What is your favorite friction shifter?
09-10-13, 10:51 AM
#1
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What is your favorite friction shifter?
Ok, I'll admit, I really like friction shifting a LOT
what do you consider to be the best friction shifter?
what do you consider to be the best friction shifter?
09-10-13, 10:59 AM
#2
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I like this version of Superbe/Cyclone. I'm not sure of the model number.
09-10-13, 11:03 AM
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Having finally had a chance to try some Simplex retrofrictions, they would now be at the top of my list. So smoooth.
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09-10-13, 11:03 AM
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SunTour "barcon" ratcheting bar end shifter for me.
09-10-13, 11:03 AM
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Suntour Sprint/ Rivendell Silver shifter. Paired with a modern chain and freewheel, shifting is a joy.
09-10-13, 11:05 AM
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Simplex Retrofriction silky smooth and flawless shifting...
second would be the Suntour Ratchet version
second would be the Suntour Ratchet version
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09-10-13, 11:15 AM
#7
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I wish I could find a better picture of these- The Sachs/Huret downtube shifters as found on the 1985 Trek 620 and 1986 Schwinn Passage:
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09-10-13, 11:24 AM
#8
What's this lever do?
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Originally Posted by Phil_gretz
SunTour "barcon" ratcheting bar end shifter for me.
Originally Posted by fender1
Suntour Sprint/ Rivendell Silver shifter. Paired with a modern chain and freewheel, shifting is a joy.
09-10-13, 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by chapel
Is that these?
I've heard the same. How are they 'ratcheting'?
I've heard the same. How are they 'ratcheting'?
No, the Sprint shifters were friction and on the downtube. With the listed conversion pods, they're a hybridized bar end shifter. I suspect that they're very nice. I haven't tried them.
The Barcon was designed to fit exclusively on the bar end. The similar mechanism was found on the larger SunTour PowerShifter down tube and stem shifter mounts. An internal ratchet "clicked" as you pull back on the shifter...
Do a Google Image search on the SunTour barcon...
09-10-13, 11:47 AM
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barcon:
Power Shifter:
Power Shifter:
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09-10-13, 11:53 AM
#11
What's this lever do?
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Originally Posted by Phil_gretz
No, the Sprint shifters were friction and on the downtube. With the listed conversion pods, they're a hybridized bar end shifter. I suspect that they're very nice. I haven't tried them.
The Barcon was designed to fit exclusively on the bar end. The similar mechanism was found on the larger SunTour PowerShifter down tube and stem shifter mounts. An internal ratchet "clicked" as you pull back on the shifter...
Do a Google Image search on the SunTour barcon...
The Barcon was designed to fit exclusively on the bar end. The similar mechanism was found on the larger SunTour PowerShifter down tube and stem shifter mounts. An internal ratchet "clicked" as you pull back on the shifter...
Do a Google Image search on the SunTour barcon...
09-10-13, 11:56 AM
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But isn't the OP asking about friction shifters? I think we need to clarify whether he means friction or retro friction.
I don't have a pair in use but I think the for their beauty and simplicity of the Victory or Triomphe shifters would be my pic.
These have to one of the ugliest shifters made... but they work great! Right now they are on my Trek 2000
I don't have a pair in use but I think the for their beauty and simplicity of the Victory or Triomphe shifters would be my pic.
Originally Posted by The Golden Boy
I wish I could find a better picture of these- The Sachs/Huret downtube shifters as found on the 1985 Trek 620 and 1986 Schwinn Passage:
These have to one of the ugliest shifters made... but they work great! Right now they are on my Trek 2000
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09-10-13, 12:10 PM
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^There is an internal spring in the shifter which counteracts the pull from the derailleur spring. Makes for a really nice smooth shifting action. And they look great, too.
+1 on simplex retrofriction.
+1 on simplex retrofriction.
09-10-13, 12:13 PM
#15
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Originally Posted by chapel
what's retrofriction?
https://www.classiclightweights.co.uk...omponents.html
Oh wait, they suck. I need another pair, so if you find some, PM me for my address and send them to me for proper disposal
09-10-13, 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Drakonchik
Suntour Command shifters in all their iterations.
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09-10-13, 12:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Bianchigirll
These have to one of the ugliest shifters made... but they work great! Right now they are on my Trek 2000
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09-10-13, 01:06 PM
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Originally Posted by chapel
what's retrofriction?
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...friction-model
Based on your questions in this thread, I'm betting on the latter.
09-10-13, 02:26 PM
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I've never tried the Simplex retrofriction shifters but I really like Suntour powershifters.
09-10-13, 02:44 PM
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the smoothest i've owned were brazed shimano 600 arabesque on an '81 univega. they were the prettiest too.
09-10-13, 02:53 PM
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Originally Posted by peter_d
I've never tried the Simplex retrofriction shifters but I really like Suntour powershifters.
09-10-13, 02:57 PM
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I've been happy with every DT friction shifter I ever used. Suntour's straightforward shifter is nice I dunno' what model it might be. So is DuraAce. I've got a newfangled ratcheting shifter on the Centurion. It works fine but I'm not sure I'm used to the asymmetric action. Heck, I even like Simplex Delrin (no they haven't broken after 40 years on the UO8), but admittedly the metal Simplex ones are also nice. I've got some switchable index/friction Suntour levers on the Bianchi's braze-on studs and they also work great in friction mode. What's not to like?
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09-10-13, 03:04 PM
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Of course I can't find a pic of them but I can't believe there hasn't been a mention of the CampI C-Rec Doppler shifter.
gleaned from the bay, however I am not sure if these are regular friction or the retro "Doppler" style
gleaned from the bay, however I am not sure if these are regular friction or the retro "Doppler" style
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Last edited by Bianchigirll; 09-10-13 at 03:11 PM.
