Simplex retrofriction problem
07-09-22, 07:51 PM
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Simplex retrofriction problem
The steel clamp-on band for my Simplex retrofriction shifters broke the last time I removed them from a frame. That kind of sucked, but I figured I would just mount the levers on a spare Simplex Criterium band, or else mount them directly to a frame with brazed-on studs. Well, it turns out that the diameter of the mounting holes of the shifters is too small for either option. What were they thinking? I thought these things were compatible with standard shifter mounts because I have seen photos of them on all kinds of bikes. I'm thinking it's not going to be easy to find another mounting band with small diameter studs, but I'm also hesitant to drill them out to standard diameter. Any ideas?
07-09-22, 08:05 PM
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The levers that were mounted on band clamps at the factory were different, as you have found.
Perhaps some other band clamp might be made to be compatible, or maybe they would fit on older Shimano frame studs?
Last recourse, might be useful for parts, for where a clamp-on retrofriction shifter got bent/broken, or failed internally(.?)
Perhaps some other band clamp might be made to be compatible, or maybe they would fit on older Shimano frame studs?
Last recourse, might be useful for parts, for where a clamp-on retrofriction shifter got bent/broken, or failed internally(.?)
07-10-22, 03:32 AM
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As do the springs - which are a part that might break, so yes keep. Keep EVERYTHING. (That's one of the rules, always keep all the parts.)
Depending on where the band is broken it might be an easy braze or silver-solder fix. Pic?
07-10-22, 04:40 AM
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kroozer Can't help with your dilemma, but I can sympathize. I have one that broke on installation. I think it was (nearly) new. 
I eventually found a clamp somewhere (eBay probably), so I was able to actually use the levers.
It seems these bands weren't very high quality parts. I wonder if they were also produced either in two versions (metric and English) *or* in one version which split the difference.
I eventually found a clamp somewhere (eBay probably), so I was able to actually use the levers.It seems these bands weren't very high quality parts. I wonder if they were also produced either in two versions (metric and English) *or* in one version which split the difference.
07-10-22, 06:04 AM
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There is a thread here somewhere that does a deep dive on the parts differences with Retrofrictions, as well as some suggested solutions (IIRC involving drilling/reaming/tapping......).
You could try Wayne Bingham (veloclassique@gmail.com) for a band- he had what I needed to resuscitate 2 pairs of Retrofrictions I got on eBay that were missing all kinds of internal bits....
You could try Wayne Bingham (veloclassique@gmail.com) for a band- he had what I needed to resuscitate 2 pairs of Retrofrictions I got on eBay that were missing all kinds of internal bits....
07-10-22, 01:37 PM
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Thanks for the ideas, I'll try to get a hold of Wayne. I tossed out the broken clamp, although now I'm going to comb through the wastebasket to see if it's still here.
07-11-22, 09:05 AM
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Try surfing picclick.fr, eBay France, for some replacements. Several years ago, Wayne Bingham, Velo Classique, rebuilt several pair of frame mounted with new springs. Good luck.
07-11-22, 09:36 AM
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Regarding compatibility, are the Simplex Retrofriction bosses different than plain old vanilla Simplex bosses? I see plenty of "colliers manettes Simplex" on ebay.fr, most single lever for some reason, but also not for much dough (sans livraison).
07-11-22, 10:46 AM
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Regarding compatibility, are the Simplex Retrofriction bosses different than plain old vanilla Simplex bosses? I see plenty of "colliers manettes Simplex" on ebay.fr, most single lever for some reason, but also not for much dough (sans livraison).
07-12-22, 12:59 PM
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The steel clamp-on band for my Simplex retrofriction shifters broke the last time I removed them from a frame. That kind of sucked, but I figured I would just mount the levers on a spare Simplex Criterium band, or else mount them directly to a frame with brazed-on studs. Well, it turns out that the diameter of the mounting holes of the shifters is too small for either option. What were they thinking? I thought these things were compatible with standard shifter mounts because I have seen photos of them on all kinds of bikes. I'm thinking it's not going to be easy to find another mounting band with small diameter studs, but I'm also hesitant to drill them out to standard diameter. Any ideas?
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...aze-clamp.html
