Suntour BarCons vs Simplex Retrofriction Bar Ends
03-15-17, 06:33 PM
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Suntour BarCons vs Simplex Retrofriction Bar Ends
Is the Suntour a little better? I will likely never find out first hand since the Simplex is rare.
03-15-17, 07:25 PM
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Any time you can get "Retrofriction" with your shifters barcons or DT, the better the experience would be. Once you go Retrofriction, you will never look back!
The Simplex Retros are a much better/elegant/efficient design by a mile, IMO......
The Simplex Retros are a much better/elegant/efficient design by a mile, IMO......
03-15-17, 07:45 PM
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Following this discussion, as I will soon be switching the Suntour Barcons on my Gitane TdF to Simplex Retrofriction on the downtube.
03-15-17, 08:00 PM
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I have never tried retrofriction, but I have liked all of the SunTour barcons and downtube levers I have owned. The originals from my 1971 Nishiki Competition are still on my son's Peugeot.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
03-15-17, 09:01 PM
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I've only played with DT retrofriction levers on a handful of bikes that I've serviced (and usually test ridden after). I have to admit to no rainbows or angels singing... But I have used both DT (for a couple of years when young) and bar ended SunTour levers over a few tens of thousands of miles and think very highly of them. For bar end levers they are, IMO, the best. Far better then the Shimano counter sprung ones. I have a stash on ST bar end levers on my shelf that with a few other cherished parts won't be sold off till I die. Andy
03-15-17, 09:19 PM
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I recently replaced the stock Campy dt shifters on a bike with Retrofriction. They do have a really nice action, very light, but as someone remarked recently, the lever has to move farther per shift than most. It just takes a little getting used to.
I do like the Suntour shifters a lot, both for their robust functionality and for their no-nonsense Everyman aesthetics.
I do like the Suntour shifters a lot, both for their robust functionality and for their no-nonsense Everyman aesthetics.
03-15-17, 09:51 PM
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I know this is a bit off topic, I just bought a Nishiki Competition, love it to death, but was wondering about the brake lines. They come out the top, I bought my niece a bike where they come out the back....wasn't sure if it's a different style brake or if it's optional on each brake how you feed the line in.....I am sure it's a stupid question, but better I ask people who might know before I try to find out for myself.
03-15-17, 10:07 PM
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I love my Suntour Barcons. I also have early Shimano Barcons. I love them too. Never tried Retrofriction. Once you get the pull on friction shifters they all work well. The RD`s on the other hand.... LOL
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03-15-17, 10:27 PM
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03-15-17, 10:43 PM
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03-15-17, 10:50 PM
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Busted! Can't put a Retrofriction on a Barcon, but you can put it on a bar end pod!
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1970 Gitane TdF; 1973 Gitane TdF
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
03-16-17, 03:55 AM
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I wonder about putting a Simplex (Magic) retrofriction on a "Retroshift" set up. These are now called Gevenalle & come in silver or black. I used the Mavic retrofrictions on my Masi downtube brake-on bosses for years - they are fantastic. The holding power is set and forget & the fine clicks make friction shifting drama free. That said, I've spent the past 20 years as hobbyist mechanic cyclist exploring all things "index" including much in the realm of "Accushift".
03-16-17, 05:16 AM
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Neither one. Here's the ones you want - Shimano Fingertip Control:
VeloBase.com - Component: Shimano L-600 Fingertip Control Barcons
An internal spring perfectly balances the derailleur's spring. Beats SunTour Barcons hands down, IMHO. Every bit as pleasant to use as Simplex Retrofriction.
VeloBase.com - Component: Shimano L-600 Fingertip Control Barcons
An internal spring perfectly balances the derailleur's spring. Beats SunTour Barcons hands down, IMHO. Every bit as pleasant to use as Simplex Retrofriction.
03-16-17, 05:42 AM
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I have both. I prefer the Simplex bar end retrofriction shifters by far over the Barcons. Friction shifters shouldn't click.
03-16-17, 06:03 AM
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I'm really accustomed to downtube shifting, my mainstay for over 30 years, but I'd be willing to try that.
Also, I know that a lot of people rave about the Suntour barcons (and I'm a bit of a Suntour fanboy), but I find that I don't really like them that much.
Also, I know that a lot of people rave about the Suntour barcons (and I'm a bit of a Suntour fanboy), but I find that I don't really like them that much.
03-16-17, 06:19 AM
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Neither one. Here's the ones you want - Shimano Fingertip Control:
VeloBase.com - Component: Shimano L-600 Fingertip Control Barcons
An internal spring perfectly balances the derailleur's spring. Beats SunTour Barcons hands down, IMHO. Every bit as pleasant to use as Simplex Retrofriction.
VeloBase.com - Component: Shimano L-600 Fingertip Control Barcons
An internal spring perfectly balances the derailleur's spring. Beats SunTour Barcons hands down, IMHO. Every bit as pleasant to use as Simplex Retrofriction.
03-16-17, 07:43 AM
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03-16-17, 08:14 AM
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Neither one. Here's the ones you want - Shimano Fingertip Control:
VeloBase.com - Component: Shimano L-600 Fingertip Control Barcons
An internal spring perfectly balances the derailleur's spring. Beats SunTour Barcons hands down, IMHO. Every bit as pleasant to use as Simplex Retrofriction.
VeloBase.com - Component: Shimano L-600 Fingertip Control Barcons
An internal spring perfectly balances the derailleur's spring. Beats SunTour Barcons hands down, IMHO. Every bit as pleasant to use as Simplex Retrofriction.
03-16-17, 09:19 AM
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When the small difference in force needed to shift a SunTour barcon becomes an issue for me, I would need to give up cycling.
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03-16-17, 10:48 AM
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Shimano Fingertip Control - the best kept secret in vintage parts. I should probably get some spares. I've got a set that's been in continuous use since 1975, currently shifting modern Campagnolo derailleurs. They work perfectly with whatever you pair them with.
Last edited by SuperLJ; 03-16-17 at 10:52 AM.
03-16-17, 11:07 AM
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Maybe because I play the violin so I don't need clicks like I don't need frets......or indexing.....