Schwingding
new member
Reged: 06/09/04
Posts: 22
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Sorry guys, this is hardly a Calfee related question (but I do ride one!).
Concerns my wife's bike - she's got 105 triple stuff. The shifters are as stiff as can be and she just hasn't got the strength to make a good smooth shift.
I've never had to deal with triple chainring stuff before, so I don't know the answers to my questions.
1. Should triple shifting be more difficult than two?
2. Is it the low end 105 gear, or is there something wrong with this one? Its not hard for me to shift cleanly but it sure isn't like my Dura Ace bikes.
3. Can I take my spare D/A two speed shifter and replace the 105 triple shifter? They appear, from the action at least, work the same way. But I don't know, this triple stuff is new to me.
Thanks.
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Nev
captain
Reged: 05/03/04
Posts: 373
Loc: Never where I want to be
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I can't speak much to the range of road components since I'm new to this road game -- I went straight to the top (Dura Ace 10 -- a matter of opinion, I know). But I'll give my 2 cents based on my mountain biking experience.
Three rings are pretty much standard on mtb bikes. And it's should never be hard to shift between the three. I believe your 105 are pretty much entry level shimano, holding position close to the Deore on mtb bikes (although there are 4 levels below Deore). Below the 105 are Tiagra and Sora. You probably know this already.
The relevant Shimano component lineup:
MTB -- Deore, LX, XT and XTR
Road -- 105, Ultegra & Dura Ace
First, I think there's probably a problem. Even the 105 shouldn't be that hard to shift in my opinion. It's not that crappy of stuff. I'm not mechanically inclined enough to locate the problem mentally. I'd have to look at and feel it. If it's shifting and holding OK when she is able, I'd take a look at the cables and housing. But what do I know?
However, I have found that the difference and ease of clean shifting/use between the levels on mtb bikes is very apparent. Is it worth the extra $$$? More opinion. Mine: if you ride a lot, any noticeable improvement in componentry adds to the pleasure of riding. Shifters on an LX is one full consistent push or pull. It's like "you're" moving it. As you move up, like to an XTR, you move to more decisive movements or "clicks" one gear before the next -- smooth and "Clean" as you said. Also easier. The shifters do the work. Just like our DA stuff. I have LX on one bike, XTR on another. After over 2 years, the LX shifters on that bike are one of the last remaining original components, the other being the stem. I don't think your DA shifters will work. They won't have the range. The current DA stuff is different: 7703 for triple, and 7700 for two.
Probably no help at all, but I'm not interested in work yet. So thanks for the diversion. Tell the wife she can have her own DA stuff, after she "earns" it. 
Good luck.
Nev
Edited by Nev (07/15/04 04:34 PM)
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Mike
contributor
Reged: 12/25/03
Posts: 101
Loc: Oregon
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Schwing,
The 105 stuff is supposed to work "almost" as good as the good stuff. Shiting a triple(left side only) should be only slightly harder to shift than a double.
If the shifting is hard, something is wrong. The first thing I would do is check the cables. If they are routed poorly, old, or just dirty inside they can prevent any shifter from working smoothly. More often than not when you have cable issues, the housings need to br replaced as well. Many companies use really crummy cables to save money since no one really pays attention to them at purchase time, and they usually work fine for a short period of time. I once owned a Klein with Dura Ace that wouldn't shift worth a crap after a few months. The Shimano rep was at the LBS when I was there one day so I complained to him. He wouldn't even entertain a discussion with me until I replaced the cables and housings with shimano stuff. While his smugness pissed me off at the time, I never got the chance to have that discussion as the problem was indeed resolved with new housings.
Umfortunately, the dura Ace double shifter does not work as a triple the way the 105 and Ultegra ones do so if you find that you really do have a messed up shifter, you'll have to replace.
Hope that helps,
Mike
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vaxn8r
contributor
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 222
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Agree with Mike, the shifting performance should be as good as Ultegra since its the same but with a poorer finsh. My Ultegra shifts pretty much just as cleanly as my DA. So....something is seriously wrong with your wife's shifter.
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Schwingding
new member
Reged: 06/09/04
Posts: 22
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Thank you guys. Finally someone knew the answer - they're not compatible. You have no idea how many people I've asked this question.
I'll swap cables and housings this coming weekend. I rode her bike yesterday and its a snap for me. I think its partly a learning experience but if I can make it even easier, no harm in that.
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Kevan
journeyman
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 70
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I was gonna say you have a compatibility problem with Dura, but so you found out. Ultegra shifters tho would work assuming 8-9 cog shifting is considered.
There are many cnversations about the quality of shifting for triple rings and based on what I've heard, most of it isn't positive. Many folks are taking another alternative selecting crank systems with smaller rings than Shim's and Campy's conventional cranks. Smaller rings and different choices in cogs and longer cages are another solution to the gearing problem, thus avoiding the "granny".
All that said, I once had a bike rigged w/ 105 and 2 rings, it's shifting was nearly as good as Ultegra's just a bit clunkier. It might be too that the brifters on the Shim's are a bit meater which might make the shifting more difficult for smaller hands. Campy might be easier to handle.
I'd see what a good shop has to offer. Testing some bikes there w/ different components might help you narrow the solution.
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