Revracer

I admit it, I am spoiled by 10-speed cassettes and modern brifter setups so when I built my first downtube friction shifter bike and took it for a ride with a fellow cyclist who I typically ride with, I got quite the workout.

There are more differences than just downtube shifters, as the cassette is an 8-speed and the crank is a 53-42 double instead of a 50-34 compact. The weight of the bike is 23lbs, 3lbs heavier than my typical rider. I was also riding on 28mm tires on rims that are 300g heavier. I could have just been tired from many miles that week, but I found some interesting comparisons.

1) Shift Less – It is just a fact of life that I am more cautious shifting downtube because of taking the hand off the bars. Hence I don’t shift as often, so the wider range of the 8 speed is fine, but I also will pedal in a harder gear to keep up and that raised the level of the workout quite a bit.
2) One Handed Power – Maybe it is just me, but when I am shifting and trimming, I am not putting much power to the pedals and then pedal harder to make up ground. With brifters, I will ease up for the gear change, but the impact is minimal compared to the amount of power I take off when shifting downtube.

In any event, I plan to keep the downtubes as this bike will be an interesting novelty and workout. Perhaps my goal for this year is a century in this configuration. My hat is off to all of you who race your classics with downtubes as I can appreciate the fitness and the technique.

ThermionicScott 

Kudos! It's kind of like driving a manual for the first time -- new things to think about and remember, eventually they become habit.

People talk about single-speed versus multi-speed bikes, but I think of bikes on a spectrum where "less-convenient" shifting occupies the middle ground between single-speed and brifter bikes. You do find yourself getting the most out of a particular gear (by pedalling harder or spinning faster) when your don't have a good opportunity to shift.

due ruote 

There might be other variables too - frame flex, wheel and/or tire quality, etc. etc. What are the two bikes you're comparing?

I have zero experience with brifters but I live where it's quite flat, so there's not a lot of shifting or climbing; and I don't race. For me, I don't think the advantage would be that great. But change those conditions and I can easily see the appeal of a modern setup.

Chombi

If you do it long enough, The usual required slight overshift and backing off (trimming) the shift lever (FYI, In case you ever use one, Campy NR RDs much more of this compared to most other RDs) will become natural after a while and you end up eventually not shifting consciously or with too much effort...try not to look at the levers when you shift...

Bianchigirll 

Congrats on going backwards to real cycling!! I think everyone should have a friction DT bike and ride it in the early season as it does, as you mention, make you shift less and there fore work harder.

Actually you bring up another good point about being afraid to take your hands off the bars. I see lots of riders who never wave or even seem to look side to side they just stare down the road with a death grip on their brifters trying to go as fast as they can. A good old steel bike with friction can help you relax and enjoy the ride.

Revracer

The comparison is between a late 70s Moser with Campy Nuovo and a Cannondale Synapse with Shimano 105. However, I would make a similar claim with my heavier aluminum CX bike with Apex.

Terrain here is full of small hills, but I could get on a cruise if we found a flat.

Italuminium

Off course, many variables at play here, but yeah, shift less and "diesel" more - long stretches in the same gear at cadence that's considered low by today's standards. That's the DT feeling.

non-fixie 

There's a song in there somewhere ...

norskagent

I have found that indexed DT shifters are slightly less of a workout than friction shifters. And fixed gear riding is even less of a workout - on your shifting muscles but not your legs!

due ruote 

That's a pretty nice first foray into dt shifting! Good for you.

Vinnems

I prefer downtube shifters because my preferred riding stance is more relaxed, holding the flats of the bars. I can remain in that position and shift, not have to drop to the drops to reach the brake shifters. I'm really considering building up one of the new Bianchi steel road frames because they have brazed on spots for downtube shifters.

a77impala

I have four vintage Treks that had dt shifters, they were the first thing I changed
to barends. I don't like dt shifters at all! I always was having to look for them or grouping the dt
to find them. Give me barends any day over dt's.

Chombi

DT shifting is not really that hard to learn......People just sometimes convince themselves that they are. Kinda like some people that just dread to try out clipless pedals because of fear that they cannot get out of them in time in certain situations.....
.......Brifters and bar ends are for uncoordinated fancy lads!

andyfloyd

I prefer downtube "index" as 2 of my steel rides have this setup. Either Suntour Cyclone 12speed, or Shimano 600 14spd. I dont mind friction as that is what is on my Peugeot PX-10....and it is fun but the indexing just takes the guesswork out of it and you still get to enjoy reaching down to hit the downtube shifters. I got used to downtubes and now I will still pedal quite hard while I have one hand on the shifter. Once you get used to it its something you dont even think about and the momentum you are losing now will be a thing of the past.

flyfisherbob

Personally, I really like my indexed DT shifters. I did have a lesson in weight and gearing this last weekend. I was out for a ride Sunday afternoon, and coming home had a steep climb up the river bluff. Needless to say, I failed, epically, being forced to walk the bike three quarters of the rise before remounting and finishing the ride. After the normal round of cursing my weight, lack of fitness, etc, I also began thinking about the differences between the Centurion and my carbon road bike. First, weight, though five pounds or so should not, it seems, make that much difference. Second, gearing - this may have been more explanation of my downfall. 40 tooth front and a 28 large rear is a fair amount more gear inches than a 34 compact with a 30 rear. Or, it just may be that I am fat and out of shape.

I will agree with the "dieseling". Riding the rollers over the rest of the ride went well. The gears are far enough apart on the six speed cluster, it only took a two click drop to get over the hills.

Bob

hodgykins 

I love DT shifters, maybe because it reminds me of my youth. That is all we had an knew. I have a Volpe now with brifters, and a 78 Paramount with DT's. Honestly I prefer the DT's. I love grabbing the lever and small movements and you hear a chain-rub and a clunk when they drop or up shift. It is akin to my musical taste a virgin vinly 33-1/3 LP spinning on a good Turntable with an awesome Cartridge. Jazz and blues...not Pop. IMHO

Flying Merkel

Down tube shifters take a bit to get used to. When you do, they're a satisfying old school way to do things. I have 6 speed & 8 speed bikes. I like the simplicity.

rekmeyata

That's the problem with modern day bike riders, their now scared to take their hands off the bar. For a lot more years then briftors have been around down tube shifters was what we all used, we thought nothing of moving a hand off the bar to shift, I still do it that way today and I'm 60 years old.

I can't even believe the number of riders I see that either have to stop or they swerve all over the road just to get drink from their bottle! When I'm riding for a long ways I will ride with no hands on the bars so I can stretch, and I may ride with not hands on the bars for several miles at a time.

And shifting less? not really, if you're use to moving your hand to shift then your not scared to do so, so you shift just as often. I find myself shifting with the down tubes just as often as I do with my bike that has briftors. It's the same science, pedal speed slows down you shift to maintain your cadence; pedal speed speeds up you shift to maintain cadence; no difference at all except with friction shifters you have 5 to 7 gear cluster instead of 9 to 11 so people are shifting more due to the more gears. Is all that necessary? I don't think so, at least I don't find myself shifting more.

Vinnems

Also I like about them is working both shifters with one hand. Always keep my right on the bar, shift with the left.

rekmeyata

you do it differently then I do. I use my right hand to shift the right shifter and the left hand for the left shifter. But whatever works.

Lascauxcaveman 

I am confuzed... what are these "brifters" of which you speak? Is there some newfangled alternative to stem and downtube shifters that is on newer bikes these days?

Are they made of ... crabon?

top506

With a little practice you can do one-handed half-steps, shifting both levers at the same time. THAT impresses the kids!

Top

rhm

I've been riding my new-to-me Fuji Finest a lot lately. It has Suntour Power Shifters on the downtube. It took me only a few minutes to get used to them, and now I find I can reach down with my right hand and shift without thinking about it. There's nothing in the least unnatural about it, nor uncomfortable.

I have done a couple centuries with brifters in the last few months... both Ergo and STI. At first I love the feel of the brifters, and being able to shift with my fingers without moving my hands. But after several hours of that, my fingers get tired. There comes a time when my hands are sore and I just can't be bothered to shift any more. Downshifting, in particular, gets to be an awful chore.

Now, to be fair, I haven't ridden a century with downtube shifters in many years. Maybe I'll hate that too. But I'm going to try it soon.

robert schlatte

Several things I like about DT friction shifters are the overall simplicity:simple to replace the cables, simple to adjust, direct short pull, and sleek lines- not all the cable housing loops. I don't shift as much- and that's simple too- but not because of not wanting to take my hands off the handlebar but because I don't always want to make the effort to reach down.

Revracer

Perhaps I am too hung up on speed and thinking about the impact should I be in a road race and need to shift and chase the peloton. Normally I would drop a gear or two, hammer the brakes, take the turn and jump out of the saddle to power back up to speed upshifting as cadence climbs. Not impossible with DT, but so easy and fast with brifters.

Out of curiosity, is anyone aware of nostalgia races where DT are required? That might be an interesting concept, as it certainly works for nostalgia drag racing where old school engines, frames and models are required for certain classes. They have age groups for riders, why not the bikes too...