[DiRt DeViL]

My son's bike came with Shimano 105 controls and he can't shift to the big ring on his own. We either stop and make the shift or he'll pull the lever from the other side until it shifts.

Is a manufacturer out there that makes shifters for small handed people?

 

[Kihaji]

I've heard the new SRAM's are good for small hands.

 

[LordOpie]

If not, how about switching to those twist-grip shifters or rapid-fire used on mtb?

I know it costs money, but it's an idea.

 

[splat]

You could always use bar end shifters , or go a little old school and use down tube.

 

[sanjuro]

You might also play with the adjustment of the front derailleur. I have worked with a lot of women who are 5'2" and smaller, and I have not heard about this shifting problem.

Possibly, the front derailleur is not adjusted properly, and you are pulling too much cable.

 

[Repack]

A few thoughts:

Shifting into the big ring requires some amount of speed. He may not be spinning fast enough for the bike to shift well. One "rule of thumb" that I heard a while back is that you should be spinning (not grinding) at ~20mph or above to get smooth shifts into the big ring.

Have you considered a compact road crankset (34/46T)? I know a lot of racers who swear by them. My gf's coach is a former Olympian and recommended them and they work very well.

I have seen Shimano equiped womens' bikes that come with shims that hold the shifter closer to the handle bar. It would be very easy to makes some. They are amount 3mm thick. They fit into the gap that opens up as you pull on the brakes.

Related to the shims, there are a number of bars available with bends that position the levers closer to the bar.

He also may not be holding the shifter in long enough. A lot of people release the shifter as soon as they feel a click and do not understand why the bike does not shift well, if at all. On the front shifter especially, when you bottom out the lever the derr will move slightly passed the final position. When the shift is completed and the lever released, the derr moves back ~1mm or so closer to the frame. If I confused you on this one, put the bike in a stand a watch what the derr does as you shift the bike. Its not somehting that you would necessarily notice while riding.

 

[DiRt DeViL]

He's indeed running a compact set, Gossamer 50/34.

Where can I get those shims?

Him in action

 

[DHracer1067]

Any bike shop can get em through QBP and the like. I think they are about 10 bucks.

 

[Wumpus]

Here be the instructions: http://bike.shimano.com/media/cycling/techdocs/en/bikecomponents/ST/SI-6KD0A_v1_m56577569830563506.pdf

They show the wedge close to the beginning. Seems to be a 4° and 8°.

 

[Repack]

He's indeed running a compact set, Gossamer 50/34.

Where can I get those shims?

Looks like others beat me to the shim source, but you may also want to look into a Shimano big ring. Not many rings shift as well as Shimano. No need to replace the small ring b/c no shifting ramps.

Where was the race? Outside the USA? Looks like Spanish on the police vehicles.

 

[LordOpie]

great photos!

That pavement looks quite unpleasant!

I hope my kid will like riding.

 

[-dustin]

someone mentioned SRAM. no. way too much lever throw for that to be worthwhile.

i like the Shimano ring idea, as well as the bar-end shifter idea. also, have one of the mechanics putz around with how the cable is routed - perhaps he'll be able to clamp it so that the lever pulls more cable. that's doable with the rear...never tried in front, though.

not a big fan of the shims, and how they affect the brakes, but i don't have small hands.

 

[DiRt DeViL]

Where was the race? Outside the USA? Looks like Spanish on the police vehicles.

The race was in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

 

[splat]

Awesome Pics DD!!!

watching your Boy ( or Girl ) race : PRICELESS!!

By the way how old is he ?

 

[DiRt DeViL]

Awesome Pics DD!!!

watching your Boy ( or Girl ) race : PRICELESS!!

By the way how old is he ?

He's 10.

He's been racing since 5 on the mtb circuit and is currently doing track, road and soon mtb.

Track

MTB

Road

 

[BikeMike]

Specialized also makes shims. They even come in two different thicknesses. Using shims to bring the levers closer to the bars can make a lot of difference in shifting effort and hand strain for small handed people. Make sure to get the shims for your particular levers though. They're not universal (thanks Shimano, for such wonderful designed incompatibility).

 

[DiRt DeViL]

I've been trying to get them online but can't find them, Specialized does sell online to where I live.

Any online sources for the Slim Shims?

 

[Repack]

Cool pics. One other htought about the shifting: Did the compact crankset come with the bike? If the bike came with a triple, that would cause big shifting problems.

 

[DiRt DeViL]

Cool pics. One other htought about the shifting: Did the compact crankset come with the bike? If the bike came with a triple, that would cause big shifting problems.

The bike came with a triple drivetrain, everything was replaced to double when the crankset was changed to compact.

 

[loco-gringo]

I'll look around for the shims at the shop. I know that the Shimano R600 shifters are the short reach equivalent to Ultegra and come with the shims. They are spendy, but will solve your problem. If you don't find any, PM me. We might even have the short reach STIs, but I don't recall for how much, and it's likely easier to get them where you are, but if I can help, let me know.

 

[-dustin]

we have a bunch of the Slim Shims in stock...

 

[DiRt DeViL]

we have a bunch of the Slim Shims in stock...

Can you ship me a set?

 

[-dustin]

possibly...send me a PM with where you live, which shifters you've got, and what size shim you want. price would likely be $9.99 + about $5 to ship.

 

[DiRt DeViL]

After to talking to 2 coaches (including my son's) yesterday have reached the conclusion that a bar end or thumb shifter is the way to go.

Shims won't help, he just can't push the lever enough for it to shift.

My question now is, will a bar end shifter fit inside the end of the handlebar? I've never seen one installed on the drops of a road bike before.

Who sells individual bar end shifters? Don't want to buy a full set for just the left.

 

[-dustin]

well, i found out today that we could ship them to you, but that's a moot point now.

if you have a decent shop around, see if they have a single bar end. i know we've got quite a few sitting around. and yes, they can be installed on the drop of a roadie bar.

 

[Wumpus]

Can you not fit a down tube shifter on it? I'm sure a shop should have one in the spare parts bin.

 

[Wumpus]

Not real fond of how the cable goes on bar end shifters.

 

[caputo1989]

It is doable. I worked in a shop that solt alot of raod bikes. The Shimano WSD shifters (comprable to ultegra) are made to have a shorter push over to the big ring. I believe they have a spfter spring in them aswell, but im not positive. You can tune the front mech to be a little rough, but have a shorter throw. I cant find them on the shimano website....

 

[loco-gringo]

Not real fond of how the cable goes on bar end shifters.

You can route it under the tape and go down.

I am pretty sure the R600s have a short throw. Julie has tiny hands and has no problem.

 

[DiRt DeViL]

I'm still debating, thumb or bar end shifter?

Will only be the left one but I'm affraid of the kid hitting the shifter with his knee.

If I were to go with thumbies, near the stem?