Will any friction downtube shifters work with 9-speed cassette?
09-17-20, 10:42 AM
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Will any friction downtube shifters work with 9-speed cassette?
I'm putting a bike together that will be using downtube shifters. My title sort if says it all... Can I buy any set of old downtube levers from eBay and use them with a 9-speed cassette? Do older levers that were originally for 7-speed or less not have enough range to reach all the cogs on an 8, 9 or 10-speed cassette?
Last edited by Yung Piss; 09-17-20 at 12:00 PM.
09-17-20, 10:56 AM
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Friction shifters will shift anything.
09-17-20, 11:03 AM
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Yes. The only potential exception is Sram 1:1 ratio derailleurs, which may require more cable pull to cross the whole cassette than some shifters can accommodate.
I have a 9 sp cassette and chain, and a Shimano 9 sp rear derailleur connected to a 7 sp bar end shifter set to 'friction' mode. It works perfectly 100% of the time. I might switch to indexed 9 speed shifters at some point, but there is no urgent need.
I have a 9 sp cassette and chain, and a Shimano 9 sp rear derailleur connected to a 7 sp bar end shifter set to 'friction' mode. It works perfectly 100% of the time. I might switch to indexed 9 speed shifters at some point, but there is no urgent need.
09-17-20, 11:31 AM
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Generally speaking, yes, almost any older friction shifter will move across a larger 8-9-10 speed cassette.
I would caution against using some of the 70’s friction shifters with smaller barrels, however. Originally intended for five speed and may not be able to'pull enough cable.
I have some older Suntour friction shifters and the barrel is noticably smaller than the Shimano 6207’s that are my faves.
I would caution against using some of the 70’s friction shifters with smaller barrels, however. Originally intended for five speed and may not be able to'pull enough cable.
I have some older Suntour friction shifters and the barrel is noticably smaller than the Shimano 6207’s that are my faves.
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09-17-20, 11:40 AM
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I have 9-speed DA downtube shifters but when I put them in friction mode they won't hold the gear and the derailleur creeps and eventually upshifts.
They work great in index mode. The friction tightening thing is a regular screw and I really cranked down on it and it just won't tighten enough.
I recommend looking for shifters that have the ratcheting feature for extra hold.
They work great in index mode. The friction tightening thing is a regular screw and I really cranked down on it and it just won't tighten enough.
I recommend looking for shifters that have the ratcheting feature for extra hold.
09-17-20, 12:18 PM
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I use a SunTour Superbe DT friction on my 9-speed. It has a relatively small drum diameter so it is folded all the way back in low gear but it shifts beautifully.
09-17-20, 02:03 PM
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I'm putting a bike together that will be using downtube shifters. My title sort if says it all... Can I buy any set of old downtube levers from eBay and use them with a 9-speed cassette? Do older levers that were originally for 7-speed or less not have enough range to reach all the cogs on an 8, 9 or 10-speed cassette?
Maybe if you can find a good set of friction shifters you can make it work, but given the amount of NOS 9-speed parts still on ebay, I would just go for the indexed version.
