I currently have Dura Ace TT shifters, but I’m considering switching over to SRAM. In the pictures the SRAM levers look smaller (though I’ve never seen them in person), and I don’t have the biggest fingers, so if that is the case I assume that would suit me better. The Dura Ace always feel oversized to me…
Size wise, they aren’t much different. The SRAM levers are a little shorter but wider.
However, they’re much more precise in terms of where they click between gears, and I think the shifting is smoother. The only way I’m going back to Shimano is if it’s for Di2.
Is a marginal improvement in anything relating to the levers themselves worth the cost of converting your drive train to SRAM?
Take a look at the Vision Metron shifters… they’re incredibly good…
I’ve recently replaced my DA shifters with them and couldn’t be happier.
…did a mini-review on my blog if you’re interested:
http://anotherdooratthe.endoftheinternet.org/2012/04/28/vision-metron-shifters-5-minute-review/
I have both shifters on two different bikes. IMO, very little difference. Almost identical size wise. Like them both equally.
X2 on the Metron shifters. Huge improvement over Shimano bar end shifters and really nice ergo position.
To the OP, want to make sure it is understood that you can’t simply swap out the sifters. You would also need to swap out rear derailleur to SRAM at minimum. Front derailleur will work with either.
To the Metron advocates, curious if you guys have also tried R2C, either the SRAM or Zipp-badged variants?
I have nothing against the Metrons, other than they are kind of fugly, but am curious if they represent much of jump over current R2C mechanical shifters.
I’ve tried the R2C’s… yes, they’re good but not on par with the Metrons. The point which the Metrons have going for that the Sram/Zipp R2C’s don’t is your arm staying completely in aero position whilst shifting, also I’d suggest that even after one ride, the movement required for the Metrons is so natural that you honestly don’t think about shifting - it becomes instantly instinctive to do. For these reasons… as well as the very fast and positive shifting, I’d say they have it over all the other offerings.
I’ve not personally found an equal to the Metrons – which is why I’m running them now.
Do you have to switch them out if they aren’t R2C? I thought you wouldn’t have swap stuff out if the shifter isn’t indexed.
Do you have to switch them out if they aren’t R2C? I thought you wouldn’t have swap stuff out if the shifter isn’t indexed.
I definitely am not 100% on this, I’m a modest wrencher at best, however I still think you’d still have issues with the rear derailleur. I’m also pretty sure most modern bar end shifters are indexed, even non-R2C ones. Just feel your bar end shifter, it still has discrete ‘clicks’ as it moves forward to different index points, it doesn’t just pull smoothly (or at least mine never did).
Again, take this for what its worth coming from me because I’m no expert, but how I understood it the problem with SRAM and Shimano compatibility is that the pull ratios are different between them, the relationship between the amount of cable ‘pulled’ in the shifter and the distance the rear derailleur travels in response to shift. Apparently, this ratio is close between SRAM and Shimano, but not the same. In my experience the result was that it almost works, but has issues like jumping gears, or you may adjust and adjust until you finally do get it to work, but it will likely be a constant headache down the line.
So bottom line in my experience, if you want to to go SRAM shifters for any reason, it’s worth your time (or often necessary) to just pick up an r-der. Force derailleurs shift fantastically, aren’t that expensive new, and are probably a bargain used.
Do you have to switch them out if they aren’t R2C?
The SRAM TT500 and TT900 are still indexed for the rear shifter. Ergo, you need the rear derailleur to match.