If the restraints of SRAM and Shimano’s shifter options are causing you problems, this customisable shifter from Vivo Sports may be the answer.
The Vivo F3 Shifter features a 3D-printed nylon body adorned with titanium hardware and aluminium internals.
Vivo has catered the F3 Shifter to riders looking for a small-batch, customisable shifter that is compatible with existing drivetrains.
The F3 Shifter is available in more than 300,000 configurations and is priced at $275, with additional upper paddles costing $15 and lower paddles $22.50.
Big-brand compatibility
Vivo Sports is the brainchild of John Calendrille, who has 30 years of experience designing for the bike industry, with time spent at TRP assisting on drivetrain projects.
Calendrille has now turned his attention to his own brand, developing the F3 Shifter for those who are looking for a high-end customisable alternative to SRAM and Shimano’s shifter options.
The Vivo F3 Shifter is available in 12-speed SRAM or Shimano cable-pull ratios and weighs 118g to 123g depending on which configuration you choose.
In the hand, Vivo’s Shifter F3 has a tactile shifting action that offers an audible click and enables you to pull or push the upper paddle to downshift – similar to Shimano shifters.
Custom-sized shifting
There are 14 different options for the upper paddle and 20 for the lower paddle, as well as 16 options for the housing, nine for the bar clamp and another nine for the cable tension adjuster.
That equates to 362,880 different combinations, without including the direct mounting options.
Vivo uses what it calls its Thumb Reach Rating (TRR) to indicate how close the lever sits to your thumb, with the higher ratings being nearer to the thumb than lower ratings.
Riders with smaller thumbs may consider a higher TRR rating because this lessens the reach to the lever.
Other variances in the lever designs include concavity or convexity, and the overall grip pattern.
The levers are 3D-printed like the F3 Shifter body. However, they feature glass reinforcement for increased definition, added traction and extra strength for durability.
Shift levers are easily swapped in or out, with a T10 Torx head bolt used to release the upper lever and a 2.5mm Allen head bolt for the lower lever.
Currently, there's little in the way of sizing information on Vivo’s website, with the brand saying it's happy to advise people individually on what the best shape levers may be for them.
