STI Levers...?

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The current groupset on my bike is shimano 600 ultegra but with the old levers.

Is it worth upgrading to STI. Ive been told it can be done for $200-$300 aus.

it does the job at the moment but I will be starting to race soon. The frame is cro-moly with mavic double walled rims.

?

If you have a 7 speed rear wheel (126mm rear dropout spacing on your frame), you can upgrade to the Shimano Sora 7 speed STI levers.

For an 8 speed cassette (130mm rear dropout spacing), you can use the Sora 8 speed STI levers.

For a 9 speed cassette, you can choose from the 105, Ultegra, or Dura-Ace levers.

See Brake/shifter Units (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/derailers.html#brifters) for good pictures and descriptions.

Note, if you have a 7 speed rear wheel cassette, it's also possible to use 8 of the sprockets from a 9-speed cassette, with the 9-speed spacers on a 7-speed Shimano Hyperglide Freehub - see 8 Of 9 On 7 (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/k7.html#up7)

So to upgrade i need:

- Sora sti levers
- 8 speed cassette
- new Rear free body

Can I get away with keeping my existing front and rear derailers?

If anyone hase attempted this or has any advice (positive or negative) I sure hell would like to hear it cos this is driving me nuts. Most people recommend simply buying a new bike, but being a uni student, i'd like to postpone this for a while!!!

Cheers.

:)

Originally posted by abv8
So to upgrade i need:

- Sora sti levers
- 8 speed cassette
- new Rear free body

Can I get away with keeping my existing front and rear derailers?

If anyone hase attempted this or has any advice (positive or negative) I sure hell would like to hear it cos this is driving me nuts. Most people recommend simply buying a new bike, but being a uni student, i'd like to postpone this for a while!!!

Cheers.

:)
I'm assuming you currently have a 7 speed rear wheel (if you have an 8-speed rear wheel, all you need is the Sora 8-speed STI levers).

You can save money and just get the Sora 7-speed STI levers.

However, if you want to spend more and Upgrade From 6-/7-speed (126 mm) to 8-/9-speed (130 mm) (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/k7.html#up7) you might as well upgrade to 9 speeds, in which case you'll need:
- 9 speed STI levers
- 9 speed cassette
- 9 speed Shimano freehub body - if you can't find this for a good price, you can get a new 9 speed rear wheel
- 9 speed chain
This option is quite expensive - I would recommend just getting the 7 speed Sora STI levers.

Yes, your existing Ultegra derailler will work - see this link http://www.sheldonbrown.com/dura-ace.html Any Shimano SIS rear derailler should work EXCEPT for pre-1997 Dura-Ace.