Ultegra ST-RS685 LH Shifter Operation

[Bolt]

I've just taken ownership of a bike fitted with Ultegra ST-RS685 shifters.  They're working beautifully but I have noticed that there seems to be 3 distinct shift movements on the LH lever.  Firstly there's the small "trim" shift from the big ring, then a second shift that puts the chain on the inner ring then a 3rd shift that puts the FD fully over to the left.  I'm guessing this is normal but I'm not sure why??

[grams]

See page 20 here:
https://si.shimano.com/pdfs/dm/DM-RAFD001-04-ENG.pdf

It’s an admission that it’s impossible to build an indexed mechanical front mech that shifts reliability *and* never rubs.

[Bolt]

Thanks Grams, that explains it

[Brucey]

this might be helpful too

https://forum.cyclinguk.org/viewtopic.php?t=124598

but some of the picture links seem to be broken.

cheers

[Bolt]

Thanks Brucey, that is very useful and explains my frustration in setting up road indexed fds in the past and indeed the current trend towards 1 x drive trains.