Dumb noob question of the week (gear-levers)

[Monkspeed]

If I have a bike with the Shimano 2300/ Sora Gearset, can I do a simple swap of the STI gear-levers for SRAM "double tap" or Shimano Tiagra gear-levers, or do I have to change the whole Gearset as well?

I'm thinking I shouldn't have to change everything as it is just a lever that pulls a cable, right or wrong?

Thanks.

EDIT: Something like this? http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sram/apex-10-speed-shifters-ec023314

 

[PaulSecteur]

You need to match the number of gers on the rear cassette to the number of gear the levers have. I think sora and 2300 are 8 or 9 speed, so those apex you linked to wouldnt work. If you have 9 speed then I *think* you could use tiagra.

Ribble usuall seem to be one ones to beat on price for this sort of thing. PLEASE dont take my word as gospel, somebody much more informed should be along in a moment!

Tiagra levers... http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/ro...vers-Tiagra-4501-4503-with-Cables/SHIMGRSS320

 

[Monkspeed]

OK That seems fair enough, but when the whole SRAM APEX kit costs £360, I'm probably better off just buying that and tailor it to my needs then... The kit comes with brake callipers, do I need to change them when changing shifters as well?? If not then I could leave them out and save some money then.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

If I have a bike with the Shimano 2300/ Sora Gearset, can I do a simple swap of the STI gear-levers for SRAM "double tap" or Shimano Tiagra gear-levers, or do I have to change the whole Gearset as well?

I'm thinking I shouldn't have to change everything as it is just a lever that pulls a cable, right or wrong?

Thanks.

EDIT: Something like this? http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sram/apex-10-speed-shifters-ec023314

Wrong, generally. The thing to remember is that for the same # of speed Shimano and sram have identical cassette spacings, BUT different cable pull for shifter, hence the mechs also expect different cable pull (to deliver the same traverse at the cassette). You can't just change the brifters even sticking to the same # of speed.

For details you could look up some of the references I posted in post#13 of http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/road-shifter-compatability.77744/