Hi Everyone,

I've got a great 80's (I think!) bike at home, that I'd like to start riding a little more. Its comfortable and durable (20 years and the original components all work great). Bike details down the bottom, but my problems/questions first:

1. Seatpost doesn't clamp in place
It has a 26mm seatpost, with a clamp built into the frame (built into the lug). I can tighten the clamp closed, and the seatpost is firmish, but will slip down when I sit on it. The other seatposts I have at home are all 27.2 and don't fit. I'm assuming that this bike takes a post somewhere between 26 and 27.2... Any ideas what I should get? The seat tube has a sticker reading "Champion Tange Number 5". Anything else I'm missing here?

2. Friction shifters
I can't seem to get used to these babies - downtube shifting is annoying enough, but friction shifting frustrates me. My other bikes are all indexed, and I usually ride Shimano STI shifters and enjoy them. What's the best thing to do?
- Stick with the downtube friction shifters and put up with it, ya big wuss
- Get some indexed shifters (how? what do I need to replace? can I mount them somewhere else other than downtube?)
- Get some STI shifters, and replace the other components (eeek, I'm guessing expensive?)

OK... the bike details.
Europa, its an Australian bike, early 80's I guess.
Chrome-Moly steel lugged frame
Suntour ARX shifters, front and rear derailleurs, chainrings and cranks. 12-speed
Dia-compe brakes and levers
Araya rims
- any ideas where this bike would have sat in the lineup (my guess would be a mid-range bike)

Oh yeah, and my last question... I find the brakes a little soft. This is the only bike I have ever ridden with standard reach brakes - is this just normal? They don't seem too dangerous, but I can't brake hard enough to skid.

Thanks in Advance!!

Damian

Hello Damian,

I can give you some advice on Question #2 for you:

Try a Campagnolo rear derailer with a Regina rear freewheel. Use either standard Campagnolo friction shifters, or either Shimano Light Action (for those on a budget who want Retrofriction) or Simplex Retrofriction levers.

If you must have indexed, I suggest you try some of the late Suntour 7-speed index equipment. They're considerably less fidgety and prone to wear then Shimano's current Hyperglide. It's also a tad easier to adapt them to an older roadbike that may already have, let's say, Suntour Cyclone.

Take care,

-Kurt

Damian,

Regarding the seatpost: Use a set of calipers and mike the inside diameter. Seatposts are sold in 0.2mm variences, so you're looking at 26.2, 26.4, 26.6, 26.8 or 27.0 as possibilities. 26.8 seems to be common, both my Fuji and Rossin used 27.0 posts.

Going to indexed shifting: I'm having an extremely good time with the Dura-Ace six speed indexed downtube shifter on the Rossin (left is standard friction, I'm only running a double chainwheel), and a 6400-series Shimano 600 rear derailleur. This, I believe was an early SIS setup, mid/late 80's. It's real simple, the racheting is built into the lever base, and it screws right on to the brazed-on mounting posts.

It's still downtube (my other bike, a Raleigh has early 60's Campy Gran Sport, so I'm real comfortable with old fashioned friction shifting), but works REAL easy. I can now understand why it caught on so well back in the mid 80's. I'll be looking for a couple of sets of these levers for future projects when I don't want to mess with brifters (convenient, but I'm still not completely sold on them).

Sykerocker
Deranged Few M/C

The best way to convert is to first become wealthy enough that dropping $200.00 on a set of shifters doesn't phase you. Unfortunately, I'm still working on that detail, and after 29 years, am still sold on bar-cons (aka bar-end shifters), as offering the best combination of ergonomics, utility, durability and affordability. A good set of bar-cons, a quality derailleur, proper adjustment, the proper gearing for the ride, and a brain that can figure out what you need to do 1 second in advance, and you lose nothing to people with STI.

Hi Damian,
May I suggest?...
1. OK, you know that has to be fixed, follow previous advice. Also, take the clamp's bolt out and check it for stripped threads - that could cause the slipping, especially if the seatpost is original and thus a correct size.
2. Before you go changing things around, give downtube frictions a good try. It takes numerous rides to get the exact feel, but they are quite simple and work well when set up with clean, adjusted derailleurs. Plus, that lets you keep some variety in your bike collection and save some money.
3. The long-reach Dia-compes may have more flex than short ones, but don't overlook the pads. Maybe some new Koolstops would help.
Best wishes!

Yup! I am delighted with the nonindexed ratchet barcons on my UO-8.