Irreverence: Shift Indicators

Rubbish Tiagra

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.

jim

Jim rides a bike a lot and hates people.

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View Comments

wiscot says:

Jul 29 2013 at 12:22 pm

@Gianni

OK, OK. Everybody settle down FFS. I think we can all agree on a few things here.

1) Shift indicators are fucked. And this needed to be pointed out.

2) Shimano makes great equipment. If it works, it's fine.

3) The fact that Gruppo, Group-san, and Bro-Set have become common terms on the site is a beautiful thing.

4) I may be a Campy boy but I've have various mtb bikes with shimano shifters and they work so damn well under great force, it's good Campy doesn't go there.

Hey Gianni, sounds like some folks could do with a little Desiderata, if you know what I mean.
TBONE says:

Jul 29 2013 at 12:30 pm

I think that the shift indicators should henceforth be referred to as 'Tiagra Tiaras'. Is an update to The Lexicon in order?
Angling Saxon says:

Jul 29 2013 at 6:05 pm

@RedRanger

Nothing wrong with riding Shimano or SRAM. It's a personal choice. Just make it look good....

I think you've hit on part of the problem there..
minion says:

Jul 29 2013 at 8:05 pm

Come on now. Campagnolo make racing groupsets - you can put any of their road grouspets on a bike and race it. Shimano doesn't - Tiagra parts often end up on hybrids and bikes that are meant to be ridden, not raced. I bought a 10 year old centaur set and the performance of that group, after using 105 and sora, was so much better it transformed the bike. You can defend Sora and Tiagra but lets not overstate its abilities.
EricW says:

Jul 30 2013 at 2:37 pm

@minion

Come on now. Campagnolo make racing groupsets - you can put any of their road grouspets on a bike and race it. Shimano doesn't - Tiagra parts often end up on hybrids and bikes that are meant to be ridden, not raced. I bought a 10 year old centaur set and the performance of that group, after using 105 and sora, was so much better it transformed the bike. You can defend Sora and Tiagra but lets not overstate its abilities.

Having recently raced in collegiate races where most racers are poor have fairly cobbled together bikes, I can tell you that Tiagra and Sora are not only race-able, they have served on bikes of guys hunting for national championships.

Are they as crisp, light, and attractive as SR11, Red, or DA9K? No of course not, but they do perform very well (no caveats needed).

Are they as crisp, light, and attractive as SR11, Red, or DA9K? No of course not, but they perform very well (no caveats needed).
EricW says:

Jul 30 2013 at 2:38 pm

@EricW Whoa, don't know what happened to the message there. Sorry for the repeat.
Paul 8v says:

Jul 31 2013 at 5:55 am

Funny how many beginners I meet who always ask "what gear the bike is in", since the Tiagra is entry level groupset it may be satisfy this. True that after a few rides you realise it doesn't actually matter...
Jeffrey S. says:

Jul 31 2013 at 3:01 pm

My 9 speed 105 shifter died and the LBS could only find Tiagra in a 9 speed configuration. I covered the indicator with a bit of electrician's tape. Problem solved.
rastuscat says:

Jul 31 2013 at 9:45 pm

@Jeffrey S.

My 9 speed 105 shifter died and the LBS could only find Tiagra in a 9 speed configuration. I covered the indicator with a bit of electrician's tape. Problem solved.

I suggest such an innovative approach to all true believers. Gaffer tape, genius. Simple ideas always the best.
minion says:

Aug 1 2013 at 2:50 am

@EricW Yeah, I'm not saying you can't race Sora and Tiagra, I'm saying Campagnolo is designed for racing, all the way through their line. Athena to 11sp, for instance, Veloce chains being as hard wearing and tough as record chains. There are a few details like this that show that Campagnolo really treat every group as a racing group, while Shimano's lower groups are really trickle down (i.e last year's technology) and price point product. Nothing wrong with that, and you can race it, but (arrogant wanker caveat) I've used Centaur, Veloce, 105, Ultegra and Dura Ace, and of the lower groups Centaur was the definite winner (current Athena level).