cost effective shifter levers for an older road frame. ideas?
04-06-07, 01:12 PM
#1
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cost effective shifter levers for an older road frame. ideas?
I am trying to build a cheap road bike for my girlfriend. I have a nice frame and a wheelset to go with it, but I don't have shift levers. The "correct" Shimano STI levers that should probably go on this go for $50-75 on ebay, which is basically what the frame cost me.
What is the cheapest way to get some shifters on this bike? It's got 8speed components. Do bike shops sell down tube shifters anymore?
What is the cheapest way to get some shifters on this bike? It's got 8speed components. Do bike shops sell down tube shifters anymore?
04-06-07, 01:26 PM
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you can get down tube shifters for cheap on ebay. You could also go with barcons for a few more clams.
04-06-07, 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Dirtdrop
Because they're six speed!
04-06-07, 05:19 PM
#6
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I'm sure my local shop has some ,I'll check the prices for you. Finding a good deal can put you in a wierd mind set. Half the time I spend more on tires than I did the bike.
04-06-07, 05:32 PM
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I have a set of shimano 600 8 speed downtube shifters, that I don't think I am going to use. The only time I intend on using 8 speed drivetrains in on touring bikes but I would use barcons plus I just bought a set of 8 speed barcons.... if your other options prove to be inadequate shoot me a PM.
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04-06-07, 07:24 PM
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There certainly are fates worse than friction shifting. I'd jump on those 105 shifters that huerro pointed out.
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04-06-07, 09:13 PM
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Rivendell sells NEW friction shifters on their website that work well with any drivetrain, from five cogs to ten cogs. Less than $40 a set, and lighter and faster shifting than any STI shifter you can buy. And, they allow a "mix and match" drivetrain...you can use "Brand A" and "Brand B" stuff on the same drivetrain and still get flawless shifting.
04-07-07, 09:24 AM
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Non-indexed SunTour ratchet barcons!
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
04-07-07, 07:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Dirtdrop
If you want her to actually ride the bike, get her some 8 speed shifters.
I prefer friction myself. Both of my road bikes are friction. The Gitane has Simplex retrofrictions and the Peugeot has Suntour barcons.
04-09-07, 10:54 AM
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Suntour Power Ratchets. Best friction shifter ever, no matter where mounted on a bike - stem, downtube, bar ends - they work like magic.
04-09-07, 12:45 PM
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+1 on the Suntour Power Ratchets. I've got one set of bar-end Ratchets on my Grand Prix and need another for ther Bridgestone.
04-09-07, 01:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Dirtdrop
The reason I say that is because of my experience with my wife and daughter. Neither of them is willing to ride a bike with friction shifting. ...
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
04-09-07, 02:04 PM
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Death fork? Naaaah!!
Originally Posted by John E
Have they even tried? My wife has zero interest in things mechanical and wouldn't consider trying to drive a car with a manual gearbox, but she can easily operate bicycle friction shifters and uses the gears to good advantage.
My 12-year-old daughter ALWAYS had index twistgrip shifters on her previous bikes and took to the friction Huret drivetrain of the Ficelle like a duck to water-DT shifters, no less!
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04-09-07, 03:03 PM
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I prefer indexed but friction isn't bad. Once you're used to it, you don't need a click to tell you what to do. I don't like DT shifters though. I'd take a set of non indexed bar ends over indexed DT shifters any day.
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04-09-07, 05:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Leigh30
Suntour Power Ratchets. Best friction shifter ever, no matter where mounted on a bike - stem, downtube, bar ends - they work like magic.
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04-09-07, 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by cyclotoine
Have you tried simplex retrofriction? Maybe it has something to do with snob appeal but the uninhibited smooth operation is unbeatable in my opinion.
04-09-07, 07:24 PM
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Downtubes are your cheapest option by far.
