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Indexed vs Friction Shifters

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Old 06-09-23, 11:32 AM
  #226  
njkayaker
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Originally Posted by Eric F
I have two 11-speed bikes (these go to 11!) I can't even swap wheels between them. I don't care.
Feh. 12 (or 13) is the new 11.
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Old 06-09-23, 11:36 AM
  #227  
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Originally Posted by njkayaker
Feh. 12 (or 13) is the new 11.
I have a 12-speed bike, too. Its components aren't compatible with any of my other bikes, either....well, the seat is.
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Old 06-09-23, 11:37 AM
  #228  
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Originally Posted by njkayaker
A case can be made that "obsolete" isn't really correct. (SurferRosa failed to make that case.) "Niche" is a better word. Friction shifters are still being made and are still useful. They just aren't popular.

"Obsolete" is pejorative (unnecessary and unhelpful here), which is why its use twisted some people's knickers.
I would argue - indeed I DID argue - that whether it's pejorative is in the mind of the person hearing, rather than being inherent in the word. But then I'm a lover of a number of obsolete technologies.
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Old 06-09-23, 11:37 AM
  #229  
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Originally Posted by njkayaker
A case can be made that "obsolete" isn't really correct. (SurferRosa failed to make that case.) "Niche" is a better word. Friction shifters are still being made and are still useful. They just aren't popular.

"Obsolete" is pejorative (unnecessary and unhelpful here), which is why its use twisted some people's knickers.
I might agree had I used the word “obsolete” in isolation. But I qualified the obvious use cases in C&V and other niche applications. But he still got all butt-hurt about it anyway.
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Old 06-09-23, 11:37 AM
  #230  
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Originally Posted by njkayaker
A case can be made that "obsolete" isn't really correct. (SurferRosa failed to make that case.) "Niche" is a better word. Friction shifters are still being made and are still useful. They just aren't popular.

"Obsolete" is (somewhat) pejorative (unnecessary and unhelpful here). Which is why its use twisted some people's knickers.
I would suggest that "archaic" might be a good option, rather than "obsolete", when referring to friction shifters.
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Old 06-09-23, 11:39 AM
  #231  
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Originally Posted by Eric F
I would suggest that "archaic" might be a good option, rather than "obsolete", when referring to friction shifters.
Can we have archaic and eat it, too?
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Old 06-09-23, 11:40 AM
  #232  
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Originally Posted by Eric F
I would suggest that "archaic" might be a good option, rather than "obsolete", when referring to friction shifters.
No. They work fine for some current applications. "Archaic" also has a pejorative taint that isn't necessary or helpful here. "Niche" is the word people should be using.
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Old 06-09-23, 11:43 AM
  #233  
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Originally Posted by Eric F
I would suggest that "archaic" might be a good option, rather than "obsolete", when referring to friction shifters.
archaic: of or belonging to an ancient period in history

😂
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Old 06-09-23, 12:04 PM
  #234  
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I dunno. "Niche" sounds pretty damn precious, to me.
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Old 06-09-23, 12:07 PM
  #235  
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Originally Posted by genejockey
I dunno. "Niche" sounds pretty damn precious, to me.
Better "precious" (whatever that means) than pejorative.
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Old 06-09-23, 12:11 PM
  #236  
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Originally Posted by njkayaker
Better "precious" (whatever that means) than pejorative.
"Excessively refined, Affected". Used pejoratively.
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Old 06-09-23, 12:13 PM
  #237  
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Originally Posted by njkayaker
Better "precious" (whatever that means) than pejorative.
Judging from some of the posts here, that would be "My Preciousssss!"
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Old 06-09-23, 12:13 PM
  #238  
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Folks arguing with each other over the application of specific words is typically a pretty strong sign that useful discussion on the original topic has ended.
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Old 06-09-23, 12:13 PM
  #239  
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Originally Posted by njkayaker
I don't think they are trolling. "Trolls" is kind of a lazy criticism anyway. "Sock puppet" is a strong claim. Sort of something that one should have/provide some sort of evidence for.
Did I say this particular OP was trolling? No. I said the new weird as you yourself put it, is a fact that is preyed upon by trolls and sock puppets. That has been true in many cases. Some trolls are legitimate members, and others are sock puppets who take delight in what you call weird responses to thread questions.
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Old 06-09-23, 12:13 PM
  #240  
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I think of friction downtube shifters as being old school. I use them in part to keep faith with people whom I liked and respected and who taught me a long time ago about the ins and outs of riding in a pack, who taught me about gluing tubulars, and who taught me how to build a bike.
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Old 06-09-23, 12:14 PM
  #241  
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As a confirmed proponent of downtube friction, I'll side with those who favor "archaic." I used the term to describe myself, so why not my shifters?
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Old 06-09-23, 12:17 PM
  #242  
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Originally Posted by phughes
Did I say this particular OP was trolling? No. I said the new weird as you yourself put it, is a fact that is preyed upon by trolls and sock puppets. That has been true in many cases. Some trolls are legitimate members, and others are sock puppets who take delight in what you call weird responses to thread questions.
Seems less confusing to just stick to issues with this thread.
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Old 06-09-23, 12:19 PM
  #243  
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Originally Posted by njkayaker
Seems less confusing to just stick to this thread.
I literally quoted you, in this thread. Go back to arguing about the word, obsolete.
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Old 06-09-23, 12:27 PM
  #244  
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Originally Posted by phughes
Originally Posted by phughes
Originally Posted by phughes
Not weird, just the new norm here in General Cycling, a fact that is preyed upon by the new sock puppet trolls.
Did I say this particular OP was trolling? No. I said the new weird as you yourself put it, is a fact that is preyed upon by trolls and sock puppets. That has been true in many cases. Some trolls are legitimate members, and others are sock puppets who take delight in what you call weird responses to thread questions.
I literally quoted you, in this thread.
What the F are you talking about? I didn't say you said the OP was a troll.

Who are the "sock puppet trolls" in this thread? If there aren't any, why the heck are you talking about them?

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Old 06-09-23, 12:32 PM
  #245  
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Originally Posted by njkayaker
What the F are you talking about? Who are the "sock puppet trolls" in this thread? If there aren't any, why the heck are you talking about them?
OMG, I did. I quoted your comment regarding the weird responses, and simply said it is the new normal here, and that new normal is preyed upon by troll and sock puppet accounts. Now, that is a fact, and is was simply a response to your assertion that the responses are weird, as is the original question, in your own words. I never said, nor insinuated that anyone else mentioned sock puppets or trolls. Does that cover it, or should I throw in the word obsolete. No need to respond, and please don't. Your last two responses show me I really don't care to hear from you ever again. It's pointless, so... I will not be able to see them anymore. Carry on arguing with someone else.
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Old 06-09-23, 12:36 PM
  #246  
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Originally Posted by phughes
OMG, I did. I quoted your comment regarding the weird responses, and simply said it is the new normal here, and that new normal is preyed upon by troll and sock puppet accounts. Now, that is a fact, and is was simply a response to your assertion that the responses are weird, as is the original question, in your own words.
Who are the sock puppet trolls in this thread?

Originally Posted by phughes
I never said, nor insinuated that anyone else mentioned sock puppets or trolls. Does that cover it, or should I throw in the word obsolete. No need to respond, and please don't. Your last two responses show me I really don't care to hear from you ever again. It's pointless, so... I will not be able to see them anymore. Carry on arguing with someone else.
This is just plain stupid. You aren't making any sense.


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Old 06-09-23, 01:00 PM
  #247  
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Originally Posted by Eric F
Folks arguing with each other over the application of specific words is typically a pretty strong sign that useful discussion on the original topic has ended.
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Old 06-09-23, 01:07 PM
  #248  
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Originally Posted by L26
Just curious what people prefer around here. Seems like the benefits of frictions lie in replacability, simplicity and fine-control, whereas indexed shifters are typically considered easier to use as the ubiquitous "modern standard". I'm still new to all this though so correct me if I'm wrong. I haven't tried a friction shifter yet but will be doing so tomorrow, but I did try an STI shifter for the first time today, it was pretty cool so I'm curious how the old reliable friction shifter compares.

Anyways, just curious what people's thoughts are on shifters.
So OP, how did it go with the friction shifting?
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Old 06-09-23, 01:09 PM
  #249  
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Originally Posted by Eric F
Folks arguing with each other over the application of specific words is typically a pretty strong sign that useful discussion on the original topic has ended.
This thread started out not being a "useful discussion".
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Old 06-09-23, 01:19 PM
  #250  
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Originally Posted by njkayaker
This thread started out not being a "useful discussion".
LOL - Valid.
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