Another noob question, but I dont think its one thats been done to death

ED E

Hey lads, just one quick question.

I'm looking at an entry level bike[not gonna name it, too much scoffing] for trying some introductory spins. Saw a lad with one and I'm happy with the overall build, just one thing thats bugging me. The gear controls are on the crossbar, close to the stem, while the brake levers are in the usual place. AFAIK most road bikes have the gears under the brakes correct?

This wont be for commuting so I expect to do less shifting, but having to change position to shift might be a pain.

Any opinions? I'm very tempted to hit the buy button.

Cheers,
Lethal.

PS: Any orwell intro cycles coming up?

Pwezem

Wh-...
I'm just here for the Pizza

I'm not the most knowledgeable myself but, well, it sounds like it'll work but yeah, it wouldn't be the same. The integrated gear & brake levers are STI Levers. Given that there are good deals on adverts.ie and on the sub forum from time to time, might be worth keeping an eye here? Just that from the sounds of it it might be a cheap bike (as in, components wouldn't be fantastic and prone to wear).

I think Orwell spins are every Sunday, there's another thread on that around somewhere..

penexpers

I think I remember seeing a picture of a bike with shifters like this. It would help if you told us what bike it is.

ED E

Dónal wrote: »

I'm not the most knowledgeable myself but, well, it sounds like it'll work but yeah, it wouldn't be the same. The integrated gear & brake levers are STI Levers. Given that there are good deals on adverts.ie and on the sub forum from time to time, might be worth keeping an eye here? Just that from the sounds of it it might be a cheap bike (as in, components wouldn't be fantastic and prone to wear).

I think Orwell spins are every Sunday, there's another thread on that around somewhere..

Hmm, next sunday(1st) would be good, but after the 31st....ughhh.

I've done enough to keep the junker going for the commute that I'd likely be able to keep it going for a while, at least until next summer when I should be able to get some sort of cashflow(no working in 6th year:(). If it really bugs me it wouldnt be huge to get STI's and fit them instead, is there any compatibility issues with STIs and mechs?

Bunnyhopper

A set of STIs can be quite pricey - probably upwards of €100 for a basic set. Might be worth checking just how much it would cost to switch over if the cashflow's an issue.

petethedrummer

EDIT: LATE NIGHT MISINTERPRETATION FAIL.

flickerx

.

Lumen

Can you not just tell us what the bike is?

penexpers

Lumen wrote: »

Can you not just tell us what the bike is?

I think I figured it out. It's a Claud Butler of some description - they have one with shifters like that in my LBS.

blorg

Almost any road bike sold these days with down-tube shifters is very bottom of the range and probably not great in terms of the other componentry either. It's actually "below" bottom of the range in the sense that that no major manufacturer does it, their bottom of the range starts with 2200/2300 or Sora STIs.

Yes it will make gear shifting a lot harder. The bike may or may not hang together otherwise.

penexpers

blorg wrote: »

Almost any road bike sold these days with down-tube shifters is very bottom of the range and probably not great in terms of the other componentry either. It's actually "below" bottom of the range in the sense that that no major manufacturer does it, their bottom of the range starts with 2200/2300 or Sora STIs.

Yes it will make gear shifting a lot harder. The bike may or may not hang together otherwise.

I don't think he's talking about downtube shifters.

blorg

penexpers wrote: »

I don't think he's talking about downtube shifters.

What do you think he is talking about then? He says the gear controls are on the "crossbar" - I can only presume he means they are on the down tube (can't imagine gear controls on the top tube?)

penexpers

blorg wrote: »

What do you think he is talking about then? He says the gear controls are on the "crossbar" - I can only presume he means they are on the down tube (can't imagine gear controls on the top tube?)

There's a Claud Butler bike in my LBS that has flat bar shifters mounted either side of the stem (eg where interrupter levers on cross bikes would usually be).

ED E

blorg wrote: »

What do you think he is talking about then? He says the gear controls are on the "crossbar" - I can only presume he means they are on the down tube (can't imagine gear controls on the top tube?)

Go left and right 3cm from where the stem clamps the handlebars, thats where they are. I don't have a full grasp of all the jargon yet.

blorg

I'd be somewhat skeptical of buying a bike set up like that, I can only imagine they do it to save money on STI shifters. You would probably be better off trying to get something second hand if you can't stretch your budget.

coolbeans

It's not a Kona Honky Tonk by any chance?

penexpers

blorg wrote: »

I'd be somewhat skeptical of buying a bike set up like that, I can only imagine they do it to save money on STI shifters. You would probably be better off trying to get something second hand if you can't stretch your budget.

For reference, this is the bike I think he is talking about

http://www.falconcycles.co.uk/Corporate/CB/Criterium.shtml#

ednwireland

eeeugh havent seen that for 30 years hope that bike is really cheap