Indexed vs Friction Shifters
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#253
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Originally Posted by Spurius Maledictus Obfuscus
De gustibus non disputandum est, nisi in cursoriam forums.
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#254
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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.
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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 .......
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#258
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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.
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No. If you find it pejorative, that could be the point.
Last edited by njkayaker; 06-10-23 at 07:37 AM.
#260
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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.
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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
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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).
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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!
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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.
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#268
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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.
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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.
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...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.
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#272
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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.
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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).
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#274
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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.
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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.