verktyg 

microSHIFT 8 Speed Down Tube Shifters.




Anyone have experience with these?

All the reviews I've found about the microSHIFT 8-9-10 Speed down tube shifters are 3 to 5 years old.

My concern is what appears to be aluminum mounting screws. Over time those screws need to be re-tightened and I don't get a want fuzzy about aluminum mounting screws. (1st generation Sumtour Cyclone levers for example)

I'm putting together a new bike with NOS 11-30T 8 speed Shimano cassette and a compatible new RD.

I have a NOS set of 8 speed DuraAce levers but I want to try something different ( I want to save them for another build).

verktyg

Kuromori

I don't know about the Microshift ones, but Shimano SL-R400 and Sunrace DT shifters can be had for around the same price.

nesteel 

A tiny wrap of teflon pipe tape does wonders.

RiddleOfSteel

Another vote for the economically-priced, nice-looking, and extremely-proven R400 levers. It'll reliably function and last for a billion years, and not (to me) look like re-purposed bar-end shifters.

verktyg 

I have a bunch of Shimano shifters but I was thinking that the black plastic lever covers would look nice on my new build with all black components... Vanity!

@RiddleOfSteel Thanks for pointing out that they "look like re-purposed bar-end shifters".

Work in progress... The aluminum seatpost is just to hold it in the stand. I have a black seatpost, saddle, FD, brake levers, hoods etc. to go with the "matchy-matchy look.



@nesteel The screws appear to be steel, it's the hex in what look like aluminum caps that concern me fro cosmetic reasons.

verktyg

RiddleOfSteel

@verktyg I think if there wasn't that kink from the silver to the black portion (of the left lever), then both levers would match/mirror each other, and then it would look slick and be a viable aesthetic alternative to Shimano and Sunrace. I completely understand the desire to have the black there (I would too!)--your Litton is looking spectacular. The black plays off the lighter blue perfectly, with the silver and tan playing supporting roles. Drillium on the chain ring is a perfect accent. Can't wait to see it complete!

verktyg 

Thanks, after reading your comment, I was thinking that the levers look a little short for the down tube like maybe thumbies.

As far as the frame is concerned, I'd been stopping by to see Ed Litton since the 1980's when he and Albert Eisentraut were partners in Oakland. He's painted 3 frames for me, aligned a bunch that I couldn't do easily for myself and done several repairs.



We'd talked about him building me a frame for years.

I retired back in January and had a little mad money so I stopped by Ed's shop to check out this frame that I'd seen hanging on the wall. Turns out he'd built it on spec for someone who didn't take it.

The frame had been stored for a while. It was my perfect size so I took it. (56cm C-T, 55cm top tube, 73° head tube, 75° seat tube, 40mm rake with a 100cm wheel base)

This is closer to the actual blue color.



It's built from a blend of Columbus SL and Tange Prestige tubing.

I'm chompin' at the bit to get it finished and ride it.

verktyg

Kuromori

My recollection is that SL-R400 is black, or at least much closer to black than Shimano gray found on some of their barends.

Salamandrine 

I have the 9 speed bar end version of those shifters on my Clem. They are about 3 years old now and I've had no problems. I don't think that bolt is aluminum. If I had to guess I'd say it's satin finished stainless steel.

Eric S.

I have microSHIFT bar ends on 4 bikes, three 9sp and one 10sp. I run them with the rear on the handlebar and the front on the DT so I can use a bar end mirror. Perfectly good quality and I like that they can mount to the DT without any adapter.

matchy99

As Eric above says....perfect quality and very smooth and accurate shifts. Another benefit of the bar end version is they can be mounted as thumb shifters with MicroSHIFT (road) thumbies.

https://www.universalcycles.com/shop....php?id=106560

Also, looking at the shifter schematics, shifters are convertible to different speeds if you buy the appropriate index shifter disc. For example 9spd can be converted to 10spd spacing by changing a disc sold separately.

https://www.universalcycles.com/shop....php?id=101689

arex

I have the bar-end version of these that I just put on a Miyata. They seem pretty decent, if you're asking about quality.