Is there any reason to switch out these:


for these?

I think no. The sun has set on friction shifters for me, but when I used them the Suntour Power dt shifters were my favorite.

Yeah keep the power ratchet shifters, i love those things.

I'm using them right now and love them compared to normal suntour friction shifters

I vote no as well.

It looks like a downgrade if anything, so I wouldn't unless you're looking to bring it back to original. I had the Suntour power ratchet bar end shifters, which I believe are exactly the same mechanism except on the bar ends, and loved them.

If you do take them off - Send them my way...

Your shifters are fine, but that joint between the down tube lug and head tube might be suspect. Maybe it's just the photo.

Joint is fine, but the pinstriping isn't too clean. Thanks for the responses!

Keep the Powershifters, remove the black covers and squirt some lube inside.

Answer is No. Those are one of Suntour's best friction offerings. Ratchet mechanisms give it the edge in feel.

If they work fine, the only reason why one might consider changing out those Suntour power ratchets would be uhmmmm......they kinda look clunky compared to maybe a....uhmmm... Simplex clamped on retrofriction shifters??

Chombi

The power shifters are the best I've ever used. Slightly bulky look, but the best. I have the bar end version on my Fuji. Would love to find an ultra clean clamp-on set for a future build.

In terms of function, did the Suntour power shifters provide actual differential resistance between down and up shifting as Simplex retrofriction do or did they just provide a ratcheting tactile feel to the rider? I do understand how just providing a tactile/ratcheting feel would help with shifting, as IIRC, I did enjoy such with my former Peugeot's original Simplex stem shifters. which seems to be similar to Sutour's Power shifters.

Chombi

Can't answer your question Chombi. No experience with Simplex. All I remember is an Altus rear derailleur feeling like a Dura Ace when I clamped on a set of the Power Shifters. Really!!

Yes, they do have less resistance in the same manner as the Simplex Retrofriction. My personal preference is for the Simplex, but I'll take the Power shifters over standard friction shifters any day of the week.

Keep the Power Ratchets.
Funnily enough, though, I have what I think is an identical pair of your non-ratcheting shifters (I'm not looking at them right now so I can't say for sure they're the same, but they're close) that I'd been thinking about putting on the "ISO and For Trade" thread, in hopes of exchanging for a set of Power Ratchets. But I figured "nah, no one here would make that trade," and never bothered. Looks like I was right, too.

No!