Hi, I'm new to this site and have been riding bikes my whole life. I started building an old cannondale that has downtube shifters. My problem is that I don't have the shifters or derailed. I was told at my local bike shop that the shifters have to be the same make as the derailer?? Can someone explain to me what exactly I should buy,and where to look for the parts? Keep in mind the cannondale has a fat frame.

Thanks

Can your LBS not get the parts you need? The shifters do not have to be the same brand as the derailleur as long as they have the same pull ratio 1:1 or 2:1 or just go friction....... I assume you are going with indexed shifting?

I think they don't have the parts to be honest. It's a high end store so either they don't have the parts or don't care.

Hi mtinn, welcome to the forums. I agree with what Capecoddersaid. your trying to build an index shifting system?

tell us just a bit more about what you are doing. did you get the bare frame? are you using 7 or 8 spd? depending on the age of the frame you may be stuck with 6 or 7 spd.

as for the shifters, derailleurs and freewheel/cassette as long as everything matches the number of speeds, ie 6spd freewheel, RD and shifter you should be fine. most pre 8spd shimano RDs will work with 6 or 7spd systems but one you get to 8spd plus it has to be the correct RD for the shifter speeds.

I hope I did not confuse you further