Road Cycling - Indexed or friction... what do you prefer?

I personally like my friction better. You never have to maintain it. Well not me anyways. And you can shift quite a few gears at once.

I prefer indexed shifters as long as it's actuated via the brake levers. For DT-shifters I would go with friction (but I really like the convenience of shifting from the 'bars. For bar-end shifters, it depends on if it's my single or my tandem. For my 'cross bike I like friction bar-end shifting; on the tandem, I think indexed is better because I can't sense the shift as well.

If you have Campy Ergo shifters, shifting multiple gears at once is not a problem.

I like both. Ramped cogs and chainrings make friction shifting easier than ever but I'm OK with indexed shifting, also.

Tough choice here.

I like the friction shifters, there is something
right about the feel of a campy nuovo record shifter.

I do however like the ability to shift easily on a climb,
to know exactly how many cogs I'm shifting.

Depends on the bike I guess.
For the Serotta, Ergo
For the Trek (1985) Friction.
For the Masi I'm dreaming of Friction
For the De Rosa 35th anniversary Friction
(Croce D'une )

Marty

Indexed! :p

I like my indexed shifting, but I always think of it as an incredibly complex solution to something that wasn't aproblem.

Originally posted by AndrewP
I like my indexed shifting, but I always think of it as an incredibly complex solution to something that wasn't aproblem.
I agree, both my bikes have D/T shifters ,one sis the other friction. i can ride either with confidence altho , getting used to the friction after a long break on indexed is a bit like driving a manual box after a long period owning an automatic, but it soon comes back !

Whats better, playing the guitar or the violin ?

Been back riding seriously for six years. Took me two of those years to go to clipless pedals, but only one to go to index'd (Campy) shifting. Maybe some day I'll do a retro bike with friction, but generally speaking, I never look back. BTW, never a problem shifting more than one gear at a time with Campy.

I agree with you IRC! I have both, friction on a road bike and index on a mtb and much prefer the friction. The reason for me is the extreme reliability and simplicity of the friction system; PLUS it shifts as fast as the index (even when compared to my friends campy and Shimano index road stuff), AND I can skip as many gears as I want all at once. I also like what AndrewP said about un-necessary complexity of the index system-why fix something that ain't broke? You think index is complex, just wait for electronic shifters to come out!!!!!!!!

HEHE wait till when shifters starting using wireless IrDA to transmit to the derailleurs.

I started with friction 20 years ago, went to STI three years ago, came back to friction this year. What's that tell you?

Like which shifter you prefer, this is all personal preference. My preference states that I will use indexed shifting from the bars. What I started on, what I'm comfy with. Like rapidfire on mountain bikes, which I started on and have found works best for me.

I started on mtn. bikes in '90 with indexed so it is what I am used to, my road bike is indexed, and I like it, but you all have me thinking, I'd like to try a good friction setup sometime....tom

I have bikes that use both but prefer indexed. I agree the indexed shifting is only a major plus if controlled at the brake lever. It's not as much an advantage with the front as it is with the rear. For many riders, the ability to shift and keep two hands on the bars (or levers) gives more control especially when riding in close packs.

Indexed Campy on my Road bike and Barcon Indexed (or Friction) on my touring bike. I am like other here in that I like to be able to shift multiple gears at once. I used STI's for several years and once I went to Campy, I never looked back!:D