8/9 speed shifting problems with Suntour bar-cons
05-14-13, 11:25 AM
#1
rain dog
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8/9 speed shifting problems with Suntour bar-cons
I recently upgraded a wheelset on my main rider from 6 to 8 speed. On this bike, I'm using friction suntour barcons for shifting and they worked great with the 6 speed set up for a long time.
After upgrading to the 8 speed wheels, cassette, and chain, I find that it still shifts easily to different gears. Unfortunately, several times when I've been climbing hard up a hill with the new setup, it tends to upshift on its own at the worst possible time.
Has anyone had this problem? The shifts with the new chain and cassette are quick and silent, without the satisfying 'thunk' audio feedback of shifting the 6 speed. I know that the spacing is a little more narrow, so I'm wondering if it's just a lot harder to get it exactly centered on the gear.
Is this something I can expect to get better at with more practice, or are 8/9+ speed drivetrains too finicky for friction shifting with the stubby bar-con levers?
After upgrading to the 8 speed wheels, cassette, and chain, I find that it still shifts easily to different gears. Unfortunately, several times when I've been climbing hard up a hill with the new setup, it tends to upshift on its own at the worst possible time.
Has anyone had this problem? The shifts with the new chain and cassette are quick and silent, without the satisfying 'thunk' audio feedback of shifting the 6 speed. I know that the spacing is a little more narrow, so I'm wondering if it's just a lot harder to get it exactly centered on the gear.
Is this something I can expect to get better at with more practice, or are 8/9+ speed drivetrains too finicky for friction shifting with the stubby bar-con levers?
05-14-13, 11:41 AM
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Pricey but I'd get these bar cons as they're designed for what you are trying to do: https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...-shifters.html
05-14-13, 11:44 AM
#3
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If you have a Shimano SIS RD, I'd just get indexing shifters.
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05-14-13, 11:47 AM
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Check the tension on your shifter.
I find friction shifting on 8+ speeds to be finicky it may just take some getting used to.
I find friction shifting on 8+ speeds to be finicky it may just take some getting used to.
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05-14-13, 11:54 AM
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I've run friction on 9s and it works beautifully. Not finicky at all IMO.
05-14-13, 12:02 PM
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Another +1 for checking the tension. I've run them on 9s also without any issues.
05-15-13, 06:17 AM
#7
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What RD are you using?
05-15-13, 09:32 AM
#8
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I friction shift 9 speeds without any trouble. Did you replace the housing and cable? New housing is really stiff and shifts friction with much more precision than the old stuff; teflon lining and all that jazz is nice.
05-15-13, 09:46 AM
#9
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Are you maybe using old coil style housing, like for brake cables and old friction shifters? If so it may have just enough flex in it to cause ghost shifts on the more narrowly spaced 8 speed. Even though you're running friction shifters, try switching to indexed style compressionless housing.
