Downtube Shifters
#26
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I should have been more specific. It more about losing energy up a hill than anything drivetrain related. It makes more time to shift a gear while pedaling up a hill with DT shifters, at least for me it does.
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If you have friction, there are little tricks that make downtube shifting glorious. As someone mentioned previously, shifting front and rear simultaneously using pressure on the downtube and multiple fingers. This is more advanced. But, more important is the over shift and then fine-tuning the alignment. Shifting slightly beyond the gear you want and listening, then adjusting until you hear that the chain is correctly placed. once you get used to the sound, your shifting becomes much faster. Cross chaining becomes a little more doable, not that I recommend it, because you can micro-manage your derailleurs.
Enjoy it.
Enjoy it.
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Downtube shifters - solid goldie on your oldie.
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
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Not hard at all. It's also nice to line up the RD perfectly with older DT shifters. You cannot fine tune a shift up/down with STI's like you can with DTs.
The only bad part is making sure you shift to the gear you need before a hill. Shifting gears with DTs on an uphill climb isn't the best.
The only bad part is making sure you shift to the gear you need before a hill. Shifting gears with DTs on an uphill climb isn't the best.
That hill was hard! (Too much pride to stop but I was far ahead of my companion and see her again for several days. First names only and 2000 riders.)
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#35
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My namesake Mooney started as a 3 X 5, went to 3 X 7 with SunTour Command index, then triple chainline 3-speed fix gear. 46-42-38 X 12 on one side of the hub and 17-21 on the other. (It returned to the triple with DT shifters briefly as I tried grave, then back to fixed.
Rode it 50 miles today on the 42-17. Fix gear is where the Mooney shines. Took me almost 40 years to find it.
Rode it 50 miles today on the 42-17. Fix gear is where the Mooney shines. Took me almost 40 years to find it.
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Thank you everyone! I still don't have the bike yet but I am excited to try it out.
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Or in silver
On a Hugo Rickert project
Last edited by Wildwood; 01-15-21 at 07:45 AM.
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#38
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One of my three bikes is a 1984 Nishiki International Ole with downtube shifters. I've had hand issues since my mid 40s (I'm 59) and having to remove my hands from the bars to shift helps prevent cramps from holding them in the same position too long, as on my other brifter bike.
My third bike was a straight bar MTB with integrated shifters and brakes, again keeping my hands in the same position for everything. Last year I convered it to drop bars with bar-end shifters, again, necessitating hand movement to shift.
What surprises me the most is how easily my brain adjusts to which bike I'm on...especially now that all three bikes have essentially the same riding position. When I first got my brifter bike 6 years ago I kept reaching for the downtube shifters. And then on my old bike I'd try to rotate the brake levers to shift.
But for the last three years my brain seems to have it figured out.
For even longer I have been using various software programs to do my job, and I use plenty of keyboard shortcuts. The programs prerform similar functions and like the bikes, every once in a while I use the wrong shortcut from a different program.
As others mention, the downtube shifters are a very simple mechanical levers and a joy to use. Mine are indexed on the rear, and friction on the front. I have the option of switching to friction for the rear derailer, but prefer indexed...same as on my other bike's bar-ends.
I say, relax...you can do this, and you'll enjoy it. If you needed an excuse to ride, getting used to a new-to-you-bike is a very good one.
My third bike was a straight bar MTB with integrated shifters and brakes, again keeping my hands in the same position for everything. Last year I convered it to drop bars with bar-end shifters, again, necessitating hand movement to shift.
What surprises me the most is how easily my brain adjusts to which bike I'm on...especially now that all three bikes have essentially the same riding position. When I first got my brifter bike 6 years ago I kept reaching for the downtube shifters. And then on my old bike I'd try to rotate the brake levers to shift.
But for the last three years my brain seems to have it figured out.
For even longer I have been using various software programs to do my job, and I use plenty of keyboard shortcuts. The programs prerform similar functions and like the bikes, every once in a while I use the wrong shortcut from a different program.
As others mention, the downtube shifters are a very simple mechanical levers and a joy to use. Mine are indexed on the rear, and friction on the front. I have the option of switching to friction for the rear derailer, but prefer indexed...same as on my other bike's bar-ends.
I say, relax...you can do this, and you'll enjoy it. If you needed an excuse to ride, getting used to a new-to-you-bike is a very good one.
#39
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Downtube shifters are cool from a C&V perspective; my first road bike in the early 90's had them, but I'm not sure why anyone would prefer this setup over modern drivetrains. They are definitely NOT the equivalent of comparing auto/manual transmissions in cars. It's more like comparing power windows to manual cranks. They both do the same thing, one just requires slightly more effort.
It's also worth noting that bikes with DT shifters likely have far fewer gears than a modern 2x11 (or 12). So... you'll be doing less shifting in general which makes for a different riding experience. I used to vary my cadence a lot more than I do now.
It's also worth noting that bikes with DT shifters likely have far fewer gears than a modern 2x11 (or 12). So... you'll be doing less shifting in general which makes for a different riding experience. I used to vary my cadence a lot more than I do now.
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Downtube shifters are cool from a C&V perspective; my first road bike in the early 90's had them, but I'm not sure why anyone would prefer this setup over modern drivetrains. They are definitely NOT the equivalent of comparing auto/manual transmissions in cars. It's more like comparing power windows to manual cranks. They both do the same thing, one just requires slightly more effort.
It's also worth noting that bikes with DT shifters likely have far fewer gears than a modern 2x11 (or 12). So... you'll be doing less shifting in general which makes for a different riding experience. I used to vary my cadence a lot more than I do now.
It's also worth noting that bikes with DT shifters likely have far fewer gears than a modern 2x11 (or 12). So... you'll be doing less shifting in general which makes for a different riding experience. I used to vary my cadence a lot more than I do now.
Last edited by Litespud; 01-15-21 at 10:00 AM.
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#41
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trying to think of a suitable automotive analogy - best I can come up with is a modern manual transmission vs an old non-synchro tranny - sure, the old box takes a lot more finesse, and I imagine the aficionado takes great pleasure in nailing a smooth shift in their vintage car, but no-one in their right mind would choose a non-synchro transmission except for the nostalgia trip.
There are definitely people out there on car forums right now complaining that syncros ruined the driving experience.
#42
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They are cool and more dangerous. Anytime you are shifting you will be leaning down with only one hand/arm controlling steering and braking. The risk may be minimal, especially with experience but it is still there.
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Very true - look to make sure the pavement ahead is smooth before taking your hand off the bars to shift.
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The one thing I have grown accustom to is the glance down to see what gear I’m in. I don’t think I have gone on a ride “ever” without glancing at them.
I know people will say you don’t need to know or just look back at the cassette, which is a fun exercise in the middle of everything, but for me it is just instinctive to give a quick look at the DT shifters.
John
I know people will say you don’t need to know or just look back at the cassette, which is a fun exercise in the middle of everything, but for me it is just instinctive to give a quick look at the DT shifters.
John
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Also another thread with info here: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...-downpost.html
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they have that retro tactile feel. I have not used one for years but they are not that bad for commutting. Obviously, STIs are far superior but if that´s all you have then they work fine.
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#49
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I am not against STI levers and am not knocking their usefulness but being "far superior" to a downtube lever I cannot get behind. Better integrated for sure but not "far superior".
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