Brifters vs. Downtube shifters
03-05-14, 12:25 PM
#151
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I ride with a guy rockin' DT's on a RB2... indeed, he must anticipate his shifts to an exponentially greater degree than me with my brifters. He also has to "break position" to shift. Doesn't stop him, but it does mean he's often a gear off from ideal, and those are his words. Also, if you like to climb, with brifters you can easily switch gears (2 gears, actually) when going from sitting to standing, while in the motion of changing position! Again, when climbing with my buddy he is typically not in the ideal gear if it's a climb that is long enough that there's some sit/stand switches happening. So he's generally mashing harder than ideal while sitting.
My conclusion? Brifters are better. Then again having done thousands of miles with this guy, clearly DT's work. Just not as well.
My conclusion? Brifters are better. Then again having done thousands of miles with this guy, clearly DT's work. Just not as well.
03-05-14, 12:27 PM
#152
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Because roadies are getting weak and lazy?
Can't ride heavy bikes. Must be light.
Sprockets must go over 9. Can't wait to see it go to 20 in the back.
Shifting has to be on brifters-and eventually, digital.
Absolutely must have some sort of guide to show them how far their riding, or how hard they should push.
Eventually, drugs are involved.
I mean, yes it all helps. But really, why not just slap a motor and engine in the back? How did those folks ride those ancient iron velocipedes back in the day? Barbarians!
Can't ride heavy bikes. Must be light.
Sprockets must go over 9. Can't wait to see it go to 20 in the back.
Shifting has to be on brifters-and eventually, digital.
Absolutely must have some sort of guide to show them how far their riding, or how hard they should push.
Eventually, drugs are involved.
I mean, yes it all helps. But really, why not just slap a motor and engine in the back? How did those folks ride those ancient iron velocipedes back in the day? Barbarians!
03-05-14, 12:41 PM
#153
Senior Member
I ride with a guy rockin' DT's on a RB2... indeed, he must anticipate his shifts to an exponentially greater degree than me with my brifters. He also has to "break position" to shift. Doesn't stop him, but it does mean he's often a gear off from ideal, and those are his words. Also, if you like to climb, with brifters you can easily switch gears (2 gears, actually) when going from sitting to standing, while in the motion of changing position! Again, when climbing with my buddy he is typically not in the ideal gear if it's a climb that is long enough that there's some sit/stand switches happening. So he's generally mashing harder than ideal while sitting.
My conclusion? Brifters are better. Then again having done thousands of miles with this guy, clearly DT's work. Just not as well.
My conclusion? Brifters are better. Then again having done thousands of miles with this guy, clearly DT's work. Just not as well.
I love climbing. I've just started riding on DT's. I've done some steep inclines, and it's kind of hard, but I'm digging it. I'm looking forward to taking up some long climbs this weekend, see how that works. I mean, I've usually stuck to one gear ratio and spin up, so I'm not anticipating any problems...
03-05-14, 12:42 PM
#154
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You guys have convinced me. I'm going to scour eBay and set my bike up with these:
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03-05-14, 12:56 PM
#156
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I would totally rock that front "suicide" derailer.
03-05-14, 12:57 PM
#157
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03-05-14, 01:00 PM
#159
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03-05-14, 01:01 PM
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Heh.
I love climbing. I've just started riding on DT's. I've done some steep inclines, and it's kind of hard, but I'm digging it. I'm looking forward to taking up some long climbs this weekend, see how that works. I mean, I've usually stuck to one gear ratio and spin up, so I'm not anticipating any problems...
I love climbing. I've just started riding on DT's. I've done some steep inclines, and it's kind of hard, but I'm digging it. I'm looking forward to taking up some long climbs this weekend, see how that works. I mean, I've usually stuck to one gear ratio and spin up, so I'm not anticipating any problems...
But if you take steep climbs out of the question, and recall that the OP's choice was bottom of the line brifters vs. downtube without mention of climbing (some hate climbing), then I suppose it's much more debateable.
I'm wondering where Bdop is, with his burning hatred of the word "brifters".
03-05-14, 01:09 PM
#161
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The main purpose of the bike will be commuting and some joy-riding, but there are only small hills where I'll be commuting so climbing isn't an issue.
03-05-14, 01:11 PM
#162
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I usually like to just set to the lowest gear and go when going up short steep climbs.
But imo, the OP is better served by starting with DT shifters and going from there. More simple, cheaper, and there's the benefit of learnig to work with gears.
I too, loathe the word "brifter".
But imo, the OP is better served by starting with DT shifters and going from there. More simple, cheaper, and there's the benefit of learnig to work with gears.
I too, loathe the word "brifter".
03-05-14, 01:18 PM
#163
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Brifters vs. Downtube shifters
Downtube shifters, centerpull brakes, rat trap pedals, i'm all in. I'm contemplating putting a ultra six speed freewheel on my sew-up wheels, but that may be too high tech for me. I like a true 10 speed.
Whats a brifter?
Whats a brifter?
03-05-14, 01:34 PM
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03-05-14, 01:45 PM
#166
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03-05-14, 01:47 PM
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03-05-14, 08:17 PM
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I still can't get why anyone would advocate spending an extra $50 for crippled cheap brifters when that's almost half way to the cost of pretty decent non-crippled ones.
03-05-14, 08:18 PM
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03-05-14, 08:50 PM
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Because that's what are already on the bike. No one is suggesting to buy 2300 shifters separately.
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03-09-14, 06:19 PM
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Because roadies are getting weak and lazy?
Can't ride heavy bikes. Must be light.
Sprockets must go over 9. Can't wait to see it go to 20 in the back.
Shifting has to be on brifters-and eventually, digital.
Absolutely must have some sort of guide to show them how far their riding, or how hard they should push.
Eventually, drugs are involved.
I mean, yes it all helps. But really, why not just slap a motor and engine in the back? How did those folks ride those ancient iron velocipedes back in the day? Barbarians!
Can't ride heavy bikes. Must be light.
Sprockets must go over 9. Can't wait to see it go to 20 in the back.
Shifting has to be on brifters-and eventually, digital.
Absolutely must have some sort of guide to show them how far their riding, or how hard they should push.
Eventually, drugs are involved.
I mean, yes it all helps. But really, why not just slap a motor and engine in the back? How did those folks ride those ancient iron velocipedes back in the day? Barbarians!
PS when was the last time you saw a bike racer with down tube shifters? Do you still watch TV on a tube instead of a flat screen, or still using a radio or just reading the news paper.
03-09-14, 09:28 PM
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With time Man improves technology and yet some folks think the old way is better. Brifters are better than down tubes!
PS when was the last time you saw a bike racer with down tube shifters? Do you still watch TV on a tube instead of a flat screen, or still using a radio or just reading the news paper.
PS when was the last time you saw a bike racer with down tube shifters? Do you still watch TV on a tube instead of a flat screen, or still using a radio or just reading the news paper.
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03-09-14, 10:48 PM
#175
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With time Man improves technology and yet some folks think the old way is better. Brifters are better than down tubes!
PS when was the last time you saw a bike racer with down tube shifters? Do you still watch TV on a tube instead of a flat screen, or still using a radio or just reading the news paper.
PS when was the last time you saw a bike racer with down tube shifters? Do you still watch TV on a tube instead of a flat screen, or still using a radio or just reading the news paper.
Cycling doesn't revolve around racing. Shocking, I know.
If you just want to ride around, there is something to be said for DT shifter; maintenance, cost, simplicity. It provides a useful learning curve.
Its kind of fun, too.
Granted, I've just started riding on 7 speed index after losing my shifters on my nice bike. I just did a climb heavy 60 mile ride today. Honestly, I did find myself reaching for paddles that weren't there at the climbing variances, but I got used to it, and was enjoying just riding and shifting when needed.
I'm sure when I embark on my pro roadie career, I'll be selling my kidney for Carbon wi-fi 30 speed shifters before they go obsolete, but for now Imma just goan ride my bike and have fun. Eventually, I'll have enough bread to get some shifters for the weekend warrior rig, but right now it's all A-OK style with the down tubes.
Learning to balance when shifting is fun! Try it sometime.