CTony

Would like know if anyone are using such shifters. pictures?.I would like to install one a motobecane Pantin maybe 70s made.Thank you

zukahn1 

I wouldn't install one on a 70's bike just doesn't go with the bike also most are the older seat tube diameter 26.5 outside and wont't fit a mid 70's Moto with 27.0.

CTony

Ok Thank you

branko_76 

What are "suicide shifters" ?

Salamandrine 

That's what I'm wondering. I heard this a couple years back as a reference to downtube shifters. Historically it was more likely to refer to the old rod shifted front derailleurs.

If letting go of your handlebars for a second to shift is akin to suicide, it's time to work on your bike handling...

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...rs-really.html

branko_76 

I see.

I've never used anything but shifters mounted on the downtube. I don't recall having to look at them to shift.

branko_76 

I guess this is the original "suicide shifter", wondering if this is what the op is referring to?

Salamandrine 

I know right? Exactly. No one looks at them, at least not after a few rides. If anything I might look a lot farther back to verify what cog I'm in. I do that even on my current brifter bike. That is even more suicidal...

Salamandrine 

Maybe, let's hope. They were out by the 70s, but if the OP wants to put one on a 70s bike, why not?

I don't think seat tube sizes changed significantly between the 30s and the early 90s, and if they did there's always shims.

branko_76 

Are you referring to the type of shifter in post #7 ?

branko_76 

I had a Falcon from the early 1970's that had similar gearing as the photo, something like 52 and 49 for the chainrings. I don't see why that shfter can't be used on a bike from that era.

CTony

Ok,Now where can I get one

63rickert

You get them from French ebay, assuming delivery services still cross the pond. (Anyone know how shipping has been going?) American prices much higher. Search on both “suicide” and on “levier”. The Huret on my Bates needed about ten seconds of help to work with a larger than French seat tube. Traditionalists very well might have used a rod operated shifter into 1970s. It does take a moment to reach down, the action is very positive and intuitive. Learning curve is about zero, it just works.

Duke7777

I have these on a few bikes, mostly French ones from the 40s and 50s. They look neat and shift well, although the long reach down does take some getting used to. My favorite is the Simplex Competition, as it shifts the best and has the widest range of adjustment. I have found that the Huret sometimes won't have quite enough cage travel. Most of these rod shifters were made to fit a 28.0 (French) seat tube, so there should be no problem on a 70s French bike. You also want to make sure that the cage extends down far enough to handle your small chainring. I typically run something like 32-46 on the front of these bikes, and the Simplex can handle this fine. These shifters are fairly readily available on ebay.fr, but they aren't cheap and the shipping is expensive too. Sometimes a bargain can be found if you are patient.

Early 50s Metropole racer. The band and the knob were both missing so I made new ones out of aluminum:


Early 50s Blondin racer. This Simplex shifter was actually made in Italy:

Late 40s Alleluia 650B randoneuse with original Huret shifter. The location of the brazed-on mounting bracket is not ideal for this small of an outer ring. A chainguard can be fitted to the threaded hole in the pivot pin:


Late 40s LeGreves racer, although the shifer is from the late 50s (with the plastic knob):