"Matt O'Toole" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Sheldon Brown" <
[email protected]> wrote in
message
>
news:[email protected]...
>
> I wrote:
>
> >> This is what I was asking in that other thread. I
thought Sheldon mentioned
> >> that all RSX left shifters were double *and* triple
compatible. I still
> don't
> >> have a definitive answer, but...
>
> > I wasn't quite correct in that. I've looked it up in my
old dealer
> > manuals, and here's the ****:
>
> Thanks! And thanks to Roger G, for looking this up as
well.
>
> > All _7-speed_ RSX STIs were "double/triple" This is the
model SL-A410
> > 7-speed RSX groups used a 46 tooth large chainring.
>
> That's actually double-good -- I can get the gearing I
need either way -- with a
> triple, or the 110 double. I would have settled for the
dual mode shifter!
>
> After playing with your neato gear calculator, I
discovered a 34-48 double and a
> 12-28 7sp cassette gives almost the same range as most
triples, plus, it works
> out to an almost-perfect half-step system. I like this...
>
> > 7-speed RSX was made from the 1995 through the 1998
model years.
>
> So they're all probably 130mm dropout spacing -- nice
strong wheels with a 7sp
> hub...
>
> > For the 1999 model year, RSX was completely revamped,
became 8-speed and
> > used full sized (52 tooth) chainrings.
>
> > The 8-speed version was listed with both a double
(SL-A416) and a triple
> > (SL-A417) STI unit.
>
> So *those* lefts are probably *not* double/triple
compatible...
>
> > 8-speed RSX was only made for the 1999 model year, and
didn't sell well,
> > so the parts are much less common than the 7-speed
version. I don't
> > recall ever seeing a bike with an RSX 2 x 8 system.
>
> > RSX was replaced by SORA in 2000.
>
> > Sheldon "Likes Sora Better" Brown
>
> Yeah, but used RSX bikes are cheap! And the 7sp versions
are apparently very
> versatile... I think I'll buy one.
>
> You know, I want to like Sora -- I bet it actually "works"
better than, say, 8
> year old Dura-Ace. The newer STIs, even the cheap ones,
all have the same
> crisp, light action. And the brifters are much more
elegant than they used to
> be. Some of the older STI units were pretty clunky.
>
> Sora's one lever, one button design is very sleek and
elegant. However, I hate
> how you can't reach the release button from the drops,
unless you have thumbs
> like Uma Thurman in that Tom Robbins movie. This really
sticks in my craw.
> First, because it would have been so easy to just make it
right. Second, the
> cynic in me says it's a carefully contrived ploy to sell
people *another* bike,
> after they've been riding awhile, and using the drops
more. Other than that,
> Sora is really good stuff. It seems to have brought the
price of a "real road
> bike" down a notch or so -- Sora-ly needed, IMO.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Matt O.
>
Small point on the eight speed RSX double shifters - I suspect they have a trim function (an
in-between click) like the eight speed Shimano 105 double. (There appears to be no real difference
between RSX, RX-100, and eight speed Shimano 105 except the finish). The Shimano 105 triple doesn't
have a trim, just the three required clicks.