JGAN

I believe in the past with STI levers and regular brake housing, Shimano specified to not put a ferrule at the brake/lever junction. However, if I'm planning on using STI levers with mechanical disc brakes, compressionless housing, and full length cable housings, do I need to put a ferrule at the STI lever junction? I'm worried the housing is going to blow out without it. In this case, the lever is a 105 5600, but I suspect it is the same for all Shimano STI levers.

HillRider

I don't know what make of mechanical discs you are going to use but I just installed a pair of TRP Spyre brakes on a new build and I did use Jagwire compressionless housing. TRP recommends using a short section of standard spiral wound housing from the brifter/brake lever to about 1" past the first bend in the handlebar (about a 4" section), then using a double end ferrule to connect the two housings, run the compressionless the rest of the way to the brake calipers. My Tektro brake levers do use a ferrule but I believe Shimano STI's don't.

If you are running compressionless housing the entire way, the brifter will determine whether you need a ferrule at that end. If a ferrule fits into the housing stop, use it. If it doesn't don't.

cxwrench

No ferrule. You couldn't get one in the shifter body if you tried. If you did manage to get one in there, put the tools down and stop doing your own work.

MudPie

Another detail that helps is to grind or file the end of the brake housing flat, so the interface between the housing and bottom lever hole is clean and maximized contact area.

HillRider

Given your distaste for the term "brifter", you should be more precise. Brake housing isn't inserted in the shifter, it's inserted in the brake lever.

cxwrench

The piece the housing goes in is called the shifter body. We're talking road bikes. Everyone knows there's a brake lever built in. We all call them shifters.

HillRider

No you call them shifters. Almost everyone else calls them brifters. Yes, it's not a very elegant term but it is an accurate description for a combination of a brake lever and shifter.

cxwrench

Pro mechanics, team mechanics, nor industry people use the 'b' word. It's a point of derision actually.

aggiegrads

Do you ever wonder why most of the people here want to do their own work?

Rolla

If I ever use the terms brifter or seat mast, may I forever be condemned to riding a tri bike.

cxwrench

Because they want to do their own work, not because of minor thing like the 'b' word that 99.9% of people even know about. There is no need for it, virtually all road bikes have them.