I'm sold on the idea of disc brakes on road bikes so I don't want to open up that debate again. However, there's a few niggles in my mind about the practicalities of them. So, if anyone has any useful views, I'd like to hear them.
I've been trying to find out if the levers are serviceable. Throwing out a £30 XT lever that leaks is not so bad, but a £200 STi is a different matter. Some people are telling me they're not serviceable, others are saying they are and some are saying there's no answer yet, so I don't know who to believe.
These are not going to be out main bikes as we're not hardcore roadies so I'd expect at least ten years before we think of replacing them. As such, I don't fancy doing that on caliper brakes if we could go disc.
Next, is pure speculation. Shimano currently have one hydro lever with mechanical shifting. How long might we expect this to be the case? Do we think groupsets will get branded individually or will they stick to one di2 and one mechanical set?
Why not, in relation to the servicing question, ask Madison? They should know, as they would be providing the spares.
It would certainly save you from having the same concerns for....ohhh...[url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/st-rs685-shimano-sti-internals ]3-4 months now[/url]? 😉
Anyway, only seen one exploded diagram, and it's here:
Which doesn't show much, but from having a quick look at my own freshly fitted set, if Shimano provided the seals, it certainly looks like it could be taken apart.
...whether it would go back together again is another matter.
I know I've been asking for a while now. My thinking is that as time rolls on, more info might come to light. I've also downloaded the dealer manual for them but that doesn't give anything away.
I've asked the question on more threads than just that one 😆
As Shimano don't supply seals for any other hydraulic lever including the ST-R785 Di2 road lever it's highly unlikely they will change their mind and supply them for these.
A cheaper sub assembly would be nice though. STi levers are expensive beasts.