I managed to pass the tri-addiction to a friend of mine (heh heh heh) and tired of competing on his mtb he bought a used road bike (dura ace 7spd with downtube shifters), he’d obviously like to have STI but I’m really not sure what his options are (save lucking out and finding something on ebay, was STI even around when 7-speed was available?)
does anybody have any idea if he can do something about it? Obviously he could put bar-end shifters and use them in friction mode, but he’s still a newbie and doesn’t plan to have aerobars on for a while, so it wouldn’t be that much of an improvement…
Euro-Asia Imports in La Crescenta, California may have 7 speed STI shiters in stock. Phone them at (818) 248-1814. They are predominantly a wholesaler but may sell to you at retail if you explain your circumstances.
8 speed shifters will work fine. the spacing is the same in between cogs - he will just have an extra click. i use 8 speed shifters on old 7 speed freewheels frequently on several bikes.
"the cable pull of pre '93 D/A isn’t the same as all the “others”. I’m not sure you can get a 7sp “modern” shifter to activate an “old” D/A derailleur and make it mesh with the cogs (… ask Sheldon). "
Sheldon is “the man” when it comes to retro biking and upgrading. And as Doc Dre points out older Dura Ace is different from “the others”.
A good place to ask is the newsgroup rec.bicycles.tech since Sheldon hangs out there sometimes or you can email him direct and he’ll likely answer, at least he did for my retro questions.
Here’s a good Sheldon article about Dura Ace compatibility.
well standing corrected by my man dre’ is never a problem.
but, i would still obliged to give it a go. a quick check of the ttn-lab reveals one bike with a ultra cheap no name shimano r.derailleur shifting over a 7 speed sachs freewheel activated by some ultegra 8 speed bar-con shifters . . . . . . . . and another with a suntour 7 spd freewheel, XT ( 9 spd ) r. deraiileur being shifted with a 8 spd XTR shifter. as scotty said so well, so many times " it might just work, cap’n ". what i mean to say is - the cogs ( and wheel) i think will work. if dude needs to get a new r. deraileur other than the older DA one just about anything will work - - - - - - - still cheap clicking.