Help me! Road Bike Part Grades for Dummies

[mkidd]

I've been following this great thread--this is Bike Parts U!

But I've never seen/used anything but Shimano (or this weird dial thing for the gears on my mtn bike). I'll be really cool to check out people's bikes this season and to actiually know there are other systems out there to look for!

[elk]

Mimi
that sounds exactly (?) like my Shimano....only I wouldn't call the mini lever a thumb button...it's a mini lever that operates the same as the maxi...

so I guess I'm a little confused about the smaller button...I need a photo....

[rij73]

Yes, it took me a minute to think it through, but I believe Mimi's description of the Campy lever function equals the function of the brake lever on Shimano. Then, where Campy uses the thumb button, Shimano uses the second, inside lever. I can see now where a Campy user would get really confused on Shimano, since their inside lever does what our large lever does. I think I finally understand it all now! Phew!

[mimitabby]

Yes, it took me a minute to think it through, but I believe Mimi's description of the Campy lever function equals the function of the brake lever on Shimano. Then, where Campy uses the thumb button, Shimano uses the second, inside lever. I can see now where a Campy user would get really confused on Shimano, since their inside lever does what our large lever does. I think I finally understand it all now! Phew!

I'm glad YOU do! (because according to Elk, they are the same, and I know they aren't )

[elk]

No...I know they're not the same, I just can't quite SEE the difference...I need to go find a picture...

[Idealmuse]

Hi girls - The Javalin bike came. I need to get it assembled and I need some pedals. I want SPD with a platform... Will Crank Brothers Mallet C work? I found a deal that comes with the pedals and some shoes for $80.00. I already have SPD road shoes but they have no traction on the bottom - not so safe for riding around Chicago.

[rij73]

Hi girls - The Javalin bike came. I need to get it assembled and I need some pedals. I want SPD with a platform... Will Crank Brothers Mallet C work? I found a deal that comes with the pedals and some shoes for $80.00. I already have SPD road shoes but they have no traction on the bottom - not so safe for riding around Chicago.

Wow, the bike came fast! Keep us posted on how it looks and rides... Shoes and pedals for $80 is cheap if the pedals are good and the shoes fit!

[rij73]

Yes, here is how I would try to put it succinctly:

paddle-inside-the-brake-lever on Campy = Shimano full-brake-lever

Campy thumb-button = paddle-inside-the-brake-lever on Shimano

Campy
note the thumb button on the inside of each hood

Shimano

[elk]

Yes, here is how I would try to put it succinctly:

paddle-inside-the-brake-lever on Campy = Shimano full-brake-lever

Campy thumb-button = paddle-inside-the-brake-lever on Shimano

Campy
note the thumb button on the inside of each hood

Shimano

Got it! That looks GOOOOD! And now Mimi's description makes perfect sense.

[Idealmuse]

Thanks for posting the pictures. I think I like the Thumb button concept better - less confusion that way, but we will see how I feel when the bike gets here.

They were supposed to ship it today and it's fairly local so it should be only a few days. I went with the Fara (This black and white one at the beginning of the thread) which is campy veloce.

On my MTB I have the old fashioned #'ed gear. (Don't know what those are called) so either road bike shifting is going to take some practice for me.

Any shifting tips?

[mimitabby]

you might go to Sheldon Brown's website for shifting tips.

But.... start off with easy gears. you're getting a triple.
on the lowest gear in the front (the little one) use only the big gears in the back.
on the middle gear in the front, you can use ALL gears in the back. On the big gear in the front, don't try to use the lower 3 gears (bigger 3 gears) on the back.

If this is all confusing, when you get the bike, turn it upside down and put it through its gears while you are watching (or put it on a work stand)

and expect to throw your chain a few times while you're getting used to it.

[mkidd]

Since you mention throwing the chain...would I be revealing exactly how much of a newbie I am if ask why this happens?

The bike portion of my first Tri, Danskin Webster (New England) is v. v. hilly. They say about 80% get off and walk.

I actually was thrilled to have made it through the hardest parts by using my granny gear when I needed it, but about mile 9 I lost my chain (on a decline actually) and this never haapened during training so not only did I have no idea how to get it back on, but I'm not really sure why it happened.

Luckily it was right at an intersection so there were race helpers there who helped me, but how do I avoid it for future?