2300 thumb shifters

[Doyleyburger]

Ok so my new steed is on the way, hopefully be here by the weekend so I can give it my first test.
After some lengthy thought and sought after advice I went for the Giant Defy 4 in the end. Got a cracking deal on a private sale......a used once mint condition 2013 model in white. I just hope the couriers are gentle with my new baby. I decided on the defy because of its outstanding lightweight frame design, together with the carbon forks offer a very comfortable riding position but not necessarily compromising performance.
However......Although I knew what shimano set up was on the bike (basic 2300), i am slightly worried that the thumb shifters will be difficult to get along with. On my previous bike I had Claris STI shifters which were great and although not regarded as a top level set up, they shifted silky smooth with no problem at all.

My first question is : How many of you find these thumb shifters tricky to get along with ?

Question 2 : I purchased the bike knowing some upgrades will be required. One of them being the group set......eventually, but how difficult would it be to first of all change these to STI shifters.
The bike has triple rings up front.

Thanks

 

[fluffkitten]

I use the thumb shifters on my Triban without any issue but then I'm rarely on the drops so they're never out of reach.

Claris (2400) is fully compatible with 2300 stuff so you shouldn't have any problems changing to them if you can't get on with the thumb shifters.

 

[Dusty Bin]

Changing them is not too difficult. You may also need new cables and new bar tape. The only real problem with the thumb shifters is that you can't operate them on the drops, but they work well enough apart from that - not everyone's cup of tea though...

 

[smokeysmoo]

Changing them is not too difficult. You may also need new cables and new bar tape. The only real problem with the thumb shifters is that you can't operate them on the drops, but they work well enough apart from that - not everyone's cup of tea though...

^ this

 

[Doyleyburger]

Thanks guys. I have a feeling that im not going to like them, but who knows. I'll try them out and see. Been trying to ride on the drops more often Dusty.

Thanks @fluffkitten I will look into those shifters if they're compatible

 

[Doyleyburger]

Changing them is not too difficult. You may also need new cables and new bar tape. The only real problem with the thumb shifters is that you can't operate them on the drops, but they work well enough apart from that - not everyone's cup of tea though...

Have to meet up soon Dusty

 

[Dusty Bin]

Have to meet up soon Dusty

I rode through NCE today - I should have given you a shout...

 

[fluffkitten]

Thanks guys. I have a feeling that im not going to like them, but who knows. I'll try them out and see. Been trying to ride on the drops more often Dusty.

Thanks @fluffkitten I will look into those shifters if they're compatible

There's a good chance you don't even need to change the bar tape. You can remove the cables, unbolt the 2300 shifters and then bolt on the new 2400 shifters (2403 since its a triple) while rethreading the old cables. There a youtube vid of someone doing that iirc.

 

[Doyleyburger]

I rode through NCE today - I should have given you a shout...

Wasn't up to much, but then again I'm without a pedal for a few days anyway !

Could've popped in for a pit stop tho. Kettles always on the stove dude

 

[Doyleyburger]

There's a good chance you don't even need to change the bar tape. You can remove the cables, unbolt the 2300 shifters and then bolt on the new 2400 shifters (2403 since its a triple) while rethreading the old cables. There a youtube vid of someone doing that iirc.

Awesome ....i have scanned through YouTube but couldn't find much to help me. If you could send a link I'd be most grateful

 

[fluffkitten]

Awesome ....i have scanned through YouTube but couldn't find much to help me. If you could send a link I'd be most grateful

Will see what I can find.

 

[Peteaud]

Mrs Aud has them on her specialized, prefers them as she rarely uses the drop and just finds them easier, especially as she has small hands.

 

[Dusty Bin]

There's a good chance you don't even need to change the bar tape.

Next you'll be telling us you can remove your underpants without first taking off your trousers....

 

[smokeysmoo]

Will see what I can find.

Good luck with that. You have top remove the tape from the top of the bars to get to the retaining bolt, and then the rest of the tape to slide off the shifter once it's loose.

FYI, these are the best vids for taping bars IMO, follow them and you can't go wrong*





*if you do go wrong you don't know me

@Doyleyburger , I had thumb shifters on a Campag Veloce build I did last year, hated them with a passion, but that might just be me

 

[Doyleyburger]

@smokeysmoo I think I will too.

Good vid that one