Hi all
I’m new to cycling and new to this forum, and hope someone can help me out…
I recently purchase a new bike online. I suspect that I have been ripped off and would like some help in understanding bike parts before I approach the supplier to resolve this matter.
As far as I am aware:
• Shimano SORA 3500 shifters suit a setup with two chainrings.
• Shimano SORA 3503 shifters suit a setup with three chainrings.
Is that correct?
In the specifications sheet on the supplier's website, it lists the bike's shifters as: ‘SHIMANO SORA 3500 STI Dual Control’. The bike came with a crankset with two chainrings (and was described and pictured as such). I don’t think the shifters are Shimano Sora 3500 shifters.
The left shifter has three engagement points… i.e. when I shift up, I can shift up twice, and when I shift down, I can shift down twice (two clicks each way). The little orange indicator also moves to three positions. I suspect that this shifter is either:
• a Shimano Sora 3503 shifter; or
• counterfeit.
‘Shimano SORA Double’ is emblazoned on the front of the shifter. This is the reason I suspect the shifter is fake (along with the price I paid for the bike)… Why would it say 'Double' when it allows for three chainrings?
Are my premises correct and my suspicions plausible?
In addition to the above, the shifter does not work properly. After shifting up (twice) I have to manually pull the whole leaver outwards before I can shift down. I haven’t ridden the bike yet (frown) I was really looking forward to getting out on a new bike!
Thanks in advance!
Shimano 3500 vs 3503 have I been misled?
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Re: Shimano 3500 vs 3503 have I been misled?
Postby djrebus1972 » Sat Aug 01, 2015 2:58 am
You have not been misled.
There are 3 settings on a Double Chainring. One for the inside(smaller chain ring) one for the outer(larger) chain ring. The third setting is called 'Trim'...it is used when you are cycling on the outer(larger) chainring and on the rear cassette you are on the lowest (closest to the wheel) gear-if you are riding like that the chain stretches across from Outer (Large) chain ring to the rear cassette and can cause the chain to rub against the front derailleur. When that occurs you gently shift 'down'- this keeps the chain on the outer chain ring but moves the front derailleur in to prevent the chain rub.
There are plenty simply technical guides out there (I suggest Zinn's Art of Road Bike Maintenance) to help improve your knowledge of exactly how a bike works. Failing that find a reputable store that will give the bike a look over.
The SORA gear set is a work horse (i used to have it a few years back) and does a good enough job. Just get that bit of knowledge on how these systems work (ensuring you maintain this gearset will give you longer life).
My advice- stop worrying and just get on the bike and get used to how it functions.
There are 3 settings on a Double Chainring. One for the inside(smaller chain ring) one for the outer(larger) chain ring. The third setting is called 'Trim'...it is used when you are cycling on the outer(larger) chainring and on the rear cassette you are on the lowest (closest to the wheel) gear-if you are riding like that the chain stretches across from Outer (Large) chain ring to the rear cassette and can cause the chain to rub against the front derailleur. When that occurs you gently shift 'down'- this keeps the chain on the outer chain ring but moves the front derailleur in to prevent the chain rub.
There are plenty simply technical guides out there (I suggest Zinn's Art of Road Bike Maintenance) to help improve your knowledge of exactly how a bike works. Failing that find a reputable store that will give the bike a look over.
The SORA gear set is a work horse (i used to have it a few years back) and does a good enough job. Just get that bit of knowledge on how these systems work (ensuring you maintain this gearset will give you longer life).
My advice- stop worrying and just get on the bike and get used to how it functions.
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Re: Shimano 3500 vs 3503 have I been misled?
Postby Strydz » Sat Aug 01, 2015 3:10 am
If it was a triple shifter it would throw the chain off the chainrings, is it doing that? I say what is happening is a function called Trim, here is what the fabulous Sheldon Brown site says it is
Trim
To make a fine adjustment to the position of the front derailer cage. This is sometimes necessary as the rear derailer is shifted because changes in chain angle can cause the chain to rub on the front derailer cage.
Some indexed front shift controls provide a "trim" function, usually an extra click or two, to let the rider compensate for this.
I hope that helps a little, i'm sure somebody else will come along and explain it better than I have
Trim
To make a fine adjustment to the position of the front derailer cage. This is sometimes necessary as the rear derailer is shifted because changes in chain angle can cause the chain to rub on the front derailer cage.
Some indexed front shift controls provide a "trim" function, usually an extra click or two, to let the rider compensate for this.
I hope that helps a little, i'm sure somebody else will come along and explain it better than I have
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Re: Shimano 3500 vs 3503 have I been misled?
Postby Bentnose » Sat Aug 01, 2015 7:41 am
You'll also notice that to trim requires a lighter pressure than a full on down shift, whereas a triple will be a full push to go down to the middle ring.
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Re: Shimano 3500 vs 3503 have I been misled?
Postby tafulton » Sun Aug 02, 2015 9:10 pm
Thanks for the replies. I'm going to go to a bike mechanic to get them to help tune it properly... hopefully they'll be able to show me as well.
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Re: Shimano 3500 vs 3503 have I been misled?
Postby Duck! » Sun Aug 02, 2015 9:43 pm
It wouldn't if the derailleur is properly tuned to two rings. A triple shifter of any model will work perfectly fine on a double setup, it just needs careful tuning to not allow the mechanism to overshift into the third gear position, which can result in breakage of the shifter guts. Also, due to the length of the shift stroke, a triple will usually require a second sweep of the lever to shift from middle to big rings.Strydz wrote:If it was a triple shifter it would throw the chain off the chainrings, is it doing that?
I had a thought, but it got run over as it crossed my mind.
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