View Poll Results: I you could choose only one, would it be friction or index shifting?
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 109. You may not vote on this poll
Friction or Indexed Shifting Poll
02-26-11, 09:59 PM
#26
You gonna eat that?
One thing I do like is friction shifters mated to index-ready derailleurs and ramped cogs. Shifting tends to be more precise than with friction components, even if you drive them with friction shifters.
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02-26-11, 11:03 PM
#29
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I prefer Campy Ergo Brifters as my first choice, followed by Shimano's STI downtube shifters and Suntour's Acushift for the downtube. No Campy Syncro, bad. For friction, first choice Campagnolo Record C retro, Simplex Retro and everything else would be going back to the stone age. On the open road friction is great, very little shifting, except when there's ghost shifter unexpectedly when jumping on the pedals or going up a steep climb. So my vote of course is Index!
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02-27-11, 12:32 AM
#32
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When you have an index setup that works flawless, it's a beautiful thing. There's one less than you have to worry about when you ride agressively. With friction, you have to be constantly aware of over shifting and trimming so the drivetrain doesn't make any noise.
02-27-11, 01:19 AM
#33
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Friction - all my bikes have always been set up that way (and I'm set in my ways, for that matter).
I like trimming, but I love it when 8 times out of 10 I get that perfect, soft "ka-chunk" with no trim required.
Bliss!
DD
I like trimming, but I love it when 8 times out of 10 I get that perfect, soft "ka-chunk" with no trim required.
Bliss!
DD
02-27-11, 04:08 AM
#34
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Like a lot of folks here I like friction too,......but in the context of the OP (where I could only have one) I would have to go with index.
One of the bikes I train on has 'Shimano 600' friction (circa '85), and I love it. It is truly a 'set and forget' system. I dont have to worry about variables with it. If I ever over shift or undershift a tad, all I have to do is trim it.
But the other bike I have has Campy Record 'Syncro II' and it shifts beautifully also. Its a little bit more finicky than other index systems I've used, but if you know how to dial everything in, and use the right parts, it is index shifting at it's finest.
One of the bikes I train on has 'Shimano 600' friction (circa '85), and I love it. It is truly a 'set and forget' system. I dont have to worry about variables with it. If I ever over shift or undershift a tad, all I have to do is trim it.
But the other bike I have has Campy Record 'Syncro II' and it shifts beautifully also. Its a little bit more finicky than other index systems I've used, but if you know how to dial everything in, and use the right parts, it is index shifting at it's finest.
02-27-11, 06:02 AM
#35
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If you factor in the amount of extra time spent messing with indexed systems and how often I actually need to shift, I actually get quicker shifts with friction. At least for several years.
It's sort of like the old Italian sports car vs. new Honda thing. If you factor in the time you spend completing your journey on foot....
It's sort of like the old Italian sports car vs. new Honda thing. If you factor in the time you spend completing your journey on foot....
02-27-11, 06:33 AM
#36
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It's amazing how (some) people can't read a simple question, and give an answer to the question asked. There is no selection box to choose (both) it's one or the other (IF YOU COULD CHOOSE ONLY ONE)..........
02-27-11, 06:55 AM
#37
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THis is a really good post. I perfer index because trying to shift friction on some of the hills where I live is typically followed by a significant loss of speed. With index, that doesn't happen. However, as much as I like and prefer index, I have some bikes that I prefer to leave as friction. I'd like to try riding one of them in a club ride where the roads are relatively flat.
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02-27-11, 07:15 AM
#38
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Great points. All my old bikes are friction era & they are great rides. My one modern- ish bike gets the most time because it is the easiest to ride.
THis is a really good post. I perfer index because trying to shift friction on some of the hills where I live is typically followed by a significant loss of speed. With index, that doesn't happen. However, as much as I like and prefer index, I have some bikes that I prefer to leave as friction. I'd like to try riding one of them in a club ride where the roads are relatively flat.
02-27-11, 07:27 AM
#39
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I've never used indexed shifting so I know I don't like it.
("Let's give it to Mikey. He hates everything.")
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02-27-11, 07:38 AM
#40
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I like Shimano Fingertip shifters.
02-27-11, 09:06 AM
#42
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+1...if you're comparing DT shifters, yes...friction is my preference. In terms of convenience and smoothness, life doesn't get better than a set of Campy Ergos.
02-27-11, 09:37 AM
#43
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I voted "friction" because I assumed you're talking about derailleurs.
But I actually prefer IGH, which have to be indexed.
But I actually prefer IGH, which have to be indexed.
02-27-11, 09:45 AM
#44
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02-27-11, 10:00 AM
#45
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I'd call this a "troll poll"
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02-27-11, 10:10 AM
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02-27-11, 10:14 AM
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Let me put it this way: both of my daily riders are 9-speed, downtube, indexed. My trainer bike is 10speed ergo, and I'd rather that that one was downtube too. Friction is "no muss, no fuss"? Only if you never shift! (And I've been doing this long enough to remember when 5-speed friction was the only game in town)
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02-27-11, 10:22 AM
#49
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It does. The percentage is of the number of people who voted.
63 people voted. 38 said friction (38/63 = 0.603). 26 said indexed (26/63 = 0.413). You will also notice, there is one more vote than the number of voters (38+26=64). That's because I voted once on each option
63 people voted. 38 said friction (38/63 = 0.603). 26 said indexed (26/63 = 0.413). You will also notice, there is one more vote than the number of voters (38+26=64). That's because I voted once on each option
02-27-11, 10:24 AM
#50
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+1, pretty much sums up what I was going to say. I recently sold a 1989 Schwinn World Sport and it had Suntour Accushift 3040 on it. I replaced the original shift cables and housing, lubed everything, tensioned the cable just right and the thing was perfect, never would miss a shift. There was a lot of satisfaction in that. On the other hand, I have several friction-only bikes and don't mind them at all. My only experience with modern shifters on a road bike is my 2009 Gary Fisher, which has Tiagra shifters. I'll admit they are pretty awesome. They are dialed in just right and the shifting is seamless and nearly silent most of the time.