Info on SIS downtube shifters?
#1
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Info on SIS downtube shifters?
I’d like to install 7 speed indexed shifting with downtube shifting on my 1973 bike with either a 7 speed freewheel or my current Ultra-6. The bike needs shifters with a clamp, since there are no useful braze-ons on the frame. I'm pretty sure my Suntour V-GT has enough range to handle the 7th cog.
What’s this group’s experience with the Sunrace SLR30 shifters? They can be seen at SunRace | SLR30.
I’d like to use Shimano parts, but I’ve found only one set of shifters with clamps, and it's ambiguous whether that's for 6 or 7 speed freewheels. (Velobase is ambiguous. I've got a query out to the seller.) I’ve got some Campagnolo shifters from the ‘80s. Will the Shimano shifters for braze-ons fit on the Campagnolo band (yes, no, maybe)?
Any thoughts on new Sunrace shifters vs. used Shimano?
Thanks in advance.
What’s this group’s experience with the Sunrace SLR30 shifters? They can be seen at SunRace | SLR30.
I’d like to use Shimano parts, but I’ve found only one set of shifters with clamps, and it's ambiguous whether that's for 6 or 7 speed freewheels. (Velobase is ambiguous. I've got a query out to the seller.) I’ve got some Campagnolo shifters from the ‘80s. Will the Shimano shifters for braze-ons fit on the Campagnolo band (yes, no, maybe)?
Any thoughts on new Sunrace shifters vs. used Shimano?
Thanks in advance.
#2
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If you decide what you need is a nice clamp on set of Shimano indexed downtube shifters for a Shimano 7 speed cassette/freewheel, shoot me a PM.
I have what you need, turnkey.
I have what you need, turnkey.
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I’d like to install 7 speed indexed shifting with downtube shifting on my 1973 bike with either a 7 speed freewheel or my current Ultra-6. The bike needs shifters with a clamp, since there are no useful braze-ons on the frame. I'm pretty sure my Suntour V-GT has enough range to handle the 7th cog.
If you intend to use friction shifting with the V-GT derailleur, don't even bother with an SIS shifter. Just get some decent friction shifters like the SunTour "Power Shifters" that were intended to be used with the V-GT derailleur in the first place.
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Ultra 6 is a specific to SunTour design. "ultra six" is a generic reference to a 6 speed cog set with less then the usual 5 speed cog to cog spacing. SunTour cog spacing, back then, wasn't consistent across the cogs so Shimano indexing which is designed around the same c-c spacing for all the gaps wasn't intended to be compatible. Now with enough wear/slop and and looking the other way some cogs might index OK... Andy
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I used a set of Sunrace clamp-on indexed shifters for about a year on a vintage bike conversion, with a Shimano cassette and RD. It worked for casual riding but it was a little painful. Lots of "looking the other way" as Andrew says above.
I eventually salvaged some Shimano brifters.
I eventually salvaged some Shimano brifters.
#7
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Closing the loop: I bought a Sunrace SLR80 8-speed downtube shifter to go with a Shimano 7-speed freewheel and my V-GT rder. Even with the 0.2 mm narrower 8-speed spacing, the only problem I've found is that if I shift with very light pressure on the pedal, the shift may not occur. If I put a few lbs of pressure, the shifts are fine for this old and slow rider. The shifts are positive. They're also loud (they sound loud to me even though I don't wear my hearing aids while riding). I'm very happy with the combo for now, though I'm looking for a good, cheap 7 speed rder. Not Brifters - too pricey for me.
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The Shimano SL-S434 is a good shifter to use for conversions like this. The levers come on a band-mount so you can use it on a bike that doesn't have braze-ons. While they came in either 6- or 7-sp versions, they also have a friction mode that's really more of a 'micro ratchet' with lots of tiny 'clicks'
I tried a bunch of times to get my V-GT to work in index mode, with a 6-sp Shimano FW; I could get it to play nice for 3 gears, 'maybe' shift on to a 4th, and 'Heck No' for anything above that, especially the 34t MegaRange
Running a modern chain (KMC-Z51) and the modern FW still produces nice, smooth shifts, even in friction mode.
I tried a bunch of times to get my V-GT to work in index mode, with a 6-sp Shimano FW; I could get it to play nice for 3 gears, 'maybe' shift on to a 4th, and 'Heck No' for anything above that, especially the 34t MegaRange
Running a modern chain (KMC-Z51) and the modern FW still produces nice, smooth shifts, even in friction mode.
Last edited by Ironfish653; 08-31-19 at 08:28 PM.
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