Indexed vs Friction Shifters
#251
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,253
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6495 Post(s)
Liked 10,141 Times
in
4,344 Posts
Likes For Koyote:
#252
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,187
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3429 Post(s)
Liked 6,214 Times
in
2,510 Posts
#253
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,260
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 300 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25347 Post(s)
Liked 9,262 Times
in
6,450 Posts
...
Originally Posted by Spurius Maledictus Obfuscus
De gustibus non disputandum est, nisi in cursoriam forums.
__________________
#254
Newbie
Thread Starter
It went well, I bought a Bridgestone Kabuki with stem friction shifters. I don’t think the friction vs indexed difference is huge, indexed is definitely more convenient and I don’t love the stem placement on my bike but a bike is a bike and I’m glad to be riding again.
Likes For L26:
#255
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 14,995
Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE
Mentioned: 143 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7368 Post(s)
Liked 2,988 Times
in
1,599 Posts
#256
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 14,995
Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE
Mentioned: 143 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7368 Post(s)
Liked 2,988 Times
in
1,599 Posts
By the way ... no one said there were trolls or sock puppets in This thread .... just that "the new norm" attracted them ..... and one could ask how anyone determines what is the "new" norm (or "weird") versus "the "obsolete" or "archaic" norm .......
#257
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 14,995
Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE
Mentioned: 143 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7368 Post(s)
Liked 2,988 Times
in
1,599 Posts
#258
cowboy, steel horse, etc
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The hot spot.
Posts: 42,674
Bikes: everywhere
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11217 Post(s)
Liked 6,188 Times
in
3,241 Posts
Stem shifting is definitely one of the most uncomfortable for me, just behind top-tube mounted shifters and rod-actuated derailleurs with the levers along chainstay and seattube.
#259
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Posts: 13,998
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4067 Post(s)
Liked 1,182 Times
in
837 Posts

No. If you find it pejorative, that could be the point.
Last edited by njkayaker; 06-10-23 at 07:37 AM.
#260
Cheerfully low end
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,801
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 581 Post(s)
Liked 936 Times
in
596 Posts
I don’t really love the stem placement either, but it’s way better than down tube shifters with more upright bars because it is a much safer reach. Bar ends are more accessible and easier but also much more vulnerable to damage. Glad it works ok for you too.
Otto
Last edited by ofajen; 06-10-23 at 09:02 AM.
#261
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 14,995
Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE
Mentioned: 143 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7368 Post(s)
Liked 2,988 Times
in
1,599 Posts
Mr. Irony talking about the point ..... no need to dodge it went right past already.
Anyway ... thanks for all you've added.
I hope you kayak in southern or southwestern New Jersey. Or maybe there is some great boating in Newark .... flaming rivers of industrial waste deter the rats from swimming out to eat the floating bodies and such ... but i have done some nice hikes further southwest. Not while carrying a kayak, though.
Anyway ... thanks for all you've added.
I hope you kayak in southern or southwestern New Jersey. Or maybe there is some great boating in Newark .... flaming rivers of industrial waste deter the rats from swimming out to eat the floating bodies and such ... but i have done some nice hikes further southwest. Not while carrying a kayak, though.
#262
Junior Member
These two photos show what my tourer ended up like after I discovered that indexed shifters weren't generally compatible with drop handlebars.

I installed a secondary handlebar on the headset stem (with shims) in order to fit indexed trigger shifters. These are a delight to use, and always at my fingertips. When I'm on the drops I'm in top gear and so don't need to shift.

The secondary brakes mean that one can safely ride on the tops. They're far superior to suicide levers (which I used to have).

I installed a secondary handlebar on the headset stem (with shims) in order to fit indexed trigger shifters. These are a delight to use, and always at my fingertips. When I'm on the drops I'm in top gear and so don't need to shift.

The secondary brakes mean that one can safely ride on the tops. They're far superior to suicide levers (which I used to have).
#263
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 4,453
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2667 Post(s)
Liked 2,202 Times
in
1,335 Posts

Likes For smd4:
#264
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,253
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6495 Post(s)
Liked 10,141 Times
in
4,344 Posts
#265
Doesn't brain good.
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 2,672
Bikes: 5 good ones, and the occasional project.
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1522 Post(s)
Liked 1,268 Times
in
731 Posts
I think he means mountain shifters not being compatible with road handlebars.
I say he's pretty resourceful for using a stem just for the stubs that are the right diameter for a mountain shifter clamp.
Bravo!
I say he's pretty resourceful for using a stem just for the stubs that are the right diameter for a mountain shifter clamp.
Bravo!
__________________
I shouldn't have to "make myself more visible;" Drivers should just stop running people over.
Car dependency is a tax.
I shouldn't have to "make myself more visible;" Drivers should just stop running people over.
Car dependency is a tax.
#266
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,260
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 300 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25347 Post(s)
Liked 9,262 Times
in
6,450 Posts


__________________
Likes For 3alarmer:
#268
Junior Member
1) Although you can get drop handlebars in 22mm diameter, they are rare and aren't as wide as the touring ones I had. And I didn't want to remount all my 24mm dia brakes with shims.
2) I could not find any trigger shifters at 24mm diameter (to fit alongside my secondary brakes).
3) It was much easier to get shim, bar clamp, and cheap 5cm riser bar of 22mm diameter, saw it short, and fit 22mm diameter shifters.
4) It works, and works well.
Likes For Xavier65:
#269
Mother Nature's Son
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sussex County, Delaware
Posts: 2,921
Bikes: 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 779 Post(s)
Liked 1,247 Times
in
717 Posts
That is a lot of clutter up front. As long as it works for the rider, all good.
Another note: I now have a few hundred miles on my 1 X, 11 speed, using bar end levers in friction mode, Ultegra 6400. I missed 3 shifts in those miles, once shifting 2 gears down, and twice having to slightly engage the lever to get the gear right. None of those have been in the last 100 miles, at least. Short lever travel, and clean, quick shifts. And the entire Porteur handlebar is open for hand positions. As stated in the above post; it works, and works well. As long as I have the bike, that set up will remain.
Another note: I now have a few hundred miles on my 1 X, 11 speed, using bar end levers in friction mode, Ultegra 6400. I missed 3 shifts in those miles, once shifting 2 gears down, and twice having to slightly engage the lever to get the gear right. None of those have been in the last 100 miles, at least. Short lever travel, and clean, quick shifts. And the entire Porteur handlebar is open for hand positions. As stated in the above post; it works, and works well. As long as I have the bike, that set up will remain.
#270
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,187
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3429 Post(s)
Liked 6,214 Times
in
2,510 Posts
#271
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,260
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 300 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25347 Post(s)
Liked 9,262 Times
in
6,450 Posts
.
...I just reached down with my right hand, along he seat tube. And there it was.
...I just reached down with my right hand, along he seat tube. And there it was.
__________________
Likes For 3alarmer:
#272
Junior Member
So, I could have said that friction shifters were going the way of rod shifters.
No doubt someone will claim that rod shifters are even superior to friction shifters, because they have no cables to fray, rust, stretch, or slip, and so never go out of alignment, and have 100% positive engagement and feedback.
#273
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 6,264
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3187 Post(s)
Liked 3,483 Times
in
2,199 Posts
These two photos show what my tourer ended up like after I discovered that indexed shifters weren't generally compatible with drop handlebars.

I installed a secondary handlebar on the headset stem (with shims) in order to fit indexed trigger shifters. These are a delight to use, and always at my fingertips. When I'm on the drops I'm in top gear and so don't need to shift.

The secondary brakes mean that one can safely ride on the tops. They're far superior to suicide levers (which I used to have).

I installed a secondary handlebar on the headset stem (with shims) in order to fit indexed trigger shifters. These are a delight to use, and always at my fingertips. When I'm on the drops I'm in top gear and so don't need to shift.

The secondary brakes mean that one can safely ride on the tops. They're far superior to suicide levers (which I used to have).
Likes For PeteHski:
#274
Junior Member
Anyway, necessity is the mother of invention.
If I had been able to find 24mm dia 'clip-over' indexed trigger shifters, I would have bought them in a flash.
Maybe someone knows of them on sale somewhere today? I could then remove the contraption and make things much tidier.
#275
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 6,264
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3187 Post(s)
Liked 3,483 Times
in
2,199 Posts
What is 'BF'? Brute Force?
Anyway, necessity is the mother of invention.
If I had been able to find 24mm dia 'clip-over' indexed trigger shifters, I would have bought them in a flash.
Maybe someone knows of them on sale somewhere today? I could then remove the contraption and make things much tidier.
Anyway, necessity is the mother of invention.
If I had been able to find 24mm dia 'clip-over' indexed trigger shifters, I would have bought them in a flash.
Maybe someone knows of them on sale somewhere today? I could then remove the contraption and make things much tidier.
Honestly I'm lost for words with this setup. I'm afraid I can't help you there.