WTB STI ultergra shifters

[logdiva32]

Or trade + $, my brand new 105's off my bike. My small hands have a time getting around to brake and shift.

oh, my avatar is not the bike.

[mimitabby]

what bike IS that (your avatar?)

[SadieKate]

I thought 105s could use the shim from Shimano or Specialized.

[logdiva32]

I don't know if I can use other shims w hoods. Have a tip? I am going to ask the LBS, but don't want to be sold something if there are other means.

[Fredwina]

I have the Specialized Shims on 9 speed 105 shifters. Not sure about 10 speed, though

[Eden]

I believe any shimano shifters can be shimmed - one thing- I don't think that Ultegras are any smaller? There are special short reach levers, but they have a different name as far as I can recall.

[Aint Doody]

I think Eden's right about the Ultegras. And--older (say 2 years) Shimano shifters can't all be shimmed. That's why I bought new shifters and the shims. But you should find out what they are called. Seems to me like it was "short reach shifters". They certainly helped.

[snapdragen]

Yep - there are Shimano Short Reach (http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=Ultegra+STI+Shift+Lever+R600+short+reach&vendorCode=SHIM&major=1&minor=20) I think they are regular sized, but come with shims.

[Grog]

Are the ULtegra any smaller than the 105????

[Eden]

Are the ULtegra any smaller than the 105????

Just measured my bike with the 105's against the one with Ultegras- they are both 9 speeds so they are not the newest levers. They are pretty much identical in size.

I could swear I saw somewhere how to shim any Shimano levers using a pencil eraser, but I can't seem to find it now. If I see it again I'll post a link.

[logdiva32]

well stopped by LBS since I got off early and had my bike in the van. He made some micro adjustments to the handle bars and the levers bringing them closer. The trade is in the crouch/sprint position, now I have less reach then. But I spend 80 % on the hoods and am not a sprinter anyway. So I will try it. But on the Seldon Brown site he has the STI Ultegra as small hand shifters???

[Eden]

Looks like some of the web sites selling the short reach levers are billing them as "Ultegra Level", but specifically they are part of a group of special components called "High Grade". From the Shimano web site it looks like the short reach levers only come in 9 speed.

You do want to be able to reach your brakes in the drops, if for no other reason than for descending - which should be done in the drops for greater stability.

[Mimosa]

No you can get the short reach in a 10 speed version (double, not triple). The type number is ST-R700 (http://cycle.shimano-eu.com/catalog/cycle/products/component.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441774695&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302049897&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181667&bmUID=1171607112081) levers. The R600 is 9 speed plus triple and the R500 is 8 speed.

[Eden]

hah - they fooled me. I was wondering why they would be doing only 9 speeds....

[logdiva32]

No you can get the short reach in a 10 speed version (double, not triple). The type number is ST-R700 (http://cycle.shimano-eu.com/catalog/cycle/products/component.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441774695&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302049897&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181667&bmUID=1171607112081) levers. The R600 is 9 speed plus triple and the R500 is 8 speed.

what a bike!!

[logdiva32]

well, I have a triple, so I am still unsure about what to do. I can't afford those that they are selling as ultegras for $234.

[Eden]

You can always make your own shims or even alter the specialized ones to fit I wish I could find the website where I found it, but darn it can't find it anywhere. I saw someone who showed how to make your own shims. They cut the eraser off of two pencils (new and flat ones of course - the big fat pencils for kids or that you sometimes get at lumber stores might work excellently) and glued them on the flat surface that you can see when you squeeze the brake. This moves the brake closer to the handlbars and should make it a little easier to reach. Basically its like closing your brakes a bit, so you will have to adjust them to be sure that they don't rub.

You could also try a different pair of handlebars - some of the ones that are labled ergonomic (like Ritchey BioMax or Salsa Short and Shallow) are supposed to have bends that make it easier to reach your brakes in the drops. Play around with the positioning of your levers on the bars until you feel comfortable - you may need to take the tape off to move them enough. My experience is that shops like to set up the levers up too high on the bars.

[Mimosa]

what a bike!!
You mean the one in my sig? If so, I'll post some pictures of it soon since I went to the bikeshop this morning and my baby was there to take home :D Me so happy

[logdiva32]

You mean the one in my sig? If so, I'll post some pictures of it soon since I went to the bikeshop this morning and my baby was there to take home :D Me so happy

stevens, that is one pretty ride. Is that a euro brand?What components did you put on it?

[Mimosa]

stevens, that is one pretty ride. Is that a euro brand?What components did you put on it?
It's a german brand (http://www.stevensbikes.de/2007/index.php?lang=en_US) (they only sell in countries surrounding germany and 2 shops in canada). I put ultegra on it, pro plt for the other stuff and mavic wheels.
Since I went to the shop first and then to the office, I took it with me in the office (I had been driving them nust in my enthousiasm about the bike). The guys were drewling all over it ....:D :p I hope to get my pixies by tonight (my camera broke down so I used one of a friend) and then I'll post them.

[logdiva32]

I was in Germany for 4 years and might go back. If they give me another shot at it I will look for that brand. Quality is more readily avail and not ridiculosly priced in Germany. In america people think the more it costs the better it is, so that is how our marketing people price here. But, some Germans do not want to sell to americans, its weird.. I can imagine how smooth the bike is. I love my new Novara express and it just has 105 everything, so I know the Ultegra, is smooth. Well, enjoy it sounds like a dream.

[logdiva32]

You can always make your own shims or even alter
You could also try a different pair of handlebars - some of the ones that are labled ergonomic (like Ritchey BioMax or Salsa Short and Shallow) are supposed to have bends that make it easier to reach your brakes in the drops. Play around with the positioning of your levers on the bars until you feel comfortable - you may need to take the tape off to move them enough. My experience is that shops like to set up the levers up too high on the bars.

Yea, first I was going to get some short and shallow. like I have on my Trek, but I measured the ritchie that came on it at 40, which is what i was going to order. So, I saw the shims in the LBS on their bikes, but they don't sell them separate.

[SadieKate]

Logdiva, do you have 10-speed levers? I couldn't figure out what you actually have other than 105 levers. These are the Shimano shims and will work with 105 9-speed.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=25305

[logdiva32]

ten speed. Still can't decide. Hoping someone is upgrading and wants to sell some ultegra's, fat chance I know.

[Grog]

ten speed. Still can't decide. Hoping someone is upgrading and wants to sell some ultegra's, fat chance I know.

A friend of mine crashed and had to replace his ultegra shifters. He was really taken aback by the price. He realized a friend had recently crashed and needed a new bike. Luckily, the shifters were fine!! He got them for a very nice dinner with wine.

[wavedancer]

Pencil erasers, tiny block of wood, picture-frame "bumpers", small block of duct tape...all can work as shims. I have them on my 105 9-speed and they work great. See this previous thread/picture:

Shims (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=3346&highlight=shims)

[logdiva32]

I will try making some shims this weekend if I have time. I will try a pencil eraser, spray paint it black and glue it in. Does that sound right?

[SouthernBelle]

The url in the old thread for the specialized shims is no longer good, so I googled for the shims. Found them on ebay. Seller's name is bike-rack. Bought them for $11.00 including shipping!!

Will let you know how they work out for me.

[logdiva32]

The url in the old thread for the specialized shims is no longer good, so I googled for the shims. Found them on ebay. Seller's name is bike-rack. Bought them for $11.00 including shipping!!

Will let you know how they work out for me.

oh man... well let me know if it works..

[SouthernBelle]

oh man... well let me know if it works..

He has some more. Plus I have even gotten a tracking number from him.

[SouthernBelle]

My shims are here! My shims are here! (channeling Steve Martin).

I dry-fitted them and I think they will work. Won't install until my new tape gets here. I'm putting on new bars, hopefully this weekend.