Bicycle Mechanics - quick question: friction shifters + new rear derailleur?

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pobre
03-09-10, 05:47 PM
My rear derailleur broke, and it's about time to replace it. I want to keep my friction shifters, but it seems like all the new bike parts are made for indexed shifting.

Does a new derailleur require indexed shifters? or will it work with friction shifters. (I know, of course, that the shifting itself will not be indexed)

thanks

pobre
03-09-10, 05:50 PM
More specific:

Let's say I buy this 8 speed Sora 3300 RD http://cgi.ebay.com/Shimano-Sora-3300-GS-8-Speed-Road-Bike-Rear-Derailleur_W0QQitemZ170456543752QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item27b0007208
But my freewheel right now is only 5 speed. Will my friction shifters work with this? I feel like if I am getting a new RD, I might as well get one that can accommodate some future upgrades (to a 8 sp freewheel and/or indexed shifting) that I might want.
ultraman6970
03-09-10, 05:52 PM
Pobre oyu shouldnt have a single problem if you want to use friction downtube shifters... basically buy whatever u want.

HillRider
03-09-10, 05:54 PM
Friction shifters will work with ANY rear derailleur. Indexing is in the shifters and the derailleur just follows orders.

In fact, with the exception of pre-9-speed Dura Ace, all Shimano rear derailleurs will index properly with whatever number of speeds the shifter has to offer.
pobre
03-09-10, 06:17 PM
In fact, with the exception of pre-9-speed Dura Ace, all Shimano rear derailleurs will index properly with whatever number of speeds the shifter has to offer.

Even if the shifter has more speeds than the RD?
ultraman6970
03-09-10, 06:57 PM
U said friction... with friction pretty much u can use what ever rd u want to use, just adjust the upper and lower limits and done.
HillRider
03-09-10, 07:04 PM
Even if the shifter has more speeds than the RD?
Again, derailleurs do not have "speeds", they only go where the shifter sends them. The number of "speeds" are only in the shifters and, of course, a matching cassette.

So, yes, an X-speed shifter can be used with an X-1 or X-2 or fewer speed rear derailleur. For example I'm currently using an "8-speed" 105 rear derailleur with 9-speed STI shifters.

The "speeds" listed for a rear derailleur only indicate which group it was contempory with. So a "9-speed" Ultegra derailleur was built during the period when Ultegra shifters and cassettes were 9-speed.
Kimmo
03-09-10, 07:05 PM
What's with all these threads lately asking about compatibility with a system that predates exclusive compatibility?

It must be a conspiracy!