Originally Posted by
RiddleOfSteel
The spring-assist and not-parallel-to-the-down-tube is a high-end Shimano down tube (left) lever feature. Dura-Ace and 600 (6400-era) at the very least, sometimes 105. It confused me at first, but then I read up and it made sense.
I'm so smitten by the ease of use and installation of the DA7700 and DA7800/7900 down tube shifters, I even figured out how to mount them on Cannondales, Kleins, and piggy-back mounts where you can't "rotate them against the spring" the 270-degrees needed.
Definitely made sense to me after I figured it out.