Replacing broken downtube shifters - how?
07-22-18, 04:09 AM
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Replacing broken downtube shifters - how?
Hi,
I have an old racer, a Peugeot Gold special from 1986, that used downtube friction shifters from Simplex. Unfortunately one of the levers is broken and cannot be used. The bike has 2x6 gears.
My knowledge about this is very limited, why I hope for help / suggestions via this thread.
Can I change to any other downtube shifters I might find? Looking at eBay for instance? Can these be so called indexed downtube shifters, or do they have to be friction type ones? Does anyone have any good ones for recommendation?
Thankful for all replies,
/Lemon
07-22-18, 04:49 AM
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Friction is universal and can shift any number of speeds and any spacing so go with that, you can't miss.
Indexed shifting for 6speed is quite obsolete and as i know only shimano did that. There are a number of 6speed SIS DT shifters, but will only work in their setup (shimano freeheel, shimano RD from that era - will not work on Regina FW or Maillard FW with other RD's etc..)
Saying you had simplex shifter.. that was friction, so go with friction.
One thing to check: What style of DT shifter you use.. there are several types: the bosses are brazed on the frame most common, clamp-on shifters (for frames without bosses), weird central braze with an eye where the two shifters bolted to each-other through that eye (very old), and a number of stem shifters.
Go with the style your bike had. (i suspect either clamp style or two brazed bosses for the conventional DT shifter)
Indexed shifting for 6speed is quite obsolete and as i know only shimano did that. There are a number of 6speed SIS DT shifters, but will only work in their setup (shimano freeheel, shimano RD from that era - will not work on Regina FW or Maillard FW with other RD's etc..)
Saying you had simplex shifter.. that was friction, so go with friction.
One thing to check: What style of DT shifter you use.. there are several types: the bosses are brazed on the frame most common, clamp-on shifters (for frames without bosses), weird central braze with an eye where the two shifters bolted to each-other through that eye (very old), and a number of stem shifters.
Go with the style your bike had. (i suspect either clamp style or two brazed bosses for the conventional DT shifter)
Last edited by Asi; 07-22-18 at 04:54 AM.
07-22-18, 06:24 AM
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For clarification: Suntour also made indexed 6 speed downtube shifters. Both Shimano and Suntour shifters of the time could be set for indexing or friction. Good indexing is also dependent on the rear derailleur and the freewheel design. To switch to (good) indexing you would likely need derailleur and freewheel to match the shifters. Mixing and matching can be sketchy. I am currently using a suntour rear derailleur with shimano shifters and sunrace freewheel in 7 speed. It works with an alternative cable attachment at the derailleur. So I agree that you are best sticking with friction if you want to just replace the shifters. You should find tons of shifters on ebay. As long as they have a friction mode you are ok. Also check Rivendell for recommendations: their silver downtube shifters are much loved by many but they have other options..
07-22-18, 06:52 AM
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From what i can see, your bike has braze-on DT bosses, so any conventional DT friction shifter will work.
07-22-18, 08:18 AM
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Check if you have a bike coop nearby and you can buy a new shifter for a song.
07-26-18, 04:49 PM
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Thank you all for your great repliesand help.
Could I go for something like this?: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F202333713732
This is a picture of the shifters on my bike btw:
Could I go for something like this?: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F202333713732
This is a picture of the shifters on my bike btw:
07-26-18, 05:09 PM
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maybe; take apart what you have and measure the diameter and length of the boss. Those have to match the ebay item for it to work.
the ebay item does not appear to include the friction washer required, are yours still good? What is broken on yours?
Personally, I would get these: https://www.amazon.com/SHIFTER-ROAD-.../dp/B001CZQR0Y as they are complete with everything required.
the ebay item does not appear to include the friction washer required, are yours still good? What is broken on yours?
Personally, I would get these: https://www.amazon.com/SHIFTER-ROAD-.../dp/B001CZQR0Y as they are complete with everything required.
07-26-18, 06:53 PM
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Replacing downtube shifters is an easy task. But if you have never done it or taken friction shifters apart, it may not be that easy for you. In which case you should probably go to a shop.
You first need to take off the bad shift lever. It does not appear that those levers use a separate stop that fits over the square part of the boss. You can get from Rivendell, eBay, or maybe a local shop. You can probably use any older friction shifters. You just have to make sure they are complete with boss covers (if needed), washers, and the nylon spacers. If you don't understand any of this, or don't want to figure it out, take the bike to a shop.
And those cheap Amazon Sunrace shifters are clamp-ons, which means you won't be mounting them where the old ones are. They are also pretty bad quality. Bought a set for another bike and tossed them.
FWIW, I rode with various downtube friction shifters for decades and replaced them a few years ago with downtube index shifters.
John
You first need to take off the bad shift lever. It does not appear that those levers use a separate stop that fits over the square part of the boss. You can get from Rivendell, eBay, or maybe a local shop. You can probably use any older friction shifters. You just have to make sure they are complete with boss covers (if needed), washers, and the nylon spacers. If you don't understand any of this, or don't want to figure it out, take the bike to a shop.
And those cheap Amazon Sunrace shifters are clamp-ons, which means you won't be mounting them where the old ones are. They are also pretty bad quality. Bought a set for another bike and tossed them.
FWIW, I rode with various downtube friction shifters for decades and replaced them a few years ago with downtube index shifters.
John
07-26-18, 07:01 PM
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If its just the lever that's broken you should be able to find a matching unit on ebay.
I think you just unscrew the tension screw remove the washer (which has some protrusions to catch the base of the unit) and remove the broken lever. Replace the lever, washer, and tension screw. You should be good to go.
Can anyone tell the OP if all Simplex shifters had the same boss diameter and length? What should he be looking out for?
I think you just unscrew the tension screw remove the washer (which has some protrusions to catch the base of the unit) and remove the broken lever. Replace the lever, washer, and tension screw. You should be good to go.
Can anyone tell the OP if all Simplex shifters had the same boss diameter and length? What should he be looking out for?
07-26-18, 07:22 PM
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07-26-18, 08:36 PM
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OP needs pull off bad lever so we can see which boss he had. Not familiar with what Peugeot was using in 1986. As for Simplex levers, I know their Retrofriction shifters for that era were a bolt-on to a Shimano type boss. I would have suggested the Retrofriction levers but the cost these days is pretty prohibitive.
John
John
07-27-18, 02:47 AM
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Again, very informative and valuable replies for me. I read them all thoroughly and learn a great deal.
Thank you also for your suggestions and reviews of your own experiences of components.
I have never done an operation such as this one, replacing shifters, but I would very much like to try to in order to learn.
I will try to dismantle the broken shifter to see what kind of components I am dealing with and provide this information here in order to get forward. Removing the broken lever and finding out what type of boss, and find out whether it is only the lever that is broken.
/Lemonbike
Thank you also for your suggestions and reviews of your own experiences of components.
I have never done an operation such as this one, replacing shifters, but I would very much like to try to in order to learn.
I will try to dismantle the broken shifter to see what kind of components I am dealing with and provide this information here in order to get forward. Removing the broken lever and finding out what type of boss, and find out whether it is only the lever that is broken.
/Lemonbike
