Upgrading shifters and chainset/rings

[david1701]

Hi guys,

A friend has a really nice racer that he can't ride because can't cope with because it has down tube shifters (and learning in one gear isn't really an option round here as its hilly as hell ) how much agro is it to replace this with sti's ? I know the rear mech is sora, unsure about the front one.

It also has a fairly traditional chainset, like a 52 46 or something crazy, I'd like to either go compact or tripple for him as there are a lot of 1 in 5's round here

 

[PpPete]

If the existing downtube shifters are bolted on to brazed on mounts on the frame it is a relatively easy job. Just put these on those mounts, suitable sti's to match the mech, and away you go.

There are cable end stops for frames designed for band-on mechs - but they are either monstrously ugly, or don't allow for adjustment.

Changing a trad 52/42 chainset to a 50/34 compact might mean mounting the mech slightly lower down....or changing it altogether.

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Edit:
<<<<< that pic is me riding up the Honister pass on a 531 frame that started life with downtube shifters. When that was taken it had 9 speed Sora STIs, Ultegra rear mech, 105 front mech, and very non-standard 50/38/26 triple chainset.....

 

[bobones]

What speed is it? Current Sora is 9 speed and Ribble are selling the brifters for £90 incl cables. 8 speed 2300 brifters are a little less. Sora compact chainset and an HTII BB will cost around £65 although you can get cheaper shimano compacts for square taper BB. You'll need to strip the bars, redo the cabling and rewrap. Might be an idea to get the LBS to do with work unless you have all the tools, e.g. cable cutters and appropriate BB tools for removing old and refitting new crank. If the current chainset is square taper and you get a square taper compact then you would only need a crank extractor since you don't need to remove the existing BB. If you're fitting an HTII BB then the frame may need faced/chased. Don't know how much LBS would charge for all this but I would expect it to be at least £50.

 

[david1701]

cable tool I don't have but I do have all the tools for replacing a crank (as I've done it before) and the bb is in good condition- the bike gets no use as its 'hard to ride' :s

all of that sounds shockingly doable, I'll get him to get me some details on the bike

 

[PpPete]

If there is one tool that every cyclist should own (however little work they want to do on their own bike) it's a decent cable cutter. Doesn't have to cost a fortune - and will pay for itself many times over by not mashing up cables.

 

[david1701]

aye, done cables once with tin snips, never doing them again without a cable cutter