Wanted : Shifters

[velo]

I'm looking to upgrade my shifters on my new cross bike that is on its way. I know NOTHING about Shimano, as I've always ridden Campy on my road bikes. I've been told by a friend that I will want to upgrade the Tiagra shifters, preferable to Ultegra. CX50 front derailleur and 105 in the back. Rear cassette is a 10-speed (11-30 according to specs) and front crankset is double 34/46. If anyone has shifters that they are wanting to sell and would work with this setup, please let me know. Thanks!!

[pinsonp2]

I guess it's a personal preference, but I have 2 road bikes with Tiagra shifters and have never had an issue with them for the 3 years I have been riding them. Upgrading the shifters/brifters is an expensive project, especially if you don't need to right away. I would ride the bike as is and keep on the lookout for the upgraded parts until I find a really good deal, or the original ones fail. Just my 2 cents. Good luck with the new bike.

P2

[velo]

Thank you P2. This is a cross bike that I'm looking to upgrade and my friend is very experienced with muddy conditions (this new bike will get extremely muddy, I hope :D). He thinks Ultegra shifters would be better for those conditions. I am a very experienced road rider, so I completely understand the expenses associated with riding bicycles, I just ride Campagnolo instead of Shimano, so I don't have any compatible spare parts hanging around. I AM looking for a good deal, which is why I'm asking here. It's a long shot that anyone would have only shifters to sell, but figured it's worth asking. I respect my friend's advice and have the means to heed it, so if anyone has shifters that they want to part with, please let me know. Thanks!

[zoom-zoom]

If it were me I'd go with 105. Anything on a CX bike is gonna get sorta trashed faster. I have SRAM Rival on my road bike (which I may upgrade to Force in the future), but Apex on my CX bike. I have noticed no difference in shifting. I have always heard that lower end Shimano can be sketchy, but I think you'll be fine with 105.

[velo]

Kirsten, would Rival shifters be compatible with the specs I detailed above? I'm also not familiar with SRAM. The prices I'm seeing on ebay, the 105's are not that much less than what Ultegra is going for. I'll have another discussion with my friend. Thanks!

[indysteel]

In my experience, even lower end Campy groupsets can be rebuilt. As far as it being "pointless" to be buy anything less than Chorus, it really depends on what you can/cannot live without. Chorus on up offers "ultrashift" which allows you to make more sweeping upshifts and downshifts with just a single action of the shifter. I had it on a lower end Campy group circa 2006, and it was nice--but if you don't do a ton of climbing and/or don't race, it's not crucial in my opinion. I don't have it on my 2009 Centaur group, and while I sometimes miss the ease of it when I'm getting ready to descend, it's not like I can't ride my bike without it. Even mid-range and lower end Campy components are very nice, and the shifting is smooth and precise. So, for anyone looking at Campy, I'd suggest just going with what your budget allows. It is so easy to get seduced by the higher end stuff because it's gorgeous and performs extremely well. But in my opinion, the average recreational cyclist will be satisfied with the mid-range, and even lower end, components as well. But there are a lot of Campy snobs out there, so I'm now going to duck and run!

[Owlie]

Kirsten, would Rival shifters be compatible with the specs I detailed above? I'm also not familiar with SRAM. The prices I'm seeing on ebay, the 105's are not that much less than what Ultegra is going for. I'll have another discussion with my friend. Thanks!

New Tiagra's not bad, but I'd upgrade anyway. SRAM chains and cassettes are Shimano-compatible, but that's it. I'd upgrade the front derailleur too, but shifters first.

You might consider doing SRAM on a CX bike. From what I've heard, SRAM seems to do better on things ridden off-pavement. (But I still prefer Shimano.)

[velo]

New Tiagra's not bad, but I'd upgrade anyway. SRAM chains and cassettes are Shimano-compatible, but that's it. I'd upgrade the front derailleur too, but shifters first.

You might consider doing SRAM on a CX bike. From what I've heard, SRAM seems to do better on things ridden off-pavement. (But I still prefer Shimano.)

Thank you, Owlie. I am trying to do some reading around the internet to learn more about SRAM and Shimano. I have shimano on my mountain bike and shopping bike, but they are the grip shifters. I've not had a lick of trouble with either one in spite of being lower-end, but I don't ride either one very hard.

What front derailleur would you recommend?

Sheila - thanks for clearing that up about compatibility.

Indy - I'm sorry you've had the experience of "Campy Snobs". I hope I don't come across that way, as I've said many times in the past that it's just different, no better or worse than what other companies are putting out there. I prefer it, but don't consider it superior. Since the whole system is different and allows for long sweeps to change gears, it's something I've come to appreciate, as I use that feature a LOT. I only wish more people would consider it when making bike purchases. I think if you see snobbery, it's because nobody puts Campy on bikes anymore and it's a shame, as it's a good company and they make great gruppos.

I think I'll just try to get something off of ebay quickly and we can just end this thread. Thanks to everyone for advice.

[Owlie]

Thank you, Owlie. I am trying to do some reading around the internet to learn more about SRAM and Shimano. I have shimano on my mountain bike and shopping bike, but they are the grip shifters. I've not had a lick of trouble with either one in spite of being lower-end, but I don't ride either one very hard.

What front derailleur would you recommend?

Sheila - thanks for clearing that up about compatibility.

Indy - I'm sorry you've had the experience of "Campy Snobs". I hope I don't come across that way, as I've said many times in the past that it's just different, no better or worse than what other companies are putting out there. I prefer it, but don't consider it superior. Since the whole system is different and allows for long sweeps to change gears, it's something I've come to appreciate, as I use that feature a LOT. I only wish more people would consider it when making bike purchases. I think if you see snobbery, it's because nobody puts Campy on bikes anymore and it's a shame, as it's a good company and they make great gruppos.

I think I'll just try to get something off of ebay quickly and we can just end this thread. Thanks to everyone for advice.

If you want minimal expense when it comes to replacement, get it a 105 FD and be done with it. :)
Campy is awesome, from my limited experience with it. Trouble is, it's really hard to find and possibly even harder to find replacement parts. Sigh.