re friction shifting--for the front its great, quiet, exact etc, but I just don't get why folks even consider friction for the rear. I mean, from a reliability, properly working aspect,
When the indexing went out on my LHT rear bar end shifter, I switched it over to friction to get by until I could change it. I was surprised at how nicely it shifter a 9 speed. I did grow up with friction shifting though. I found I preferred friction on the LHT better than the indexing, so I bought and installed the Silvers from Rivendell. I love them and have happily toured on them, and used it around town. I have no issues using friction with the 9 speed. It is much nicer than the indexed shifters I had, for my purposes.