Token Accura Carbon Shifter & Control Lever

Price Paid:  $307.00 at ProCyclingWorld.com

Favorite Ride:
Token Corsa Race

Bike Setup:
Token Corsa with carbon frame, fork, stem, handlebars, seatpost, and wheels (a true sub 14 steed!). Token Accura titanium brake calipers, Token Accura shifters, front derailleur, and rear derailleur. Token C50 carbon CLINCHER wheels. Red (color matched) Omni Racer and Token metal bolts and bits to p1mp things-out.

Summary:
First, the levers are solid. Not too meaty like Dura Ace, but not too dainty like Record. The shifting detents are extremely precise and the action is light, but acknowledged with firm, crisp clicks. When matched with a full Token Accura drivetrain, shifting is crisp, and nearly instant and creepily silent on both front and rear. I prefer a wet teflon lube which may help facilitate this over say a dry wax. The upshift is accomplished by swinging an inside lever inward like Campy. But unlike Campy, the downshift BUTTON is located on the the same side--the outside of the levers. To me, this is a more natural posiiton when sprinting, allowing for less ackward shifts when you're in a full-out sprint. The button requires a bit of firm pressure but has a monumentally shorter throw than Shimano or Campy--litterally millimeters--not even a full centimeter. I've noticed that you can get the jump on someone because without changing your hand position or twisting your arms and shoulders, you can get out of the saddle and drop down a few cogs on the quick. My only complaint is that there are top-inside exiting cables like Shimano versus completely on-the-bar hidden cables like Campy. Functionally, these are the best shift and brake levers I've ridden to date and their light and cheap so they get a 5 for value. They could look a touch cooler and could hide all the cables, but not bad for a first go.

Strengths:
Price! Value! CARBON! Weight! Faster, crisper, cheaper and sneakier than Dura Ace and Record!

Weaknesses:
Not all cables are hidden on the bar like on Record. The glass window at the top reading "10 speed" is a bit out of place. If it was a gear position indicator or somehow presented some ditigal information, then yeah, sure, I'd dig it. But it serves no purpose here.

Similar Products Used:
2006, 2007, 2008 Shimano Dura Ace. 2006, 2007 Campagnolo Record. Though I have each, they don't stack-up and certainly don't justify the premium.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at can be purchased at

Favorite Ride:
Tour de Christiana (stage race)

Bike Setup:
Token 9827 Corsa Road Frameset, Campy Record 07 grouppo, Token Accura brakeset, Look Keo pedals, Token 9571 saddle, and 915 seatpost, 939A stem, FSA FD200 Classic handlebars 42cm, Token T50 tubular 50mm carbon race wheelset, Conti Sprinter tubulars

Summary:
I believe that I'm one of the only people in the US to have used this item. I first tested the shifters at Interbike, but they weren't mounted on a bike. I was able to ride this product for almost 2 weeks and found it to be surprisingly nice.

Strengths:
ergonomic, sort of a combination of some of the flavors of Campy, SRAM, and Shimano. The bottom button shifted crisply and smoothly, liked the little rubberized touch on it. The downshift from the hoods was great, you just angle your index finger and use your knuckle to tap it down. This will be a great product for cyclocross. Felt pretty decent in the drops, but see below for minor issue. I'd definitely race on this item and it won out for me in how crisp it shifted.

Weaknesses:
a little awkward to shift from the drops, but that depends upon your body, the handlebars used, and the placement of the item. Can feel a little awkward on the upshift, the swing is extensive

Similar Products Used:
Campy Record Ergo
Shimano Dura ACE STI
SRAM Rival