STIs/Ergos - progress or clever marketing?

TheGreenRabbit":1ps45l4l said:

John":1ps45l4l said:

One aesthetic problem is that STI / ergo units tend to sit higher on the bars than regular aero levers.

Click to expand...

Never understood this, any idea why ?

Click to expand...

Not sure either but assume it's related to the actual mechanics of the shifter bwing physically larger along with current trends..

I would never ride a bike with down tube levers again. As JV I don't have trouble braking or shifting on hoods or drops....

Have you tried the SRAM Red ergo levers Ed?

TheGreenRabbit":rj2lb946 said:

John":rj2lb946 said:

One aesthetic problem is that STI / ergo units tend to sit higher on the bars than regular aero levers.

Click to expand...

Never understood this, any idea why ?

Click to expand...

I think it's also the fashion for very low front ends to give an aero position - but that's too uncomfortable for most of the time (especially if hanging in the bunch) to the high hoods allow a normal setup for the rest.

And there's a lot of shameless following of pro-peloton looks, even though most people aren't able to use the things.

Personally I just don't have the flexibility in my back to get that low any more.

MadCowKev":322su4bi said:

I would never ride a bike with down tube levers again. As JV I don't have trouble braking or shifting on hoods or drops....

Have you tried the SRAM Red ergo levers Ed?

Click to expand...

Ed is all about SRAM red, esp the new carbon aero TT gruppo. Which does feature d/t style levers.

Basically I like STI on my 'modern' bikes but I do have a problem with braking on the drops, especially with 'ergo' bars which I consider to be the spawn of the devil! Because of the 'flat' bits on the drop section I can't get my hands forward enough to reach for the brake levers - and I've got big hands. Never had this problem with Cinelli 64's and Universal levers!

I also find that they are very sensitive to the indexing and often have to 'double shift' when returning back down the block. Perhaps it's in my setting up but I do follow all the correct procedures and 'tweeks' when doing it.

Had a few rides on my Eddy Merckx now ( see this forum for pics ).
Bike felt great staight away which was really comforting.
First time in a long while on downtube shifters.
Slightly strange. Sure I will get used to it.
Will be fine for the riding I will be doing with the bike, but would not be too comfortable riding in a pack/ formation as taking a hand off the bars has got to be unsafe. Nice bike though.
Campag ergo anyday - although I can't afford that so use Ultegra STi, which is on my other bikes.