This is possibly the most offensive piece of gear I have encountered on a bike. Do you really need a little orange wand to tell you what gear you’re in? There is only one gear to be in: the hardest one at which you can still make the pedals go around in something resembling a circle.
These goofy little things were found on the bike I rented last weekend for a benefit ride on the east coast in honor of my late Aunt. It was a wonderful ride and great family time… but really, shift indicators? Further proof that all has been in decline since the advent of indexed derailleurs. What added insult to injury in this case was the quality (or lack there of) in the shifting itself. Tiagra is a far cry from my beloved Dura Ace. I would try to shift and the little orange wand would wobble uselessly back and forth — like a Seattle driver trying to merge on the highway — until, finally, an enormous noise would ripple up the bike and a new gear *might* be achieved. I began to brace myself for the effort…. and…. SHHHHHIIIIIFFFFFFTTTTT. Like passing a gallbladder stone. (Or so I imagine.)
In the end, this Cannondale Synapse was just fine. It even had a sharp paint job. Almost sharp enough to make up for the kiddie shifters.
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One of the upsides of higher-end mech is that it generally lasts longer too. Not saying that everyone should get Super Record EPS but get the nicest stuff you can afford and it will repay you by shifting well and lasting longer without needing tweaks. Moreover, if your bike gets a quality service at decent intervals where they (you?) replace cables and jockey wheels etc, it may last you pretty much forever. Nothing wrong with modest kit but if you spend enough hours on the bike, any upgrades that you are able to make are a pretty good investment. Of course, if you mostly just look at your bike, its irrelevant and you will still get dropped on the first hill anyway
As an aside, I just moved from Bro-set Force back to Gruppo Chorus and am very much enjoying the Italian life.
As another aside, grip shifts work well in the medium they came from - mountain biking. If you're riding well, you won't have time or need to look at the indicators.
@graham d.m. YOU are not crap if you have entry level stuff.
I am. (Sram Rival)
Tiagra indicators seem pointless to me but rubbishing tiagra is just bang out of order. Snobby preaching from mount dura ace ist surely not what you guys are all about. Tours have been won and epic feats of cyling and suffering have been performed on lesser equipment GTFU...groupset the fuck up. Love this website and know lots of people who do.
@Brian
Spot on, if you like movies and haven't seen it, rectify it asap. I have it in a Coen Bros box set, all movies are good, but this is the dogs pyjamas.
For all of you duds bagging Shimano for putting on the gear indicators and extolling Campy for never doing such a thing - well you need to get a clue and some knowledge. The Campagnolo ergobrain - best bike computer before Garmins came along - calculates cadence from your speed compared to your gear ratio (a very very smart idea as it does away with the sensor and magnet) and GASP has a dirty big display of your current gearing.
Heck, not everyone can afford Dura Ace guys. Some of us *have* to put up with Planet Tiagra and its kiddy shiifters...
Here's the deal with those indicators - They don't work. I mean they don't do anything. I came to cycling last August after 35 years away. I was amazed at what was available at the LBS. Wow! For budgetary considerations I needed somewhat entry level gear and bought a Felt Z with Tiagra.
Since I didn't know any better, I figured the orange sticks would be helpful. Nah... For one thing, they operate backwards. If I shifted inward, the stick moved outward. Secondly, they bear no relationship to anything except the free space they float in. Perhaps if there were some sort of registration indicators telling me where I was on the cassette, I coul... Oh fuck it, I'll just look down.
I've since upgraded from the compact to Ultegra mechanical 53-39 and 11-17, 19 21 23. It's really hard to use for this old guy, but I don't miss the indicators pointing forward.
@meursault
Any reason why you had this intent desire to keep watching the little orange bar..?? I have Tiagra shifters which I might add change gear very smoothly for me.. I cant say I really notice the orange bar as I tend not to spend my time looking at it when changing gear.. I just shift and carry on cycling... Works for me :-)
@Miguelito
Shouldn't it be Maunto Dura-Ace? It is Japanese, after all. Or would it simply be Dura Ace-san? Anyway, I'll preach from Red Mountain all damned day, though it does look pretty nice over there on Monte Super Record.