Do carbon bikes have a shelf life?

[ZenSojourner]

I ended up buying the 2004 carbon tri bike I was drooling over. The previous owner was the original owner and the bike was very well cared for. I'm loving it so far but it's taking some time to get used to the new gearing: double and bar end shifters.

How are you finding the bar end shifters? I've always wondered what it might be like to use those.

[Eden]

How are you finding the bar end shifters? I've always wondered what it might be like to use those.

Bar end shifters on a TT bike aren't quite like having them on a road bike. On a TT bike they are mounted on the ends of the TT bars so that you aren't having to move from the aero position to shift. On a road bike they are on the ends of the drops.

[HillSlugger]

Bar end shifters on a TT bike aren't quite like having them on a road bike. On a TT bike they are mounted on the ends of the TT bars so that you aren't having to move from the aero position to shift. On a road bike they are on the ends of the drops.

Yes.

On my bike the shifter for the rear derailleur is indexed but the one for the front is friction. Not sure why this is.

I'm at the point where I still have to think about which direction the lever needs to go to make the shift.

The front derailleur is not adjusted quite right and I've dropped the chain off the outside more times than I care to remember.

I've got to become far more comfortable with all this before I use the bike in a race! But it's way fun to ride!