Shimano

Ultegra ST-6700 STI Shifters

As with all Shimano component groups, the signature piece of the new Ultegra 6700 set is the STI levers. Following the trickle-down rules of Shimano components, these share a design with their blingier brother, Dura Ace 7900, a body shape that is supposed to be easier to grasp and a changed pivot point which makes braking from the hoods easier. Like those levers, these route the shift cables under your handlebar tape. Like those levers, these have a carbon-fiber brake/shift lever blade that is shaped for better shifting; more material on the outside of the arm so there's more material for your finger(s) to find when upshifting and the levers are canted slightly outward for quicker action. The right lever can still downshift one, two, or three cogs at a time, while it can still upshift one cog at a time. The pivot and lever shape have been changed to pull more cable at the beginning of the brake lever stroke, ala their well-known Servo-Wave tech, so the brake pads can rest farther from the rim; it's also a way to, when paired with the matching brakes, increase braking power.

Of course, there are differences. The left lever still has a "trim" feature, something that was engineered out of the new 7900. The reach adjustment is achieved by inserting shims between the lever and the body. It designed to work with 6700 front derailleurs, but can work with older Ultegra 6600 and current Dura Ace 7900, but Shimano is calling it "'B' compatibility," meaning it works but you lose some features you'd otherwise have.

The right lever is designed to work with Shimano 10-speed rear derailleurs. It can work with older Ultegra 6600 derailleurs. It can also work with 7900, though it, too is 'B' compatibility level.

Using these levers with older Shimano brakes is not recommended. The feel will be "hard," and there will be very little modulation in braking power.

These levers are lighter than their predecessors, both the older Ultegra, which was 490g for a set, and last year's Ultegra SL, which came in at 447g a set. The left lever is designed to shift double-chain ring cranks, and there is a "trim" shift in order to optimize the position of your front derailleur. The levers come with Shimano cables and housing.