Folding Bikes - Sram Dual Drive with Shimano brake/shift levers

Hi folks,

I posted this in the bike mechanics forum as well. This may be most relevant to Bike Friday owners but anyone who can help will have my gratitude.

I'm wondering if anyone has a bike with a shifting system involving Sram Dual Drive and Shimano shifters? I've read how they are not supposed to work together but Bike Friday seems to spec. this setup on some of their folding bikes. I like the Dual Drive but I'd like to put a drop bar on my folder without having to go to a triple crank+front derailleur setup and changing the rear wheel to a regular hub.


The real question is whether the front derailleur shifter (a triple, in this case) can shift the internal hub portion of the Dual Drive. The other shifter shifts a regular rear derailleur as per normal hub setup.

Thanks to anyone who can explain to me how BF or you have managed to do this.

jeronimo

I made the switch to a drop bar on a Dahon .... which doesnt invole the dual drive
I cannot answer your question but it might help with other small details

http://www.thorusa.com/dahontuning.htm

Thor

Hi Jeronimo,
I use a SRAM dual drive 3x7 drive train. I was curious myself, so I went to my LBS and gave it a try. The short answer is yes, you can use brake/shifters with dual drive systems. I tried it with Shimano 105 brake/shifters and they worked perfectly. I ended up not changing over, but that had more to do with the fact that I have a bad back and have to ride more upright.
If you have a 3x7 dd system, just know that it is difficult to find a brake/shifter for 21 speed bikes. Shimano now only makes them in their SORA component range and they are still between $100-200 dollars($139 at Harris Cyclery online). Even used ones on ebay go for more than $100. I was also told that the internal gears "don't like" friction shifters, so you should stay away from those too.
Hope this helps.
juan162

7 speed shimano sti shifters work 100% perfect on the SRAM 3x7 Dualdrive (ffront and rear). However, it might be a trick to find 7spd sti shifters. ALso, I don't know if they'll work on the 3x9. Since the hub gears on the 3x7's and 3x9's shift in the opposite direction (I know, I have both) I have a slight concern that the cable pull may also be different. (SRAM is also pretty unafraid to mix things up with non-standard cable pull ala their x-0 rear derailleurs.)

I'd say the chances are high it will work fine, but there's good reason to wonder.

I have a BF SatRday with SRAM dual drive and 9 speed cogs. The shifter for the 9 speed is a grip shift and the dual drive has a three position thumb shift, both on the right hand side. I understand that the 9 speed is pretty standard. SRAM has a fairly detailed manual on the web which might help you, at www.sram.com. I'd be glad to look at my bike if there's any details you have questions about.