9-sp Ultegra to 10-sp 105 brifters

[Tall]

Yeah yeah, I know: I'm way behind the times.

On our tandem, we currently have a 3x9 drivetrain. XTR rear derailleur, Ultegra FD and Ultegra brifters (ST-6510). I need to replace the cassette soon, and the options for high quality 9-speed cassettes are starting to look a little slim these days. So I was thinking about changing things up to 3x10, with a 105 brifter (ST-5600) that I have in my parts bin. The current set-up works really well, and so now I'm wondering if going to a 105 brifter may deteriorate the shifting quality, especially in light of the long cable run on a tandem. Is there a pronounced difference in function in that generation of brifters between Ultegra and 105?

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by Tall

Yeah yeah, I know: I'm way behind the times.

On our tandem, we currently have a 3x9 drivetrain. XTR rear derailleur, Ultegra FD and Ultegra brifters (ST-6510). I need to replace the cassette soon, and the options for high quality 9-speed cassettes are starting to look a little slim these days. So I was thinking about changing things up to 3x10, with a 105 brifter (ST-5600) that I have in my parts bin. The current set-up works really well, and so now I'm wondering if going to a 105 brifter may deteriorate the shifting quality, especially in light of the long cable run on a tandem. Is there a pronounced difference in function in that generation of brifters between Ultegra and 105?

I think if you use good, lined der housing(5mm would be best), a good slick, stainless inner wire(1.1mm), metal ferrules..a maybe a little light lube in the housing(I use Boeshield), I think the RH 105 shifter would work fine.

Tall posted this twice, maybe the Mods can merge....

[rccardr]

In my experience, 5600 STI shifters have a hitch in the 4th to 5th cog upshift, maybe seven times out of ten. Had the same thing with a half dozen of them.
Would suggest moving to 6600 instead, never had that hitch with 6600 shifters.

[Tall]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

I think if you use good, lined der housing(5mm would be best), a good slick, stainless inner wire(1.1mm), metal ferrules..a maybe a little light lube in the housing(I use Boeshield), I think the RH 105 shifter would work fine.

Tall posted this twice, maybe the Mods can merge....

Oh, boo. I had gotten that NGINX error when hitting "post" and was assuming my post hadn't gone through. Apologies.

[DeBike]

I have 6600 derailleurs and brakes, 6750 crankset and 4600 shifters. Shifting is absolutely spot on. They shift better than either 5700 set that I have. Having said that, after recabling/housing them with more care, both of those sets are working really well now. I also have 4600 shifters matched with 6500 derailleurs and brakes, operates about as well as with the 6500 shifters.

[robt57]

Originally Posted by Tall

On our tandem, we currently have a 3x9 drivetrain. XTR rear derailleur, Ultegra FD and Ultegra brifters (ST-6510). I need to replace the cassette soon, and the options for high quality 9-speed cassettes are starting to look a little slim these days.

Recent purchase in similar situation. 11/34 9s

SRAM Pg-970 9 Speed Cassette
Item# CS266B02 1134 $36.99 USD 1 $36.99 USD

https://www.jensonusa.com/SRAM-PG-970-9-Speed-Cassette

Link shows 11-32 and 11-34

Went up since I bought it, and not a little either... 44.00 now, but not end of world...

[marciero]

The longer cable runs on tandems can present a problem when coupled with the increased friction from the under the bar routing on these shifters. It may depend on the routing on your particular bike. I have the similar 3X9 xtr drive train on a tandem - in our case its dura ace 7700 - that shifts flawlessly. Our other tandem has had both 105 and Ultegra 10sp groups and has never shifted as well. I've pretty much accepted that it takes three clicks to down shift (ie, bigger cog) when in the smaller cogs- two to get it to shift and one to back off. Now part of that is down to a turn that the cable has to take right behind the head tube to route under the downtube on that particular bike. But much of it has got to be down to the under the bar tape routing, coupled with the long cable run. I still have hopes of addressing this (was thinking yokazuna cable housing) but it has not been a priority. If your only reason for switching is cassette availability my advice is not to switch until you absolutely cannot buy 9 sp cassettes. Even the touring grade cassettes are fine if you dont mind a few extra grams.

[tellyho]

You can totally get a fine Sunrace 9 spd cassette in whatever flavor you want still.

[Ralph]

Plenty of 9 speed reasonably priced cassettes still available.....to use with your SUPERIOR 9's shifters.