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Vuka Shifters...just stupid or super necessary?

Chris GChris G
in Community Forum 🏠

After being on the fence for the better part of a year I finally decided on a new tri bike.  Will be on a QR CD 0.1 this year.  Deciding on the last few peices of the build.  Have been coveting the Sram RTC shifters cause, well they look cool.  Did not wanna go the sram route and now they are rebranding them as Zipps and are Shimano compatible which is great.  While I am trying to sell myself on the idea that they are more aero, when the company is only claiming a 5 second per 40k advantage that is a pretty weak justification.  Further, it looks like the 7900 FD is only compatible with the new DA shifters so I could not run a 7900 FD with them which I am not sure I care about at all.  So back to hemming and hawing.  Did I mention that they are just stupid expensive?  They will go nicely with the Darth Vadar theme I am working on...

 

What says the Nation?

Comments

  • mattsullmattsull

    stupid necessary.

  • Trent ProughTrent Prough

    Go for the LOOK, it's all about the LOOK.  This makes you HAVE to prove that because you spent a rediculous amout on them, that it does make you faster.

  • mattsullmattsull

    Isn't this really a rhetrical post anyway?

  • GregSVanGregSVan

    You wouldnt be a tri guy if you didn't look like you took a second mortgage out.

    ironvan.com/2010/03/26/new-product-...pp-merger/

  • Chris GChris G

    not rhetorical at all...

    Funny thing is about 6 minutes after I posted this the acct walked in an handed me my draft returns which spell out all the bad news...make me want to want to throw up a little...anybody know where I can get a deal on some 8 speed stuff?

  • DocHoffartDocHoffart
    Chris,

    They are easier on the wrist I would imagine so you are preventing repetitive stress issues with wrist and hands. Of course, there always is Di2. I'm thinking of sell my Cervelo R3 (I have 4 bikes) and upgrading to Di2 on my TT bike (Ridley Dean).

    Vince
  • Cary BlancoCary Blanco
    If you keep your hands/fingers on the end of the bars/on-the-shifters (as I used to on my 'old' tri bike) these would make a huge difference in comfort.
  • manconamancona
    I've used the both the SRAM and Zipp ones and they work well. The Zipp are just slighty more comfortable and offer Shimano compatability as you mentioned. FYI, to get the full package you also need the matching vuka shift R2C for another $200 ... then you can drop 20 grams on top of the 5 seconds.

    By no means are they worth the money because of the performance gain. Last year I just adjusted my cables and gearing so that the gears I was in most of the time had the shifters horizontal and I got the same performance gain for free.

    That said they are cool and I will be riding the R2C levers this year as they came part of a package ... I would not have spent the money on them if I had to by them separately.

    Unless you are getting a great deal, my vote would be to spend the money elsewhere unless you have exactly what you want on the rest of the bike.
  • Coach PatrickCoach Patrick
    Having just send more money than ever to THE MAN, I will be riding my same set up. Going on year 7 of my road bike, year 3 of tri bike...

    Only upgrading when it blows up,

    P
  • Dave TalloDave Tallo

    My 2 cents, but I think there's much more utility to be had by tossing the cost of those levers towards a pair of Assos bibs, or a flight for a training week(end) in (insert uber-cool destination here).  

    Again, it's just my inherent frugality ... but I can't help but see the enormous opportunity cost whenever I see bicycle bling.

     

     

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