Hi Guys,

Do any of you experts recognize this Suntour shifter (currently connected to a Suntour XC Accushift plus 7 speed derailer).

Specifically, can it be set to friction mode so that it can work with new derailers and cassettes?

see that switch,... that it for friction.

Are you sure? I understand these things came in multiple versions - some supported friction shifting and others had settings for different numbers of gears. Are you sure this one has a friction setting?

Yes, your pix shows two settings (1) '7' and (2) 'F7'.

7 is seven speed.

F7 is ratcheting friction.

Thanks guys, I couldn't read what the other setting was. Does anyone have any recommendations or personal experience with these.?I think they look like an excellent alternative to expensive STI shifters, especially for a cyclocross bike. Any thoughts?

I used a set for a couple years on my commuter. Mine were friction only. I liked them well enough functionality-wise. Just couldn't get used to the esthetics though, so I ended up swapping them out for barcons. Gave the commands to a friend who seems to like them.

I think those would go very nicely on my Bianchi commuter! After all, the rest of my drivetrain is Accushift plus stuff...

I've been pretty happy with Suntour Accushift stuff on both of the bikes I've used it on, so I'd imagine those would make a nice inexpensive rider (especially for 'cross or commuting.) Or, if you don't want to use them, you can always send them to me...

+1. Unlike brifters, they don't break. Bah. They just run and run, like barcons. And if you ride predominantly
in the hoods, they are always right there. Where's the fun? To add insult to injury, they will index eight cogs
very nicely with the last position the ghost position. Custom spaced Shimano cassettes are a snap to assemble
once you know the spacings, and so long as you use a decent Suntour Accushift derailleur you are good to go.

Please PM me when you tire of them. My wife loves the bathroom nightlights I make from them when other
people throw them away.

Those look really nifty!

Oh, well, it looks like someone else will get to enjoy these.

They were attached to an old steel Bianchi Axis that sold for $150.25. That would have been a nice bike, but someone else wanted it a little more than me.

That's almost the same as my Bianchi Axis! I've never seen another one like it before. Mine has a few upgraded parts and is Celeste, though. It is a nice bike, but I wouldn't lose any sleep over not getting it. I paid $120 for mine locally, and it has a nicer set of components on it (except for the command shifters). I don't know if I would pay $220 (including shipping) for that one, though.

I agree, a steel Bianchi Axis is a nice frame and would make a fine platform for a commuting, touring and occasional 'cross bike. And I really would have liked the chance to try out those Suntour command shifters, but overall that bike wasn't something to get into a silly bidding war over.

I wish Suntour had had a chance to carry on with the development and refinement of those command shifters. I think there's a market for them.

I'm glad you posted them! I came into possession of a Univega that had been stripped of bars and brakes but still had those shifters attached. I'd never seen anything like them and was trying to picture how they were placed. Needless to say, the Univega is just hanging in my basement, waiting for attention.