Originally Posted by
mattbur
I just bought this bike Saturday. ...
Also has bar end shifter for rear and friction shifter on down tube for front chain ring. The bar end shifter is a first for me and so far I like that...but I don't care for the friction shifter and will investigate better options for that this winter,...
The bar end shifters, the front is typically friction too. You might be able to find the part that could convert your existing friction front shifter to the bar end position which would be the cheapest option. Since some people do not use front derailleurs, occasionally you see a front bar end shifter on Ebay for not too much becasue teh rear ones are more in demand.
Assuming you have a triple crankset, a friction bar end shifter for the front is pretty easy to get used to. The middle chainring position you eventually get used to knowing exactly where to put the lever for that gear with muscle memory.
Originally Posted by
mattbur
Here's a pic of my Surly Disc Trucker.
..., the other thing is the Presta air valve. I've never had or used them and can't figure out how to get the air in. I'll end up going to you-tube for a Presta video.
I did not see a photo, not sure if it is my computer or if it is missing.
Presta is pretty easy to figure out. I prefer Presta over Shrader.