Indoor Bike Improvement #4 - Improved Shifting

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 4 of 10 - Better Shift Buttons

The SB20 indoor bike has OK-ish shift buttons.  IMHO: The blip buttons under the handlebar tape are fine. The brake lever buttons are mediocre.  


STOP THE PRESSES

UPDATE February 2026.  I improved my method for fixing bad shifters.

Repair procedures are separated in three distinct steps. All are independent and optional:

  1. SB20 Fixing Broken Shifters

  2. SB20 Improving Shifter Buttons

  3. SB20 Handlebar Tape Replacement



* * * * * *

... Something else you may find interesting ...

Adopting SRAM Configuration

After using the top bar buttons for a few weeks, I started to see value in adopting the SRAM shifting philosophy: Left button(s) = lower gear; Right button(s) = higher gear. This works particularly well with the 1 x 25 Dream Drive configuration I have used since day one.  



5. I eventually settled on the following SRAM Inspired settings in Stages Cycling app > Devices > Setups:

⏪

Outside/Upper left button

-3 gears smaller


◀️

Inside/Lower left button

-1 gear smaller


 +1 gear bigger

Inside/Lower right button

▶️

 +3 gears bigger

Outside/Upper left button

⏩️

5b. The blip buttons follow the orientation of lever buttons i.e., when the top lever button shifts to larger gear, the nearest blip button will do the same. You may need to physically reverse each button pad before re-taping depending on how you customized of the lever buttons. 

Using this Setup

It took about 10 minutes to get used to this unique shifter arrangement. The big advantage for me: In a sprint, I no longer move to a smaller gear if I press the top button by mistake. The worst outcome: a less than optimal gear that is at least in the right direction. 

--------- UPDATE 📣  January 2024 ---------

I added Zwift Play controllers. I fabricated epoxy inserts for a better fit: Better Fitting Zwift Play Controller.


I also noticed that the Stages brake lever presses the orange Zwift play button to trigger the Zwift brake function without affecting steering. Very convenient if you ask me.



I had to disable the SB20 braking function using the Stages Cycling app. 




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