Bicycle Mechanics - Any way to mount downtube shifters behind steering tube?

Currently i'm still in the planning stages of a new bike build. I've got the frame (Salsa Casseroll) but have yet to decide how to build it up. The only thing i've decided on so far is that i want to use downtube shifters to keep the cost down.

However i remember that some older bikes i've seen have the shifters mounted above the top tube just behind the stem/steering tube and i'm wondering if/how this could be done... Is there some kind of headset spacer which doubles as a mount for downtube shifters?

It's not that i'm adverse to having to reach down to shift, i'm just exploring my options here. :)

Currently i'm still in the planning stages of a new bike build. I've got the frame (Salsa Casseroll) but have yet to decide how to build it up. The only thing i've decided on so far is that i want to use downtube shifters to keep the cost down.

However i remember that some older bikes i've seen have the shifters mounted above the top tube just behind the stem/steering tube and i'm wondering if/how this could be done... Is there some kind of headset spacer which doubles as a mount for downtube shifters?

It's not that i'm adverse to having to reach down to shift, i'm just exploring my options here. :)

Stem mounted shifters are one of the hallmarks of a cheap bike. I'm sure if you search around for stem mounted shifters, you could find some, but they won't be high quality. I'm also not sure if you could find a clamp to fit a 1 1/8" threadless steerer tube, so you may have to make something. The nice thing about downtube shifters is that they have a very short run of cable to the dérailleurs and fewer bends than stem/bar mounted shifters, which will make shifting smoother and crisper. If you're completely against the idea, i recommend bar end shifters. They'll cost you a bit more, but there's no point putting cheap parts on a nice frame.

Meh, no barend shifters preferably. I did find some stem mount shifters but nearly all are vintage stuff for quill stems...

I was hoping to find a way to mount those Dura Ace shifters just a tad higher up. :) Not necessary though.

I've been drooling over the Casseroll deal at Jenson myself (I'm assuming that's where you got it).

There's always the Kelly Take-off:

http://www.kellybike.com/2nd_xtra_takeoff.html

Stem-mounted shifters have a few issues of their own.
To shift you need to raise yourself up rather than down. This makes balance a bit more difficult and is slower.
In the event of a sudden, rapid stop, you may continue foward until you hit the bars. Ive done this a couple of time, even if it wasnt a full blown endo. Any sticky outy bits on your stem will stick into you.
Bar ends or Take-Offs are far better.

True, i do like to keep the dangly bits away from pointy objects...

While i do like the Take-Offs, i'm not quite sure i'd like them on the Casseroll (yes, it was from the Jenson sale, i couldn't pass it up). :lol:

I'll stick with the downtube shifters unless i stumble across a ridiculously low priced set of STI levers. :)

Let me see if I am on the right page here.

You want to mount down tube shifters in a differnent spot. Well, I bought a brack that hold down tube shifters on any tube you want to put them on. A simple wrap a round clamp with mounting spots for the shifters.

Sorry, dont know any names for them or where i got them. Just telling you so you will know they are out there. A thought - call Revendell.

Maybe you could pick up a pair of braze-on shifter bosses and JB Weld them to either side of the stem.

Just a thought.