[JonBoy]

I am thinking about buying a bike and wondering if I can use V-Brake Levers with the BB-5 Disk? Also in my eye its better but was thinking about replacing the Deore Shifters and Avid FR-5 Levers with a LX combo shifter brake lever. I currently on my old bike have LX combo but old model. Feel I can do it and sell stock levers and shifters and would only have under $20 in the change. Good Idea? bad Idea? Not worth my time?

 

[mtb_biker]

Yes fr-5 levers will work fine. I assume you're talking about the STI style LX. Your idea of going to the integrated brake/shifter might need some rethinking if you haven't tried the sti levers yet (to work in the way its intended you're going to need a rapid rise rear derailleur). Also i think your $20 change over cost might be a little bit underestimated.

 

[XSL_WiLL]

You don't need a rapid rise rear derailleur.

 

[JonBoy]

Ok let me clear up what I am wanting to do if I got the bike. It is a Ibex 650 with Deore Rapidfire Shifters and FR-5 Levers using BB-5 disk brakes and it has a LX rear derailer. I am wanting to know if I can swap out the shifter and levers with a Shimano LX shifter brake combo unit? Also wanting to know if this would be considered an upgrade or just wasting my time.

 

[mtb_biker]

Yes you can do that without a problem. (it would be considered an upgrade)

Which LX shifter brake combo unit are you referrig to?

The STI Dual control ones?

or the Rapidfire ones?

I guess i should reword it since it may somehow have sounded like you needed a rapid rise rear derailleur to run the newer lx shifters.

I'm not sure how my comment about you should use a rapid rise rear derailleur got twisted into making it sound like you need a rapid rise rear derailleur if you're going with the dual control levers, but you don't need a rapid rise rear derailleur, but to work the way the shifters were ment to you should get a rapid rise rear derailleur but it will "work" with a non rapid rise rear derailleur.

 

[XSL_WiLL]

(to work in the way its intended you're going to need a rapid rise rear derailleur).

I guess it's a misunderstanding.

I'm not a fan of any combo units, I especially don't like the dual control shifter/brake levers. For XC and AMish stuff it might work fine, but not so much when you're taking drops or bombing DH.

 

[JonBoy]

Im talking about the Rapid Fire ones. In a way I am a newbie but then again I have scars that prove otherwise. Im just looking for a bike that I will be happy with and currently have a 1995 Trek 930 with LX components so going with real cheap stuff im afraid will be a big turn off trying to get back into the sport. Price, feel of shifters, and weight is my main issues in looking for a new bike. I have been able to find the RF shifters fairly cheap $50 or so. Average price on selling the stock shifters and brake levers $15 each so leaving me $20 to pay + shipping.

Whats the difference whats the Dual Control? Thats new to me.

 

[dogonfr]

So what bike do you have a Ibex or Trek Is ther a problem with your existing shifters & brakes

 

[gunfodder]

Let me see if I have this straight. You are thinking about buying a new Ibex bike and then immediately selling the shifters and brake levers (in "as new" condition) so that you can buy integrated LX Rapidfire shifters/levers.

The problem is that STI sucks. If you want to upgrade to hydraulic discs later you'll have to buy new shifters as well, and they are expensive. Likewise if you want to switch to a SRAM drivetrain. And you cannot independently adjust the position of your shifters and brake levers. That's why they are so cheap.

 

[mtb_biker]

I personally don't like the dual control lever's or the lx integrated rapidfireshifters. If i were you I would just keep the deore shifters and the avid levers (which feel alot better than the rapid fire deore levers).

If you wanted/had to upgrade i would say maybe get some xt shifter and keep the avid levers.