Retrofriction Recommendations
02-02-10 | 03:32 PM
#26
South Carolina Ed
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,908
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From: Greer, SC
Bikes: Holdsworth custom, Macario Pro, Ciocc San Cristobal, Viner Nemo, Cyfac Le Mythique, Giant TCR, Tommasso Mondial, Cyfac Etoile
Yeah, I messed up putting in the link...Here it is. Thanks Bianchigirl.
https://www.rivbike.com/products/show...ube-kit/17-101
They fit right on Campagnolo compatible bosses without additional hardware.
https://www.rivbike.com/products/show...ube-kit/17-101
They fit right on Campagnolo compatible bosses without additional hardware.
02-02-10 | 06:21 PM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Knoxville, TN
Bikes: Klein
No. I have several sets of the Simplex "retrofriction" levers. The problem with them is that the retaining bolt on the clamp-on levers is a different threading than a braze-on boss, so you can't simply remove a clamp-on lever from the clamp to use it as a braze-on lever.
02-02-10 | 06:32 PM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
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I purchased what I hope are Suntour Sprint ratchet shifters that sced talked about. Very pretty and sleek. I have the clamp-on model but found this picture of what they look like.
I was wondering if I can just add these shifters to my braze-on bosses or would I need some sort of adapter?
I was wondering if I can just add these shifters to my braze-on bosses or would I need some sort of adapter?
02-02-10 | 07:50 PM
#29
Old fart
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
02-02-10 | 08:08 PM
#30
Senior Member
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Bikes: 1986 Alan Record Carbonio, 1985 Vitus Plus Carbone 7, 1984 Peugeot PSV, 1972 Line Seeker, 1986(est.) Medici Aerodynamic (Project), 1985(est.) Peugeot PY10FC
I have about half a dozen sets of retrofrictions here, a couple clamp-on and the rest braze-on. Some are marked "Simplex" some are marked "Spidel," some are even unmarked, some are the old "sunburst" logo, some are the newer teardrop shape. FWIW, all the braze-on sets I have fit on Campy style bosses.
I'm on my third set with three bikes already and I'm sure I'll get them again for some future classic project bike.......if there are still some to find out there.
Chombi
02-02-10 | 08:58 PM
#31
Bottecchia fan
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,520
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From: Colorado Springs, CO
Bikes: 1959 Bottecchia Milano-Sanremo (frame), 1966 Bottecchia Professional (frame), 1971 Bottecchia Professional (frame), 1973 Bottecchia Gran Turismo, 1974 Bottecchia Special, 1977 Bottecchia Special (frame), 1974 Peugeot UO-8
Hmmm...while everybody is talking Retrofriction, when did they first come out? Anybody got a timeline?
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1959 Bottecchia Milano-Sanremo(frame), 1966 Bottecchia Professional (frame), 1971 Bottecchia Professional (frame),
1973 Bottecchia Gran Turismo, 1974 Bottecchia Special, 1977 Bottecchia Special (frame),
1974 Peugeot UO-8, 1988 Panasonic PT-3500, 2002 Bianchi Veloce, 2004 Bianchi Pista
1959 Bottecchia Milano-Sanremo(frame), 1966 Bottecchia Professional (frame), 1971 Bottecchia Professional (frame),
1973 Bottecchia Gran Turismo, 1974 Bottecchia Special, 1977 Bottecchia Special (frame),
1974 Peugeot UO-8, 1988 Panasonic PT-3500, 2002 Bianchi Veloce, 2004 Bianchi Pista
02-02-10 | 09:01 PM
#32
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Knoxville, TN
Bikes: Klein
I have about half a dozen sets of retrofrictions here, a couple clamp-on and the rest braze-on. Some are marked "Simplex" some are marked "Spidel," some are even unmarked, some are the old "sunburst" logo, some are the newer teardrop shape. FWIW, all the braze-on sets I have fit on Campy style bosses.
02-02-10 | 09:13 PM
#33
Bianchi Goddess
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
OH I feel compelled to mention that I may own one of the ugliest pair of retrofriction (actually I think they may be more like micro ratchet) shifters ever made.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
02-02-10 | 09:22 PM
#34
Old fart
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
02-02-10 | 09:25 PM
#35
Old fart
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,402
Likes: 5,333
From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Ah, yes. The Huret ratcheting shifters. I have a set of those as well. They are ugly as sin, but they work just like the SunTour "Power Shifters" -- that is "very nicely."
02-02-10 | 10:06 PM
#36
Friction shifting will always work if assembled correctly. If levers are slipping it is because there is an error in assembly. Period!
I personally despise the Simplex retrofriction shifters as they require what I feel is an inordinate degree of motion to shift. When fitted with a Mavic SSC derailleur with a 6 block, the arc of motion that was required exceeded 135°. Both types of Campagnolo retrofriction levers I tried worked in less than 100°, in keeping with what I have on all of my other bikes. I suppose it is all a matter of getting used to the action.
I personally despise the Simplex retrofriction shifters as they require what I feel is an inordinate degree of motion to shift. When fitted with a Mavic SSC derailleur with a 6 block, the arc of motion that was required exceeded 135°. Both types of Campagnolo retrofriction levers I tried worked in less than 100°, in keeping with what I have on all of my other bikes. I suppose it is all a matter of getting used to the action.
02-03-10 | 09:16 AM
#37
02-03-10 | 09:09 PM
#38
十人十色
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,984
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From: Tokyo, Japan
I had a pair of Campag SR shifters that kept loosening, and others that didn't. However, once I discovered Simplex Retrofriction levers I changed all my bikes to them. I also have a pair of SunTour Power Shifters that were on my Dawes Atlantis and which never slipped. They ratchet on pulling back but are simply friction on the return. I'd recommend them, too.
02-04-10 | 06:29 AM
#39
Thread Starter
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[QUOTE=Dawes-man;10358886]Do you know why yours are slipping? If they have a screw in the middle, they might just need tightening.
I had a pair of Campag SR shifters that kept loosening, and others that didn't. However, once I discovered Simplex Retrofriction levers I changed all my bikes to them. I also have a pair of SunTour Power Shifters that were on my Dawes Atlantis and which never slipped. They ratchet on pulling back but are simply friction on the return. I'd recommend them, too.
Slippage is due to the screw loosening even after I tighten them. I'm hoping the ratchet would keep me in gear better.
I had a pair of Campag SR shifters that kept loosening, and others that didn't. However, once I discovered Simplex Retrofriction levers I changed all my bikes to them. I also have a pair of SunTour Power Shifters that were on my Dawes Atlantis and which never slipped. They ratchet on pulling back but are simply friction on the return. I'd recommend them, too.
Slippage is due to the screw loosening even after I tighten them. I'm hoping the ratchet would keep me in gear better.
02-04-10 | 08:10 AM
#40
They're certainly not much to look at.
02-04-10 | 09:40 AM
#43
02-04-10 | 10:23 AM
#45
Senior Member
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02-04-10 | 11:27 AM
#46
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
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Bikes: 1986 Alan Record Carbonio, 1985 Vitus Plus Carbone 7, 1984 Peugeot PSV, 1972 Line Seeker, 1986(est.) Medici Aerodynamic (Project), 1985(est.) Peugeot PY10FC
We need to have "The ugliest C&V components survey" asap! It could be very interesting.
I'm ready to vote for "Ofmega Pink Plastic rear derailleur".
Chombi
I'm ready to vote for "Ofmega Pink Plastic rear derailleur".
Chombi
03-02-10 | 03:38 PM
#47
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,681
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From: St. Louis, MO
Hey guys... I just picked up a pair of the Simplex retro friction shifters and was wondering if they normally will bolt straight to common friction DT clamps? My Super Course has (I think) the original Simplex shifters/clamp...will the retro frictions bolt straight to these or will I need a new clamp???
TIA
-Mark in St. Louis
TIA
-Mark in St. Louis
03-02-10 | 04:21 PM
#48
Larger Chainring
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,037
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From: Corvallis, Oregon
Bikes: 1988 Schwinn Circuit. Bike-Boom-Puegeot. First "real bike" Trek 720 Hybrid in gross disrepair.
EDIT: OK, phallic as all get out
not necessarily that ugly but keeping with the phallic theme, I present "The Pecker"
03-02-10 | 06:38 PM
#49
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
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From: North, Ga.
Bikes: 3Rensho-Aerodynamics, Bernard Hinault Look - 1986 tour winner, Guerciotti, Various Klein's & Panasonic's
Oh man, I really like those Ofmega plastic deraileurs. The design is sharp & they function as good as any mechanical of that vertical paragraph design. I have a black one on my indoor training bike. I have a NOS pink one on my night stand. It looks like some type of kinky sex toy. I never paid much attention to Ofmega in the 80's but the company made some great stuff.
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