transamnut

I own (obviously) a 2012 Trek Madone 5.2 compact. The front brake/shifter assembly needs to be replaced (it will not shift from the big ring to the small ring anymore). My LBS, whom I bought the bike from new, cannot locate a replacement assembly for me (they say because of the age of the component.........). I'm sure with a bit of research, I can locate one on the interweb somewhere. The original spec on the shifter (from Trek's archives), says it is a Shimano Ultegra STI, 10 speed.

Any additional information that can be offered to help locating one would be greatly appreciated!!

dedhed

Look under the hood on the lever for a model number like st-6700

Did you try the shimano sti WD40 flush first?

Here is a compatibility chart.

https://productinfo.shimano.com/#/co...453&acid=C-455

hillcdp2109

Had the same shifter and issue. I tried everything, wd40 etc....I patiently waited until I found one on Craigslist. The entire assembly is really complicated.

shelbyfv

For Ultegra 10 speed the models are 6600 for exposed cables and 6700 for under the tape cables. Current 10 speed Tiagra is weird and not compatible. Lots of folks are happy with Microshift as replacements. https://www.microshift.com/en/product/sb-r402k/

transamnut

Yes, it looks like those would definitely work. My concern is that these might be sort of like a "quick fix" type of shifter (maybe not the quality I'm looking for). Might there be an "upgrade" shifter? I can see that I might be better off replacing both shifters so they feel the same while riding. What about SRAM? I have seen the videos on the difference in shifting; I think I could get used to that pretty quick.
I have a lot of $$$ into this bike and want to keep it as close to the same.
Thanks again for your (and everyone's) help.
I'm going to pick up the bike today. I told them to fix the front derailleur to the big ring so I can ride it while I research a solution.

mprince

Then you already have your answer with the Shimano shifters already mentioned. Dura-Ace would be the only possible upgrade provided the cable pull for 10 speed is the same as Ultegra; other than Microshift, going to another brand will get expensive as it would require new derailleurs of the same brand (generally).

cpach

If it were my bike I'd either replace just the left shifter with an exact, used replacement or upgrade the drivetrain to 11 or 12 speeds. Shifters are the largest cost in the drivetrain.

I kinda like SRAM doubletap road drivetrains, although they've become rather uncommon OEM for everything but 1x bikes with disc brakes. They are entirely incompatible with Shimano rear derailleurs so take that into account.

ljsense

You can use a SRAM 10-speed left shifter with Shimano 10-speed era front derailleurs. It was a pretty common thing to do when people were unhappy with the performance of SRAM front derailleurs, the Red one in particular. I did it myself for about a year on one of my bikes. It worked. Leonard Zinn wrote an article about it at one point, if you want to look it up and get into all the details.

Anyway, it's an option. You probably would be able to pick up a left SRAM 10 speed shifter pretty easily on eBay. The hoods won't match, but I can't see the shifting action giving you problems.

transamnut

Thanks for everyone's opinions/ideas. I did my research on the internet and decided on changing the shifters and derailleurs to SRAM Red. They still offer these components in a 10-speed. I'm excited as this seems to be a bit of an upgrade to the Ultegra components.

transamnut

You are correct in your response. I can't buy a bike that compares to this bike with the $$$ I will spend to repair it.

SJX426 

One of the reasons I like Campagnolo. Rebuildable assemblies with most parts still available. Just rebuilt 15 year old Ergos for les than $50.

Drew Eckhardt 

Yeah, although the G-spring levers require frequent rebuilds.

While the more durable Ultrashift levers do not (shifting like I have ADHD, I got 25,000 miles before breaking a spring) Campagnolo discontinued small parts sales for them mid-year in 2009 when they were introduced.

You can only buy complete shift mechanisms for ~$80.

While suboptimal that still beats a whole lever that may have been discontinued years ago.

SJX426 

Just bought G springs in the last month from Branford. Also carrier with G springs.

robertorolfo

I didn't want to be the first one to say it, but yes, exactly.

All these threads talking about the only solution for Shimano being a thorough dousing with WD-40 and a prayer... Not the experience I would be looking for. Plus, the bike next to my GF's on our building's bike rack is a nearly new Bianchi with Ultegra (looks like it's been ridden the half mile from the store to our building, and never again). I took a good look at the levers and they certainly don't scream quality to me. Plus, they have exposed springs and internals on the underside that are disconcerting as well.

Define frequent? I know it's different for everyone, but considering that changing G-springs is fairly straightforward, seems like an acceptable trade off for keeping a drivetrain intact indefinitely.
Likewise, $80 for a brand new shifter every 25K miles is OK in my book.

Drew Eckhardt 

Unfortunately, small parts like the the EC-SR037 front paddle return spring for Ultrashift levers with a design 11 years newer are not available* because Campagnolo stopped small part sales for the new 2009 shifters a few months into 2009. They discontinued the rebuild packs shortly afterwards but offered the cable takeup bushings EC-SR060/EC-SR061.

(gfk velo strips new shifters for parts which they sell separately, and Peter Chisholm proprietor of Vecchio's Bicicletteria in Boulder, CO at least used to do that)



Original 2009 Campagnolo spares catalog

Revised 2009 spares catalog without small parts.

MudPie

I’ve rehabilitated a few brifters in this manner. I always suggest trying this first as it’s easy and low cost.

robertorolfo

How is EC-SR037 different from EC-RE137? Could the 137 possibly be modified to work in place of the 037?

Drew Eckhardt 

There's no compatibility per Graeme gfk_velo who is the head UK Campagnolo tech.

robertorolfo

Interesting... and disappointing. I really wonder if it can't be finagled, and they simply don't want people trying it at home...