What crucial integration did Shimano introduce in 1990 by combining braking and shifting on road bikes?
Answer
Shimano Total Integration (STI).
After establishing indexing, innovation focused heavily on improving rider convenience and stability. In 1990, Shimano introduced Shimano Total Integration (STI) specifically for road bikes. This advancement involved integrating the shift mechanism directly into the brake lever assembly. This consolidation meant riders could maintain constant control over braking while simultaneously executing gear changes, as their hands no longer needed to leave the handlebars to manipulate downtube shifters or separate shift levers, a feature later mirrored by Campagnolo's Ergo-Power system.
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