Ratchetting down tube shifters vs. standard downtube shifters...any diff?
06-02-12, 07:19 PM
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Ratchetting down tube shifters vs. standard downtube shifters...any diff?
Can I swap them out for standards if I don't like the ratchetting?
06-02-12, 07:41 PM
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Yes, but I think you will like the ratcheting ones. I have found that feature makes friction shifting (be it down tube, stem or thumb) to be awesome.
06-02-12, 07:55 PM
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Ratcheting shifters only resist movement in one direction. They hold their position against the RD return spring, but present almost no extra force when shifting against the spring. The result is that your shifts take about the same amount of force in either direction - easy upshifts and easy downshifts - rather than easy upshifting and harder downshifting, with regular friction shifters. This also allows you to make them very tight without affecting ease of use, and - at least in my experience, resist loosening up much better. Nothing is more annoying than being stuck in your highest gear because your shifters won't stay in place. It cost people races when they were still common.
At least according to the stories, pro racers would toss out their high end campy friction shifters for a set of simplex retrofriction levers, because they worked so much better.
At least according to the stories, pro racers would toss out their high end campy friction shifters for a set of simplex retrofriction levers, because they worked so much better.
Last edited by Nerull; 06-02-12 at 07:59 PM.
06-02-12, 09:00 PM
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Haven't used downtube shifters for a long time - my favorites were SunTour Power Shifters - ratchetting. The Power Shifter thumb shifters were nice, too.
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06-02-12, 09:31 PM
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You can always get rid of the ratchet system, but I've never found anyone who said that straight friction levers were nicer than retro-ratchet levers. As the others noted, these are basically friction shifters, with a ratchet that bypasses the friction clutch, to better equalize the force needed to shift against the RD return spring to that of shifting with it.
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06-03-12, 01:09 AM
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Yep, ratcheting shifters work great
related note;
The old Suntour power ratchet types feel smoother with more definitive ratcheting than modern shimano supposed 'light action' shifters
leading me to have a habit or replacing my shimano stuff with old suntour whenever I can
why?? doesn't shimano copy the old mehanism design? patents must be over by now right?
'light action' feels more like, standard friction with sand contaminating it for one direction....
related note;
The old Suntour power ratchet types feel smoother with more definitive ratcheting than modern shimano supposed 'light action' shifters
leading me to have a habit or replacing my shimano stuff with old suntour whenever I can
why?? doesn't shimano copy the old mehanism design? patents must be over by now right?
'light action' feels more like, standard friction with sand contaminating it for one direction....
06-03-12, 02:27 AM
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Simplex made a down tube lever that offered a counterbalance spring,
in opposition, to the return spring in the rear derailleur, itself..
I found a Shimano bar end, as well.. On the front D seemed a better use.
the Simplex bar ends.. that are harder to find Now,
& cable pull ratios have changed
new slant panto design RD's need more cable ..
in opposition, to the return spring in the rear derailleur, itself..
I found a Shimano bar end, as well.. On the front D seemed a better use.
the Simplex bar ends.. that are harder to find Now,
& cable pull ratios have changed
new slant panto design RD's need more cable ..
06-03-12, 03:42 AM
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Ratcheting shifters are a definite improvement.
Countersprung is better again. Any decent Shimano DT levers are countersprung, AFAIK. And the indexing can of course be switched off.
Countersprung is better again. Any decent Shimano DT levers are countersprung, AFAIK. And the indexing can of course be switched off.
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06-03-12, 09:43 AM
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I have a pair of suntours, the newer dia compe silver shifters (ratcheting), and a couple of sets of shimano SIS 7 speed index/friction ones.
I've used all and still prefer the indexing shimanos (7 speed shifters, 8 speed cassette -- works great). The ratcheting ones have good feel and work just fine, but I prefer the quickness of indexing >> friction.
I've used all and still prefer the indexing shimanos (7 speed shifters, 8 speed cassette -- works great). The ratcheting ones have good feel and work just fine, but I prefer the quickness of indexing >> friction.
06-03-12, 10:54 AM
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I used to use simple friction levers for many years. I carry a spare DT lever on tour and that one is a suntour power ratchet. I think they are better but they are hard to find used.
If you dont like them, you can get an old set of friction levers fairly easily.
If you dont like them, you can get an old set of friction levers fairly easily.
