Budget Stem Shift Upgrade Brings Smiles!
Pros
My hobby is rescuing vintage road bikes that mainly need some low tech TLC (new cables, new chain, new tires, big clean & shine). My '95 Klein Quantum II has Ultegra brifters, '97 LeMond Buenos Aires has 105's, but my '83 Klein Performance came with friction stem shifters. I really wanted to enjoy riding the KP more often as it has the best "touring" geometry. To accomplish my goal, I knew I needed to improve hand comfort in the hoods and move to indexed shifting. These Shimano Tourneys hit the mark in a big way. They had the newer style hoods over vintage 7-speed brifters, they were brand new, and they can be purchased at well under $100 for excellent value.
Cons
It is so minor that it's almost not worth mentioning, but these Tourney's are similar to Shimano Sora in that there is a thumb release rather than a dual action shift lever. It only takes a few minutes in the saddle to get your muscle memory back if you are only used to dual-action levers.
Other Thoughts
As I stated, I used the Shimano Tourneys as an easy upgrade from stem shifters, but it would be almost as easy to perform this upgrade from down-tube shifters. You may need to purchase an after market down-tube cable stop, but those are very inexpensive and easy to install.
If you were already thinking about performing a cable housing and cable replacement, the Tourney's come with these in the kit!!
Tourney groupset is the way to go
Pros
Obviously the price is the best part; but they seem durable as well, though I've only had them on for a few weeks so I can't speak about their life-potential; but from the look and feel of them, I don't see why they won't last a good long while.
Wasn't too hard of a set up either, if you don't mind fiddling with stuff, though don't expect any help from the "user manual" that comes with it.
Cons
Sorta big and clunky. They feel a little awkward on my 46mm handlebars; I would recommend putting them on something a bit wider myself. But it's not so bad that I'm going to buy different handlebars and redo all the bar tape and what-not.
Other Thoughts
I ordered about $200 worth of product from Modern Bike for my first real bike build and I've been really happy with pretty much all of it. I had some problems with setting up the brakes, but I called the guys at Modern Bike and they helped me out – excellent customer service. If you're looking to buy from a quality store I highly recommend Modern Bike.
Great 7 speed performer
Pros
Full SIS for 7speed bikes
Great, reliable shifting
Comfortable, modern shape
Cons
Shift cable not hidden
Poor instructions for inserting shift cables (like all Shimano brifters)
Great shifters
Pros
Nothing but great shifting they work like a charm. They came with new cables and hardware needed to put them on. Great upgrade for the stem shift or flat bar to drop conversion.
Cons
Nothing negative
Other Thoughts
Modern Bike always ships quick the use express mail and usually arrived in 3 days. I've purchased from them a few times and will continue.
This product works very well.
Pros
This product works very well. It holds its adjustments and shifts very smoothly. The brakes work well too. Also there is an indicator that shows what gear you are in. The installation was easy and the product has adjustments that allow brake lever to be moved in or out to fit your hand. All four cables were included with the shifters as well.
Cons
My only gripe is that the button to upshift is up by my thumb which is perfect for riding with my hands up on the hoods of the shifter. But while down in the drops I can just barely reach it with my thumb and I can palm a basketball. The whole point of having drop bars is to ride in the drop.
Other Thoughts
I started biking as a hobby a couple of years ago and since I am a master certified auto tech I wanted to learn to work on bikes. I bought a cheap department store road bike and rebuilt it using the tourney line of parts. I have since bought a bike with 105 5800 group set. That being said my tourney built bike works VERY well when compared to the 105 bike.
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