Is it true that Shimano is much less durable then Camp or SRAM? - Page 4

kdelong · #46 12-29.-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solanog

I'm really lazy about the shifters, well not really the shifters but the bar tape. Any tips for this? Sometimes I ride with torn tape just because I'm lazy to replace it eventhough I already have a couple of spare rolls

.

I agree with you about tape. It is probably the only thing that I don't like to do. Maybe if I did it better......? Anyway, there are the foam handlebar grips that you find on some department store bikes that you can use until you feel up to the torture of taping. They even add a little incentive to get to it when you are riding around on a nice high end bike but it looks like a Wal-mart special. I believe Nashbar sells them, but I don't know if they sell internationally. One other suggestion is go old school and get down tube shifters

.

alfeng · #47 12-30.-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasgul

My first bike ever was the Performance Focus, fully loaded with Shimano Ultegra 8sp STI. The STI lever broke, twice and finally when I called SHIMANO to find out about a replacement part? They told me it's no longe made.......

Rep told me to head to eBay to get a replacement one but.....I said: The heck with this I'm getting all Dura Ace and a new bike, the rest is history.

Anyhow, I bout a 2004 bike in 2007, all with DA 9sp and now the (left) STI shifter has a piece that's broken but nonetheless, the shifter works fine, I just don't like that little (looks like a washer on the outside of the mechanism) piece moving around everything I shift (using the entire lever to go up).

I've only had Shimano drive train and all I can say is that the rest of the parts have worked and last for a long time, except the STI lever, which I'm not to happy with 'em. But I'll upgrade to DA 10sp soon.

I've been using Shimano components since the mid-70s (Crane), and Campy shortly afterward ... I love Shimano components & their customer service ...

But, I use Campagnolo shifters (not because I personally have had any Shimano shifters fail) with my Shimano derailleurs because the Campy shifters work better for the type of riding I do (mountain roads).

The question you have to ask yourself is:

WHY ARE YOU PLANNING TO REPEAT YOUR PAST EXPERIENCE WITH A NEW SET OF DA SHIFTERS IF YOU'RE NOT HAPPY WITH THE STI SHIFTERS?

IS IT A DEVIL-YOU-KNOW SITUATION?

BTW. I've been able to rebuild several Campy shifters ... on the other hand, I know people who have Shimano STI "paperweights."

dhk2 · #48 12-30.-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasgul

My first bike ever was the Performance Focus, fully loaded with Shimano Ultegra 8sp STI. The STI lever broke, twice and finally when I called SHIMANO to find out about a replacement part? They told me it's no longe made.......

Rep told me to head to eBay to get a replacement one but.....I said: The heck with this I'm getting all Dura Ace and a new bike, the rest is history.

Anyhow, I bout a 2004 bike in 2007, all with DA 9sp and now the (left) STI shifter has a piece that's broken but nonetheless, the shifter works fine, I just don't like that little (looks like a washer on the outside of the mechanism) piece moving around everything I shift (using the entire lever to go up).

I've only had Shimano drive train and all I can say is that the rest of the parts have worked and last for a long time, except the STI lever, which I'm not to happy with 'em. But I'll upgrade to DA 10sp soon.

My experience with DA 9 sp STI has been fine for five years and 20K miles. Believe a lot of what you hear attributed as component failures are due to other causes.

When you buy a three year old used bike, no telling how the STI shifters (or anything else) were used or abused. Some people are oblivious to tuning and cable problems, or are just hard on shifters. I once rode with a guy that constantly shifted on the flats (several times a minute) whether he needed to or not.

Solanog · #49 01-01.-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhk2

When you buy a three year old used bike, no telling how the STI shifters (or anything else) were used or abused. Some people are oblivious to tuning and cable problems, or are just hard on shifters. I once rode with a guy that constantly shifted on the flats (several times a minute) whether he needed to or not.

I Litespeed was offered to me with Camp Record, old models, but they were destroyed! Eventhough they could be rebuild why would you pay for something that does not work. I tried to negotiate the frame only but they wanted to sell the complete bike.

youhaditcoming · #50 01-04.-2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by 531Aussie
I've bashed the crap out of 4 sets of 9sp Dura-Ace stuff for the last five years (I usually do about 17,000 to 19,000kms a year), and it's all still going well, despite a few mashes, which seemed to impact heavily on the levers (the caps got smashed up each time). I'm kinda hoping some of my 9sp stuff will clap out so I can buy some new 10sp levers

Originally Posted by petervecchios
You are who shimano is counting on....

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhk2

My DA 9 speed triple stuff is holding up fine at 20K miles now. Only maintenance required has been the replacement of the shift cables after the front cable broke this spring. Sure when a shifter wears out I'll have to buy new rather than repair, but based on the trouble-free service I've gotten over 5 years, feel I've already gotten my money's worth. Agree maintenance-free designs aren't my favorite, but if they last "forever"

it's really a moot point.

my first STI's didn't exactly last forever...

kdelong · #51 01-04.-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by youhaditcoming

my first STI's didn't exactly last forever...

Sorry. Mine are still fine after five years and many miles.

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