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Just read on a CTC report that you can't use a bar bag with Tiagra STI shifters due to the gear cable routing - is this true? Anyone had any experiences? Looking at either 44cm or 46cm shallow drop bars if that makes any difference. Thanks
Probably depends on your bar and brake positions, the cable exits the hood pointing acccross the bike so into the area a bar bag would be.
On the plus side this gives much lighter shifting than 105/ultegra (DA-9000 has apparently sorted it).
Depends how big the bag is, something containing wallet, phone, keys, map, camera etc would be fine, a weeks worth of clothes probably not. Either measure the space available and buy one that fits or get into an LBS and dangle what they've got over whatevers on display.
some of the lower end (and older 1990s) STI levers have the cable coming out of the side of the shifter instead of into the inside of bar/routed under bar tape. Thats what they'll be refering to.
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tiagra = old style routing
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105/ULT/DA = newer bar tape style routing
my older 105's are like this, I manage to fit an ortlieb bar bag by taking out the cable adjusters and fitting longer outers. could then just about get enough bend in the cables to run them around the bag
wasnt a big deal but was a bit of a pain to set up the mechs once id done it with only a rear mech adjuster
Modern tiagras are fine , had altura dryline bar bag between em when i toured nz
Heard a rumour that fitting V brake noodles to the side of the shifters can improve clearance as the cable is turned as soon as it exits the shifter. Anyone done this?
EDIT [url= http://thecrazyrandonneur.wordpress.com/2012/05/08/how-to-have-a-large-handlebar-bag-with-sti-shifters/ ]Found one here[/url]
[url= http://http://kentsbike.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/v-brake-noodle-shifter-trick.html ]Here's another[/url]
Thanks for the replies - yes its an older 9x3 tiagra set up, just have to see what bag will squeeze in there / or go down the V brake noodle path. Off to the alps at the end of the month for a few days so wanted to get a bar bag of some type.