Downtube Shifters

[velomaniac]

Does anyone prefer them over other shifting options ?
Personally I love the brutally simplistic system especially in friction only mode. What are your favorite downtube shifters if you have one ?

 

[pigman]

Re:

6400 tricolours 7 speed. Work just great.
For friction shifters, suntour ratchet spring (don't know the proper name, but they have a light action to pull the cable, but don't slip) - either down tube or barcon versions

 

[widowmaker]

Re:

2 of my 3 roadbikes have them, I like them especially as I am not very mechanically skilled. Easy to set up and replace cables.

And in indexed mode my 105 set up work well, and if there are adjustment issues just plonk them in friction.

And they are lighter too

 

[Jonny69]

I prefer them in as much as I think brifters spoil the lines on a classic frame with skinny tubes. Old bikes look better with downtube shifters, less front-heavy, less cable mess.

I have had downtube shifters on all of my geared bikes, ridden brifters a couple of times but never actually owned any. Mine are always indexed these days. No thought needed, well adjusted, just click and shift and forget about it. I can deal with non-indexed for a 5-speed, but not for commuting. 6 and up works really well as indexed.

 

[tpjm191]

Re:

Do you mean Simplex/Mavic retrofriction levers?

fantastic levers - I think I still have a pair somewhere.

Interesting article below about them


http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/co ... nents.html

 

[glpinxit]

Suntour Power Shifters. Similar to retrofriction- a ratchet disengaged the friction when pulling in cable against the spring tension in the derailleur.

 

[torqueless]

Re:

fantastic levers - I think I still have a pair somewhere.

You do realise what you are saying there?

I have some too, but I know where they are. They were on my bike- for thirty-five years- and would be still if I hadn't become disillusioned with derailleurs..

 

[KermitGKona88]

Re:

I always loved the Retrofriction levers, but recently I picked up a pair of 'Holy Grail' levers, I.C.S. Record Campagnolo levers......

http://velobase.com/ViewComponent.aspx? ... AbsPos=115

 

[dirttorpedo]

Re:

While I like the clean look and simplicity of downtube friction shifters, I'm not a huge fan of them ergonomically. Maybe its because I'm not as flexible as I once was. I do agree that brifters tend to look a bit silly on vintage bikes. I'm tempted to mount some bar ends on my vintage bikes to improve the ergonomics, but I'm a bit torn as they'll bugger up the authenticity and clutter up the front end with more cable housing.