Using downtube shifters after a long hiatus
11-22-23, 06:37 AM
#26
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@El Chaba - It is about the engine and the body control unit!
But wait,what....they used handlebars to get to the moon?!
But wait,what....they used handlebars to get to the moon?!
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11-22-23, 07:00 AM
#27
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I frequently reach to the downtube when riding a bike with brifters. My old brain can't keep up. I do like downtube shifters. I have a set of DA 9 speeds that I'm going to build a bike around. Can't wait.
And someday, I'd like to build a bike with those Suntour shifters that mounted to the inside of the brake hoods. Not sure what they were called. I wanted them bad back in the day.
And someday, I'd like to build a bike with those Suntour shifters that mounted to the inside of the brake hoods. Not sure what they were called. I wanted them bad back in the day.
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11-22-23, 07:28 AM
#28
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My biggest adjustment was moving from Bar end controls to downtube shifters.
that was 50 years ago.
the rear mech just felt vague.
no so with those downtube levers.
I sold them off the next year, accumulated a set or two, I think one Suntour, one set Campagnolo. Perhaps with “index” housing the vagueness will decrease.
considering putting a set on my son’s bike as he likes to keep both hands on the bars.
his first road bike had a version of stem shifters- had a V dual paddle lever which he liked. But will also have to figure out index…
7 speed Shimano “tricolor”
he is of the index generation.
at least never turns down a ride with Dad.
that was 50 years ago.
the rear mech just felt vague.
no so with those downtube levers.
I sold them off the next year, accumulated a set or two, I think one Suntour, one set Campagnolo. Perhaps with “index” housing the vagueness will decrease.
considering putting a set on my son’s bike as he likes to keep both hands on the bars.
his first road bike had a version of stem shifters- had a V dual paddle lever which he liked. But will also have to figure out index…
7 speed Shimano “tricolor”
he is of the index generation.
at least never turns down a ride with Dad.
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11-22-23, 11:25 AM
#29
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Ditto, hadn't ridden with DT shifters for decades, now I have several bikes with indexed and non setups, and I'd forgotten how much fun these are.
11-22-23, 11:52 AM
#30
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I like to show up at the local “fast” ride with one vintage bike or another from time to time. You can just feel the confusion seeping out of the heads of guys half my age who think they are fast when and old guy on a bike with a total of twelve gears, downtube levers, friction, 32 spoke box section rims, steel frame, rim brakes ( often centerpull) shows up and gives them hell…especially after “ the industry” has convinced them that they can’t complete such a ride without disc brakes, at least 22 gears, integrated electronic shifting, tubeless tires, aero wheels, carbon everything, and more electronic ***** on the handlebars than was used in the first mission to the moon.
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11-22-23, 12:02 PM
#31
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When somebody sees me on a bike with downtube shifters and comment how they are inconvenient my standard response is "not as inconvenient as hitting the hill on a small cog".
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11-22-23, 12:32 PM
#32
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Bench yakity yak. Reminds me of talking with today's kids and their zooped up cars and paddle shifters.
Mention anything about generations of manual shift, especially racecars, heel and toe double clutching, non-synchros, straight cut gears and there's your answer why less of them have any interest.
Then I've 'switched gear's and the topic is comparing service or repair of manual transmissions to today's gizmos. Lol
Mention anything about generations of manual shift, especially racecars, heel and toe double clutching, non-synchros, straight cut gears and there's your answer why less of them have any interest.
Then I've 'switched gear's and the topic is comparing service or repair of manual transmissions to today's gizmos. Lol
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11-22-23, 12:37 PM
#33
Shifting is fun!
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I like to show up at the local “fast” ride with one vintage bike or another from time to time. You can just feel the confusion seeping out of the heads of guys half my age who think they are fast when and old guy on a bike with a total of twelve gears, downtube levers, friction, 32 spoke box section rims, steel frame, rim brakes ( often centerpull) shows up and gives them hell…especially after “ the industry” has convinced them that they can’t complete such a ride without disc brakes, at least 22 gears, integrated electronic shifting, tubeless tires, aero wheels, carbon everything, and more electronic ***** on the handlebars than was used in the first mission to the moon.
11-22-23, 01:13 PM
#34
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Bench yakity yak. Reminds me of talking with today's kids and their zooped up cars and paddle shifters.
Mention anything about generations of manual shift, especially racecars, heel and toe double clutching, non-synchros, straight cut gears and there's your answer why less of them have any interest.
Then I've 'switched gear's and the topic is comparing service or repair of manual transmissions to today's gizmos. Lol
Mention anything about generations of manual shift, especially racecars, heel and toe double clutching, non-synchros, straight cut gears and there's your answer why less of them have any interest.
Then I've 'switched gear's and the topic is comparing service or repair of manual transmissions to today's gizmos. Lol
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11-23-23, 11:52 AM
#35
feros ferio
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Bench yakity yak. Reminds me of talking with today's kids and their zooped up cars and paddle shifters.
Mention anything about generations of manual shift, especially racecars, heel and toe double clutching, non-synchros, straight cut gears and there's your answer why less of them have any interest.
Then I've 'switched gear's and the topic is comparing service or repair of manual transmissions to today's gizmos. Lol
Mention anything about generations of manual shift, especially racecars, heel and toe double clutching, non-synchros, straight cut gears and there's your answer why less of them have any interest.
Then I've 'switched gear's and the topic is comparing service or repair of manual transmissions to today's gizmos. Lol
It's too bad my downtube friction shifters don't serve an antitheft purpose anywhere nearly as effectively.
Back on topic, I have thumbies operating in friction mode on the mountain bike, non-indexed SunTour ratchet barcons on the Peugeot and the Carlton project bike, and the original old school Campag. downtube shift levers on the Capos and the Bianchi.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
11-23-23, 12:13 PM
#36
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Wish I could still reach down tube shifters, it's only bar ends for me now!
11-23-23, 01:03 PM
#37
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I just happened to miss the STI and clipless era. For some reason I just kept riding with Retrofriction DT shifters. But my MTB’s have triggers for the rear and a Suntour thumb shifter for the 2x.
Around 2015 I decided to go to index DT shifters since there were a couple of times I missed a shift on a short downhill to uphill with a no load shift with friction.
I have been planning on going to STI shifters some day, but many years ago I bought a set of Kelly TakeOffs for my wife, but went with STI’s instead. I tried them long ago and hated them because of all the hand gyrations. I decided they would be an interim fix until I went to STI shifters. I actually like them this time around. After getting used to the necessary hand positions, I find they give me the advantages of DT shifters while maintaining contact with the bars.
It has gotten thinking about Retroshift/Gevenalle one day. Still having a tough time with the cost for them.
John
Around 2015 I decided to go to index DT shifters since there were a couple of times I missed a shift on a short downhill to uphill with a no load shift with friction.
I have been planning on going to STI shifters some day, but many years ago I bought a set of Kelly TakeOffs for my wife, but went with STI’s instead. I tried them long ago and hated them because of all the hand gyrations. I decided they would be an interim fix until I went to STI shifters. I actually like them this time around. After getting used to the necessary hand positions, I find they give me the advantages of DT shifters while maintaining contact with the bars.
It has gotten thinking about Retroshift/Gevenalle one day. Still having a tough time with the cost for them.
John
11-24-23, 11:55 AM
#38
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I'm not a fan of DT shifters- although I've got 1-2 bikes (one goes back and forth between bar ends and DT shifters)- I think the only reason I don't permanently switch them to something other than DT shifters is because I like Simplex Retrofriction and the Suntour ratcheting "Sprint" style DT shifters.
I still reach for the clutch from time to time- haven't owned a manual transmission car since 1994. My current car has a "sport" mode- it more or less keeps the car in a lower gear longer- but I'll shift into that turning corners and stuff... so I do actually "downshift" sorta. But there is no clutch.
And you're referring to Suntour Command Shifters. They're ******g awesome. I have 3 sets in use right now- one is stock 6 speed Accushift, the other two are set up with 10 speed SIS.
Command Shifter + RRL Lever by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
Rough Fit 720 by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
IMG_3377 by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
I frequently reach to the downtube when riding a bike with brifters. My old brain can't keep up.
And someday, I'd like to build a bike with those Suntour shifters that mounted to the inside of the brake hoods. Not sure what they were called. I wanted them bad back in the day.
And someday, I'd like to build a bike with those Suntour shifters that mounted to the inside of the brake hoods. Not sure what they were called. I wanted them bad back in the day.
And you're referring to Suntour Command Shifters. They're ******g awesome. I have 3 sets in use right now- one is stock 6 speed Accushift, the other two are set up with 10 speed SIS.
Command Shifter + RRL Lever by Dave The Golden Boy, on FlickrRough Fit 720 by Dave The Golden Boy, on FlickrIMG_3377 by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
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