Classic & Vintage - Down with downtube shifters

If there's one thing I hate, it's downtube shifters.

Sadly, most alternatives are either stem shifters or super expensive. Enter the Shimano SL-A050 shifters, the best solution for modernizing old road bikes to indexed shifting - on a budget

Oh, and this is a very hilly city, so, MegaRange++

I'm happy with the result. Can't wait to sell it though, it's way too small for me. All it needs now is some pink bartape, after it's been fit to the buyer...

http://carcajous.ca:8018/desmrose3-lr.jpg
http://carcajous.ca:8018/desmrose2-lr.jpg
http://carcajous.ca:8018/desmrose1-lr.jpg

they look better than what you did to your bike.

Why do you have downtube shifters enough to do that? And why not bar end shifters? I got a set on ebay for $20.

Why do you have downtube shifters enough to do that? And why not bar end shifters? I got a set on ebay for $20.

I agree, bar-end shifters are a simple and very effective upgrade;

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/2010bikepictures019.jpg

I don't mind DT shifters, but bar end shifters really bug me...maybe it's because I'm usually on the hoods and not the drops. I always wondered how bar end shifters on the bar ends of a MTB would work.

These customized Suntour Barcons work just great, with this style of handlebar. You must figure out how to route the shifter cables, though.

144409

What is that thing hanging off of the handlebar?

Stem shifters would be a better choice, but bar ends are even better, as stated above. You don't ride with your hands on the shifters anyway - you just slide down the bars and shift.

Oh, that thing hanging from the handlebars is a flashlight, I rode it back from the workshop at night...

As for using bar-end shifters, those sure are nice, but getting them for 20$ on ebay is a deal - they usually sell for more, and then there's shipping to Canada which can be another 20$... It's not like there's a convenient source of afforadble bar-end shifters.

Custermustache, why do you think stem shifters would be better? You have to take your hands off the handlebars to use them, and they're a groin menace. But hey, I can get Shimano 7-speed index stem shifters for the same price as those SL-A050...

If there's one thing I hate, it's downtube shifter haters.

-Colonel Klink

Custermustache, why do you think stem shifters would be better? You have to take your hands off the handlebars to use them, and they're a groin menace.

WTH? If your "groin" is that close to the stem you have either the weirdest body geometry of any living human or you have serious fit problems. If you hit the boys on stem shifters why not the stem?

WTH? If your "groin" is that close to the stem you have either the weirdest body geometry of any living human or you have serious fit problems. If you hit the boys on stem shifters why not the stem?

Maybe it's the scary thought of having those two shift levers always pointing at the jewels like sharp tines on a fork:eek:.......specially the ling thin ones made by Simplex.
Anyway, at least for me personally, I never saw the need to change over from DT to brifters because I do not need to make those fraction of a second gear changes that racers have to to keep up with the peloton, plus I just don't like the mess that additional cables and casings brifters and barend shifter adds to the front of the bike, lastly, brifters just "uglify" bikes.

Chombi

Personally, I wish I could put downtube shifters on my Univega, but with oversized Tange tubes and brazed on tube-style cable stops, there isn't really anyway for me to do it. I went with bar end shifters, and even though I spend probably 75% of my time on the hoods (the other 25% being equally split between drops, corners, and tops), it ain't no thang to drop down for a second and shift. They're less cumbersome than DTS, but they look pretty nice too. I've got the suntour micro ratcheting shifters (kinda like the ones pictured above)

For North Roads bars (or albatross, or any other swept bars), I like what Rivendell does with their cork grips - core a groove in the bottom and use twine and bar tape to tie the cable to the grip. It looks really pretty to me.

Photo borrowed from Rivendell. Note, I'm not shilling, I just like the look. And if you want to buy their grips and tape, good on ya!

http://www.rivbike.com/images/products/full/0000/1500/marygrip3closenolev.JPG

If there's one thing I hate, it's downtube shifter haters.

-Colonel Klink
+1

works for me. they are nearly in the same place as stem shifters (nothing wrong with those either).

DT shifters are the best for looks, hands down. if you don't shift a lot, they work great. sometimes they just don't make the best sense.

another thing that would have worked in your situation was thumb shifters, although finding 7-speed indexed ones in your price range might be a little trickier.

If there's one thing I hate, it's downtube shifter haters.

-Colonel Klink

I am glad you are beginning to remember your commandments, young pad-wan! ;)

Just for those who need a review. The 4th commandment reads;

Remember the down tube shifter, and keep it holy. :D

Dura Ace 2/3 x 10 DT shifters
$70
Versatile
Light

If you can walk and chew gum.

Remember the down tube shifter, and keep it holy. :D...and don't forget the promise...
'and you will ride long and smoothly."

Let's not get too modern here, we can have alternatives that are still vintage.
Read it and weap, the future of friction shifters is the past.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eyxn8SPSTwU/S7UPuhDfdnI/AAAAAAAAAGw/WEFIoYbE8kg/S1024/2010-04-01+14.20.46.jpg

Just for those who need a review. The 4th commandment reads;

Remember the down tube shifter, and keep it holy. :D

Bob, you know we'll be asking you for copies of the sacred Bicycle Texts after April 1st is over, you know ;)

-Kurt

If those work for you, more power to you :) but in this type of configuration, the bars should be at least at seat level; here you have them about 20 cm too low (plus this bike seems about 3 sizes too small; maybe that's a reason DT shifters do not work for you)

http://carcajous.ca:8018/desmrose3-lr.jpg

Let's not get too modern here, we can have alternatives that are still vintage.
Read it and weap, the future of friction shifters is the past.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eyxn8SPSTwU/S7UPuhDfdnI/AAAAAAAAAGw/WEFIoYbE8kg/S1024/2010-04-01+14.20.46.jpg


Whoa! That looks interesting, please post a thread when you get them running. Routing the cables could be interesting.

They were good enough for Tommy Simpson

If those work for you, more power to you :) but in this type of configuration, the bars should be at least at seat level; here you have them about 20 cm too low (plus this bike seems about 3 sizes too small; maybe that's a reason DT shifters do not work for you)

http://carcajous.ca:8018/desmrose3-lr.jpg


Yeah, I agree that has to be a pretty far reach on a bike that small. Still I think your solution is a good one for a lot of people. I like the cross levers and putting the shifters nearby makes good sense to me. I like bar end shifters but I don't think they are sublimely superior, in fact I like them for north roads and not drop bars. You are dead on about Quebec being hilly, I don't blame you for wanting the mega range at all.

I am glad you are beginning to remember your commandments, young pad-wan! ;)

Just for those who need a review. The 4th commandment reads;

Remember the down tube shifter, and keep it holy. :D

Can we get the 10 (or however many there are) Commandments posted somewhere, so we can see them all together?

They were good enough for Tommy Simpson

and Eddie what's his name?

I like em....nothing simpler.

Anyway, at least for me personally, I never saw the need to change over from DT to brifters because I do not need to make those fraction of a second gear changes that racers have to to keep up with the peloton, plus I just don't like the mess that additional cables and casings brifters and barend shifter adds to the front of the bike, lastly, brifters just "uglify" bikes.

Chombi

+1



If there's one thing I hate, it's downtube shifter haters.

-Colonel Klink

+2 :)

I've only ever used DT shifters, and can't imagine using shifters in any other location except possibly brifters, since I spend 80+% of the time on the bottom of the drops; I brake with my index finger unless I have to brake extra hard in which case I move my hands up to the curved part of the drops, so I on't think brifters would give me fingertip shifting anyway. I don't see any advantage in bar ends for me either, since I would have to move my hand from the bar anyway. And I usually shift the FD with my right hand anyway, just by reaching through the frame.

and Eddie what's his name?

I like em....nothing simpler.

To be fair, Eddy what's his name would probably be riding with 11 speed Ergos if he was racing today. Downtube shifters are lighter though so I suppose there are minor trade offs.

Bar ends make it more difficult to shift both at the same time, it can be done though.

I brake with my index finger unless I have to brake extra hard in which case I move my hands up to the curved part of the drops, so I on't think brifters would give me fingertip shifting anyway.

I wouldn't convert to brifters but my 99 peugeot came with veloce 9sp and shifting from the foredrops is easy with one finger, probably harder on trad. Bend bars though.

Perhaps if you could find a pair of these your problems would be solved. As I remember they had a friction setting so you wouldn't have to worry about indexing. Use to come on late 80's GT Hybrid but I can't recall the exact group.

Bar ends make it more difficult to shift both at the same time, it can be done though.


If you need to shift both at the same time, you should probably HTFU. Otherwise, just man up and deal with it. I'll go from a slight decline to a 12% grade with only shifting the FD. Heck, even with my meanest hill, I'll still stay in the top ring. Probably has to do with the 26X36X48 rings I have with a 32X13 freewheel though...

dp

If you need to shift both at the same time, you should probably HTFU. Otherwise, just man up and deal with it. I'll go from a slight decline to a 12% grade with only shifting the FD. Heck, even with my meanest hill, I'll still stay in the top ring. Probably has to do with the 26X36X48 rings I have with a 32X13 freewheel though...


What?? Did I say shift to the granny gear? No, I didn't. IIRC shifting can go in two separate directions.

Aside from that, does that make my point invalid? No. I have all of the following, DT shifters, STI shifters and bar end shifters and I was simply making an observation. I know I am not the only one here who has used DT shifters to shift both at the same time. Now I do have another bike with bar ends on North road bars and I CAN shift both at the same time. No reason to hurl insults my way.

And explain to me why anyone should "just deal with it" when there are options out there? Oh, you don't like beach cruisers... Just deal with it.

I know I am not the only one here who has used DT shifters to shift both at the same time.

Nope, you're not. Front with my thumb, and rear with my middle finger. Uphill is a lot easier to do than down or accelerating.,,,,BD

My own shifter innovation:

http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/6424/2287584290068014369S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2287584290068014369FdGcfD)

beach cruisers?

beach cruisers?

Yes, I was illustrating my point. In a world of options would you tell someone to use their beach cruiser for a century and to "just deal with it". No, you pick what you like and what works for you. Same thing with shifters, there are many options so why should you "just deal" with one of them.

That was your whole response?

My own shifter innovation:

http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/6424/2287584290068014369S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2287584290068014369FdGcfD)

This is pretty awesome

Maybe it's the scary thought of having those two shift levers always pointing at the jewels like sharp tines on a fork:eek:.......specially the ling thin ones made by Simplex.


Not to worry, when traveling at speed and striking a fixed object the body moves in a forward arch, sending the "jewels" far above the "tines". Been there....jewels still intact, still haven't found my tooth yet.:D

When I wrecked my Centurion a few weeks ago, I went in an upward arch, but somehow my inner/upper left thigh managed to turn purple.,,,,BD

That would be from the bars.....if your really moving, the forks fold, the wheel taco's and your face strikes the object seconds before your thighs reach the bars, thus eliminating most body bruising.....still, I'd like my toof back.

Suntour Command Shifters. Check them out. Pricey for old shifters though.
But I'm with most of the rest. I love the look of DT shifters and don't really understand why people wouldn't like them. They are classic looking and function as well as anything out there. (friction DT is the ultimate in simplicity) I even dare to argue with the new, young "racers" out there saying that you lose an edge over ergo shifters and may get drop by the pack. LOL Most of the greatest racers ever used them just fine and they would still be able to keep up with anyone using ergos. If you don't like DT shifters on an old lightweight road frame, put on a straight bar and mountain shifters. I'm willing to bet you don't use your drops very much anyway.

Can we get the 10 (or however many there are) Commandments posted somewhere, so we can see them all together?We probably could, but those stone tablets are awfully hard to lug around. That's why Bob has some many racks on his bikes.

I like downtube shifters, but i do think your bike looks pretty sweet, hernick.

I even dare to argue with the new, young "racers" out there saying that you lose an edge over ergo shifters and may get drop by the pack. LOL Most of the greatest racers ever used them just fine and they would still be able to keep up with anyone using ergos.if you magically return all the top racers to the peak of their fitness and put them in a race,anyone with ergos would have a significant advantage. I have no problem with downtube shifters, but they are inferior for racing. That being said, the frame I'm currently working on is going to have downtube bosses on it; they are a good way to mount adjusters if nothing else.

Nope, you're not. Front with my thumb, and rear with my middle finger. Uphill is a lot easier to do than down or accelerating.,,,,BD

+ 1

For some shifts I also use FD with my thumb, RD pushing down with the palm of my hand. I always use my right hand for shifting, unless I need to tighten my FD friction screw while I'm down there.

Originally Posted by mkeller234:
I know I am not the only one here who has used DT shifters to shift both at the same time.



Bikedued: Nope, you're not. Front with my thumb, and rear with my middle finger. Uphill is a lot easier to do than down or accelerating.,,,,BD

I guarantee you I would either fall over, throw a chain, catch a finger on the wheel, or hurt myself.
My hat's off to you guys...

I've posted this before: Miguel Indurain won the field sprint for second place in the '93 Worlds using downtube shifters (the one where Lance won on a solo breakaway). Indurain beat several known sprinters who were using STI and Ergo. That should be proof that using downtube shifters are more about the rider than the equipment. Downtube shifters are the easiest to set up, the most durable, the most reliable, and the coolest looking (ATMO). "People only hate what they don't understand."

I've found STI is a PITA, unless I'm constantly on the hoods. From the drops the clicks are just out of reach, and I have to think too hard
about it. I not only prefer DT shifters, but friction on top of that. I'm not racing, so who needs it. The sad thing is that the industry has convinced much
of the population, that it simply cannot be done without STI/Ergo. Race technology often trickles down to consumer level products, and shifters are no exception.
I also have no doubt it increased the amount of people who ride due to the supposed simplicity, and greater sense of control. It's kind of a double edged
sword.

Last year I built a bike with bar end indexed shifters for a 23 yo woman. After the second time helping her adjust the detents via email, I finally convinced her to change
the rear shifter to friction mode just to "try it out".(Shimano switchable) She immediately liked it better, and found it much easier to operate.
I was both impressed, and pleasantly surprised. I was also a little proud that I converted someone to friction shifting, albeit to solve a problem.,,,,BD

Hey? How about friction brifters???? Sounds like a project for Rivendell or Velo Orange;)

Ratcheting friction STI/Ergos would be great, and wouldn't require such a long throw.