apmason

I have a ghost e-bike with a Bosch mid-drive. It is a 1x8 setup. I've had two breaks in my derailleur cable both in the index shifter. 10,000 mi on the bike not a big deal but I'm always looking to improve. Randomly started considering a friction shifter instead if I have to replace my shifter down the road. I'm wondering if anybody is using a friction shifter instead of an index shifter on their e-bike. I don't think that the eight speed cassette would present an issue. After doing some digging it also doesn't look like the torque should be a major problem. I already back off my pedaling when I go to shift and I imagine it would be the same with a friction shifter as with an index one. I would love to hear from anybody with actual experience using a friction shifter with an e-bike. Thanks!

2old

I've used one on a BBS02 mid and a rear hub system without incident. The tension on friction cables is usually less than on index (FME), so might resolve the issue for you.

BobG

Yep! I use Rivendell Silver friction shifters on Gevenalle Audax brake levers, 3x9, BionX hub drive. Love them. Not sure if they would behave differently on mid drive. Photo from my post at another thread ...

apmason

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate the detail about cable tension. I think that is what is causing the cables to fail in my setup. If it continues I'll look at the friction shifters as an alternative. Thanks again.

Jay Turberville

I've heard from others that a modern cassette designed for index shifting actually works better with friction shifters than do the older conventional cassettes. This wasn't for an e-bike, but I don't see why it wouldn't hold true if the power is being delivered by a motor.

Also, Microshift (and probably some other companies) makes shifters that can be switched from index to friction. I think the idea is to allow you to still shift if you bend a hanger or do something else to get the derailleur out of alignment. I have one, but haven't really tried using it in friction mode. Maybe I'll do that for kicks.

axelwik

I use a friction shifter on one of my non e bikes with a modern 8-speed cassette and it shifts beautifully. I don't see why it would be any different just because it's connected to a motor, especially if it's torque sensing.

Arrowana

Probably depends on if the set-up is torque sensing or not, or if it has a sensor to cut power to the motor while shifting. With my Bafang mid-drive kit that doesn't have any torque sensing capabilities, I'd expect friction shifting to go rather poorly without a shift sensor, as even traditional indexed shifting didn't work great unless I used the brake sensors to cut power while shifting. With a shift sensor, friction shifting should work fine as long as you can properly operate a friction shifter.

If your kit does a good job at reducing the torque it puts into the drivetrain when you apply less force to the pedals, then you will likely be fine. If not, then I'd expect trouble.

Another idea, if the cable keeps breaking at the shifter, maybe the issue is just that particular shifter, not the fact that it is indexed. An indexed Microshift thumb shifter should be just as unlikely to break a cable as a friction shifter, plus it can be converted to friction shifting when needed.

fooferdoggie 

look to find out why the cables are breaking. I shift a ton and most then most as I used to ride. recumbent. but ever Brough a cable but I do need to replace the housing to keep things smooth. 6000 to 10,000 miles.

roadfix

As others have mentioned, something is causing the cable to break, not your e-bike.