krobinson103

Some irritating person stole my beater a few days back. I got another old road bike in poor shape and fixed her up with a nice flat bar. She has stem mounted friction shifters. At first I considered changing them, but after a few rides I think they are perfect for a flat bar. Easy to get to, easy to setup and they shift smoothly. Yay for old tech. Setting up my 27 speed deore shifters on my mtb was so much more irritating.


Lets hope this one is plain enough that it won't get stolen.

Velo Dog

I don't care much for stem shifters, maybe because I'm not used to them, but all my bikes but one are friction, either thumb or bar end. People look at me like I'm fighting technology, but I'm not. I've just used them for years and I like them.

Nakedbabytoes

My Pugsley has stock thumbie friction shifters, ironically my first MTB bike from Target had the same shifters(well, low end version). I like them personally, I never have half shifts or annoying chain rub.

Mobile 155

Not that I would never own a friction shifter ever again I doubt if I would ever get stem shifters ever again, down tube maybe. But that would only be on a classic old bike that grabbed me. And while I think the build was a nice build for a Next because it is a flat bar I would have gone with trigger shifters. Not a critique just a difference in opinion. I went for a few years between getting back into cycling and my first experience with index, Twist Grip, Trigger and Bifters was like someone being transported from the days of hand crank starters to paddle shifting Porches. I would build a bike with bar end shifters but more because I have never tried them. But that wasn't the topic, good job on a new replacement.

ThermionicScott 

I'm not big on stem shifters, either, but friction shifting is nice. It has a bad name: maybe we should call it "analog" shifting. It's like playing a violin or trombone -- once you get the feel, you wonder why you needed the detents before, and you have the freedom to readjust things if needed while riding.

spectastic

lightest bike in the world at 6 lbs has stem shifters (look it up).

for commuting purposes, stem shifters are fine. But during a community riding event last week, I sure would've liked to have my good bike with index shifting on some of those hills. I don't like how I have to reach down to the tube, and ruin my climbing rhythm.

krobinson103

never thought I'd prefer a bike that costs as much as the derailler on my mtb or the cool stop pads and holders on my shopping bike. But the 27 inch wheels, 32c tires, and the frame are REALLY confortable. This bike gets a shot at my 200km ride this weekend. The old obe with 28c and 29 inch wheels was too harsh.

ThermionicScott 

Oh man, I want to ride with the guy that brings along Girl Scout cookies!

MetalPedaler

I had bikes with stem shifters when I was a kid.....they always worked just fine; never gave me any trouble. Gotta love things that work!

Nightshade

All of my bikes (4) have friction shifters 'cause they are all older steel framed bikes.

If it ain't broke don't fix it and none of my bikes are broke.

hueyhoolihan

IMO that bike is more than attractive enough to get stolen... now if you put that charming clear plastic basket on the back (like it looks to be in the pic but is not) that might help.

krobinson103

Lol... only time I put baskets on bikes is for shopping or carrying kids. As for how my basket coveted bike looks... it cqn carry a stupid amount of stuff so function beats fashion everytime.


30kg of groceries or up to 40kg if kid. Since I have no car its REALLY useful. Also.x. I like girl scour cookies anyway!

MetalPedaler

Yeah, those cookies'll give you the scours!

krobinson103

I love my smart phones stupidly small 'keyboard'

Wilfred Laurier

i did
and
it doesnt

it has downtube shifters mounted slightly higher than normal on the down tube