Brake Levers seperate vs.
> integrated?
> ======================
>
>
> I always thought that if one broke you could replace one, instead of
> the entire set.
>
> Why are the higher end Treks using intergrating shifter/lever sets?
> Cheaper for them?
>
> Should I grip about this to the LBS, or is this something that is
> trivial? If integrated sets are to be avoided, what is the cost
> difference?
>

> Thanks again guys/gals,
> Bryan
>

Tim McNamara