Your Favorite Downtube Shifters. Post some pics
06-26-16, 05:14 AM
#101
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I didn't go through the whole thread, but I have to add these because you don't see them too often and they are a bit elegant:
[IMG]
P1020910, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]
P1020910, on Flickr[/IMG]
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06-26-16, 03:47 PM
#103
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I was going to guess that one lever was for shifting and one was for tensioning the pulley cage, but then I checked pictures from last fall. I was a little surprised that one lever is for the front derailleur, and as indicated, the cable is routed on the right side of the bike.
Yeah.. I'm surprised.
Here's a photo of this bike, showing the drivetrain. See attached file.
Steve in Peoria
06-26-16, 05:21 PM
#104
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Suntour Superbe Pro SL-SB00
There is indeed a set of friction-only Sprint or Superbe levers with the ratcheting mechanism. I believe they are the LD-4850 shifters, though I am not sure (and can't find on Velobase either). Very elegant. I don't have a pic, but I do have an NOS set in my storage locker.
Here's a pic of the beautiful friction-only (non-ratcheting) Superbe levers I have on my girlfiriend's Atala build (currently stored 5000km away), certainly my favourite to look at, and perfectly functional:
Here's a pic of the beautiful friction-only (non-ratcheting) Superbe levers I have on my girlfiriend's Atala build (currently stored 5000km away), certainly my favourite to look at, and perfectly functional:
I am thoroughly enjoying this thread. Some of those levers are just plain beautiful. Keep them coming!
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06-26-16, 05:24 PM
#105
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Not actually my faves, but black Suntour Edge are cool:
Last edited by artclone; 06-27-16 at 10:59 AM.
06-26-16, 05:31 PM
#106
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i have faves of course (campy), but, in the words of the great Will Rogers, "i never met a set of down tube shifters I didn't like."
to me, dt shifters define vintage. good thing i love them.
to me, dt shifters define vintage. good thing i love them.
06-26-16, 08:06 PM
#107
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only have a couple downtube shifted bikes
On this classic. 1989 Centurion Ironman Expert
On this classic. 1989 Centurion Ironman Expert
06-27-16, 09:56 AM
#108
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On my 1970 Fuji Newest I installed the final generation Suntour Ratcheting Friction levers model SL-SB00. As pictured I used one of those NOS Huret modified clamps (sold on eBay) as all SL-SB00 sets I've come across are designed for braze-on installation. Albeit they did make a clamp-on version per the catalogs but I have not found a set yet! Noticed the major difference between the LD-4850's and these later SL-SB00's is in the labeling. BTW, I'm shifting a 1981 Suntour Suberbe Pro RD-3100.
I am thoroughly enjoying this thread. Some of those levers are just plain beautiful. Keep them coming!
I am thoroughly enjoying this thread. Some of those levers are just plain beautiful. Keep them coming!
I guess it makes sense that they'd use that ratcheting system- as it was better than most any other ratcheting system. I just wouldnt think a group that already had Accushift in place- unless these came between the logo change but before the hardware changed.
https://equusbicycle.com/bike/suntour...Pro-page-2.jpg
No- they were out at the same time... Interesting...
I took the band clamp from my "New Suntour Superbe" shifters to use my Sprint shifters on a bike without bosses.
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06-27-16, 10:48 AM
#109
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I have these on a couple of bikes. Hard to beat,as far as friction shifters go..
Campagnolo tried to replicate the Simplex units. They're almost as good, in my opinion.
7402 shifters are my favs for indexed gear levers.
Campagnolo tried to replicate the Simplex units. They're almost as good, in my opinion.
7402 shifters are my favs for indexed gear levers.
06-27-16, 03:57 PM
#111
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Haven't seen too many Simplex.....these ones have been on this bike since I got it in 1973 from a friend who got the bike new in 1969 or 70.....unusual in that they hadn't been replaced by the plastic ones yet....
These came off my first 10-speed - a gas pipe Chiorda from about 1971.....pretty nice for an entry level bike.
These came off my first 10-speed - a gas pipe Chiorda from about 1971.....pretty nice for an entry level bike.
06-27-16, 04:03 PM
#112
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Those are freaking cool!
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09-11-23, 06:20 PM
#113
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What's not to like?
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09-11-23, 11:02 PM
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No such thing, can't stand em, no use for them. 
Except maybe on this.
Except maybe on this.
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09-12-23, 08:15 AM
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09-12-23, 11:23 AM
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09-12-23, 01:21 PM
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I'm surprised the Rivendell Silver shifters haven't turned up yet! This is from 2006, when I first installed them on my long-since-sold Joe Starck-built Road Custom -
09-12-23, 02:24 PM
#121
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Wow 11 year old thread back to life, but still good. All my bikes with down tube shifter work well, but my favorites, which has more to do with tactile feel, and looks are these 2.
Tim
Suntour Superbe Pro, 84 Schwinn Supersport
Modolo Carbon fiber, 85 Trek 670
Tim
Suntour Superbe Pro, 84 Schwinn Supersport
Modolo Carbon fiber, 85 Trek 670
09-12-23, 07:51 PM
#122
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The Riv Silvers are very nice
the Campagnolo Doppler shifters take it to a whole different level.
Silky smooth. I have several sets including a non-catalog RH shifter with increased cable take up for a wide range rear derailleur.
/markp
the Campagnolo Doppler shifters take it to a whole different level.
Silky smooth. I have several sets including a non-catalog RH shifter with increased cable take up for a wide range rear derailleur.
/markp
09-13-23, 09:31 AM
#123
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I'm only familiar with the classic & basic Campy levers.
Steve in Peoria
09-13-23, 09:40 AM
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Speaking of classic and basic Campy levers... there was a long period when all (edit: "many") of the good bikes used the same Campy Nuovo Record gear, or maybe some Super Record bits too.
One way to distinguish a bike was to pantograph some fun graphics... usually the brand name or logo... into some of the parts.
The Mino Denti bike shown above did that, and my Olmo Competition, circa 1982, does it too...
Olmo might have gone overboard, though. The brake levers are panto'ed, the crank arms and rings are panto'd, the stem is panto'ed, the seatpost is panto'ed,
Kinda ridiculous, but still kinda fun.
Steve in Peoria
One way to distinguish a bike was to pantograph some fun graphics... usually the brand name or logo... into some of the parts.
The Mino Denti bike shown above did that, and my Olmo Competition, circa 1982, does it too...
Olmo might have gone overboard, though. The brake levers are panto'ed, the crank arms and rings are panto'd, the stem is panto'ed, the seatpost is panto'ed,
Kinda ridiculous, but still kinda fun.
Steve in Peoria
09-13-23, 09:59 AM
#125
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The Simplex Retrofriction mechanism is a favorite. I have a mint set of the coke spoon version for admiring, a set shifting 3x7
and the Delrin version shifting 3x10
and the Delrin version shifting 3x10
