Originally Posted by
somebikeguy
What about 1x(<11) ? Do you think 1x9, 1x10 would play nicer with downtube friction or index shifters?
It's just a matter of finding the parts. I'm not sure what the newest indexed downtube shifter would be. Probably 8 speed. And maybe (maaaaybe) you could use bar-end shifters as downtube shifters--just take the lever off the bar-end bracket. Base2 already answered for friction levers.