Shimano hydraulic RS685 shifting, not as tactile as 6800 ?

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Birdman
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Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 4:03 pm
Location: Chicago, IL, USA

by Birdman

I have two bikes with full Ultegra set up. One is hydraulic RS685, the other is rim brake mechanical 6800.

I find the hydraulic RS685 shifting does not "snap" and "pop" as crisp as their mechanical counter part. The 6800 shifters are noticeably sharper in both front and rear shifting.

I am sure it is NOT the cable routing because when I played with the RS685 right out of the box unmounted, they felt soft (didn't feel like friction) just one hand tugging on the cable and the other hand shifting.

Does anyone else have the same experience?
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TurboKoo
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by TurboKoo

I think it could be because of heavier lever that makes movement slightly dampened but I have noticed the same.
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FIJIGabe
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by FIJIGabe

Odd, because I run 9000 and 685, and hardly notice a difference. Now, 105 has a noticeable lack of sharpness on downshift, but the upshifts are almost the same.

Birdman
Posts: 283
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 4:03 pm
Location: Chicago, IL, USA

by Birdman

By the way, the biggest difference that made me post this question is the downshift (big to small), not up shift (small to big).

There is a frictiony/grinding feel when I downshift on the RS685. Feels like it is coming from inside the shifter. Maybe between the shift levers.
Cervelo R3 MUD ~ viewtopic.php?f=10&t=136544
Specialized Allez Gold ~ viewtopic.php?f=10&t=134419

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FIJIGabe
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by FIJIGabe

Have those shifters checked out. I haven't noticed this at all.

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CBJ
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Location: Brooklyn

by CBJ

Compare to my DA 7900 the RS685 feels much crisper. My RS685 bike runs full housing no internal at all which I think help too.

trailflow1
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Joined: Sat Oct 17, 2015 8:30 am

by trailflow1

Try lubricating the internals.

DavidMLee
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by DavidMLee

Try lubricating the internals. X2
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Birdman
Posts: 283
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 4:03 pm
Location: Chicago, IL, USA

by Birdman

I haven't tried greasing the internals yet... BUT, today I went to a LBS and tried their shifters. They got a good mix of RS685+Ultegra, RS685+105, full Ultegra 6800, full 105 5800... etc. They all have the same feel as my RS685+Ultegra, not as tactile.

Right now I'm wondering if Shimano changed some internal ratchet or springs mid run or something. Not sure. I got my 6800 group 2 years ago and my RS685 early 2015.

off topic observation: SRAM equipped road bikes are few and far between in many LBS... They make nice stuff, hope they step up soon.
Cervelo R3 MUD ~ viewtopic.php?f=10&t=136544
Specialized Allez Gold ~ viewtopic.php?f=10&t=134419

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