Classic & Vintage - Suntour Sifters- Read my mind?

I need some help and am drawing a blank. I check VB and and didnt see them but I might not have looked in the right place.

What model Suntour shifters are mounted on drop bars near the brake lever? Command? Im trying to search out a set but need some help naming them.

Yes, Suntour Command is what you're looking for.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6037/5889469812_18459420fc_b.jpg

Sounds like you're looking for the Command shifters. Are these it?

http://velobase.com/CompImages/Shifter/C2F278F4-10B3-4906-8DE6-E8B45AF00D1A.jpeg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fi1TetUDU_k/TigsDuQbaYI/AAAAAAAAAS8/JjUfjot3S84/s1600/Suntour%2BCommand%2Binstall%2B015.JPG

Yep, Thanks guys! With that being said, how do you like them?

Well, I like them better than any other kind of shifting for derailleurs, but I prefer an internally geared hub with the shifter somewhere near the brake levers.

Wow, never seen these things before. Why hasn't the concept caught on in, for instance, the pro peloton?

I have to agree - Never seen them - How about a detailed review...

Wow, never seen these things before. Why hasn't the concept caught on in, for instance, the pro peloton?

If you have to ask, then you've never ridden integrated brake/shift levers

If you have to ask, then you've never ridden integrated brake/shift levers

eh, I have a very nice modern bike with 10 speed ergo power. Love it. But did these things came out when brifters were already available?

They are from the early days of indexed shifting, before the days of brifters. I was not into new cycling gear at that time; I didn't learn about them until five or ten years later by which time Suntour had lost the indexing battle and gone out of business. My sense is that it is difficult to set up Command shifters so they index reliably, and considerably more difficult to set them up so they don't index at all. I have had the same pair on three different bikes. The current configuration (on the Cera shown above) is imperfect. When they are working right, they are really good.

They are from the early days of indexed shifting, before the days of brifters. I was not into new cycling gear at that time; I didn't learn about them until five or ten years later by which time Suntour had lost the indexing battle and gone out of business. My sense is that it is difficult to set up Command shifters so they index reliably, and considerably more difficult to set them up so they don't index at all. I have had the same pair on three different bikes. The current configuration (on the Cera shown above) is imperfect. When they are working right, they are really good.
so no good way to run them friction? If there was, they look like they'd be idea. Much better than my ugly but very convenient Kelly Take-off setup to do the same thing.

so no good way to run them friction? If there was, they look like they'd be idea.

Yeah, good question, and I'm a bit perplexed about this at present. I know I have, in the past, set mine up to shift flawlessly in friction mode; but at present they are not set up that way. I remember doing something very clever to make it work the first time I installed them, some 15+ years ago. When I went to install them on the Cera a few months ago I found the front shifter was on the clamp that goes on the right side of the handlebar, and vice-versa. So I think I overcame the indexing function by using the front shifter for the rear derailleur. But, I did not try that trick on this present installation, and (consequently?) it is somewhat less than perfect. Still pretty good, though.

They are from the early days of indexed shifting, before the days of brifters. I was not into new cycling gear at that time; I didn't learn about them until five or ten years later by which time Suntour had lost the indexing battle and gone out of business. My sense is that it is difficult to set up Command shifters so they index reliably, and considerably more difficult to set them up so they don't index at all. I have had the same pair on three different bikes. The current configuration (on the Cera shown above) is imperfect. When they are working right, they are really good.

thanks for explaining that. And it's always a pleasure to see that Cera of yours!

eh, I have a very nice modern bike with 10 speed ergo power. Love it. But did these things came out when brifters were already available?

I believe they were SunTour's response to Shimano's brifters. I've been itching to try them. Seems like they would be awesome for cross.

I have had 3 different pair of these Suntour Command Shifters on various bikes over the years and like them a lot. There were several different models I think.

I really did not have any trouble setting up the ones I had in friction mode.

The rear shifter on mine has a dial to turn to go between the friction & indexed mode. I have shifted up to a 9 speed rear cassette with them in the friction mode.

They are pictured on Jon's great site:
http://velobase.com/ViewComponent.aspx?ID=ecce3c80-45f3-49bf-94e1-20d90e0f5b55

The only reason I am not using them now and I have sold my last pair about a month ago is that I prefer the Shimano bar end shifters.

The last time I looked some fellow was trying to sell NOS ones on eBay for $150 or so which for me is way overpriced.

Every time I tried to snag a pair on ebay I was outbid. I gave up sometime in the spring when riding outweighed wrenching in the priorities. Maybe this winter?