Downtube Shifters
#51
Clark W. Griswold
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Yes but the mention from Obeast was STI levers. That is why I focused on those. I also didn't mention the Di2 Levers which eliminate that problem and are fantastic.
However SRAM does have that annoying double tap which I do not like personally as I am just not sure if I have gone through the cassette or not as easily, however their lever shape is excellent. Campy I haven't spent a ton of time on so no real comment there and Microshift is ok but I haven't spent any time on their nice stuff just a little on the cheap stuff.
However SRAM does have that annoying double tap which I do not like personally as I am just not sure if I have gone through the cassette or not as easily, however their lever shape is excellent. Campy I haven't spent a ton of time on so no real comment there and Microshift is ok but I haven't spent any time on their nice stuff just a little on the cheap stuff.
#52
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Originally Posted by tomato soup
There's nothing wrong with down tube shifters, but there's also nothing that makes them glorious.
.
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#53
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Driving my old TR6 requires a similarly deliberate driving style, compared to my modern daily driver, because, fun as it is, the old beast’s braking and road-holding don’t hold a candle to those of a modern car, so you need to plan a little further ahead. I look at DTs in a similar way, although I indulge my nostalgia itch with cars, not bikes, much as I appreciate a classic bike
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Litespud Nice analogy, all my bikes except one are DT shifter, a bit more effort, just like my TR6. But very enjoyable.
Tim
Tim
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point made! That is beautiful and not overstated. There is just something about the Campy pebbly texture. For me, down tube shifting is natural. Anything else I have to think about it. If I am riding my Mondia with bar end shifters, I automatically reach down to shift for the first few miles! It’s ok I ride alone so nobody watching.
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On this subject, I recently sent a friend of mine a picture of my Colnago (down tube shifters of course) . He rides modern carbon bikes and actually raced for a few years. His reply was “nice bike, I hope you go to yoga regularly so you can shift that thing”. I guess it is what you are used to. I am definitely a bit ocd so change just never happened. DT shifting has been my “roll” since the early seventies and I have found no need to change.
#61
weapons-grade bolognium
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A.K.A. "Reach-Down Switchers"
#62
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#64
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Aside from not being able to shift while riding out of the saddle, they're not really at much of a disadvantage compared with other shifter types on road bikes. For double-shifting (shifting front and rear simultaneously), they can actually be pretty nice, since you can actuate both shifters with one arm movement. Overall I do prefer bar-end and integrated shifters, but it's not like I never ride my bike with downtube friction levers.
#65
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they are fine.
If you are REALLY racing, maybe 5% of your shifts would be speeded up with STI.
But they are reliable, cheap, easy to maintain, durable, period correct up to about 2002.
Win win win.
I've lived with them for 65,000 miles on my main bike, a 1999 GT something or other, aluminum frame and fork, 7 speed.
If you are REALLY racing, maybe 5% of your shifts would be speeded up with STI.
But they are reliable, cheap, easy to maintain, durable, period correct up to about 2002.
Win win win.
I've lived with them for 65,000 miles on my main bike, a 1999 GT something or other, aluminum frame and fork, 7 speed.
#66
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If you've got a French wine barrel for a belly and man-titties, they're impossible to use.
#67
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Very easy to use, and once you are used the feel of the shifting, it can be done entirely by feel and listening to the resulting sound of the drivetrain as it allows fine adjustment. Most of the time people have issues is that they want to look at the drivetrain while shifting to ensure they are in the right gear.
#68
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I think you're overlooking the time it takes to move your hand from the bars to the shifters, and then the time it takes to move them back to the bars. That additional time is not insignificant, and it makes STI shifters faster essentially 100% of the time.
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#69
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(Of course, the shifts that aren't anticipated can be very important!)
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Main ride has old school non-indexed Super Record downtube shifters and love them.
Immune to cable stretch issues unlike my other bikes with Shimano indexing that are good when finely tuned but unusable otherwise.
Immune to cable stretch issues unlike my other bikes with Shimano indexing that are good when finely tuned but unusable otherwise.
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#73
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Tweaking the barrel adjuster every few months eliminates that problem.
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I realize there's a bit of a 'let's honour tradition' thing about this, but as I recall my early bikes with DT friction shifters, all I can say is thank god for progress! To clarify my comment: that was in the '70's, I'm very short, and all my old bikes were too big for me, and having racing geometry -- a bit twitchy. I found that on shifting I was invariably dropping one shoulder and it affected my balance a bit. Didn't like the wobble. Don't miss it. Was really happy when Suntour saved me with inexpensive bar-end ratchets. And I think whoever invented the brake-shifter combination lever should get the Cycling Nobel!
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