(indexed) Downtube shifters should make comeback
11-13-18, 12:16 PM
#126
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If you're doing this on a vintage steel bike, you can get clamps that aren't as ugly as the Problem Solvers version above. This clamp will mount any standard, Campagnolo pattern shift lever:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/HURET-shift...QAAOSwAllbba45
https://www.ebay.com/itm/HURET-shift...QAAOSwAllbba45
11-13-18, 01:03 PM
#128
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The OP wrote he thinks indexed DT shifters "should" make a comeback. If by choosing the word "should" he is predicting that they will do so, he's deluding himself. If "should" reflects a personal preference, who knows if he's serious or not?
11-13-18, 01:20 PM
#129
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Why wouldn’t it be a serious topic? Lots of folks like and prefer down tube shifters.
If the original poster had filed his post in “classic & vintage” there might have been on balance, less negativity.
I think that that the question somehow came across reading something like “If you were purchasing a new bike would you pick down tube shifters over integrated shift levers?” So if the OP were really wanting new bike options with this feature, then yes he’s looking at a real uphill battle.
But for someone who wants to participate in an Eroica event - then yes, yes, yes -thank God there are still some folks out there willing to partake. Each person for their own reasons I’m sure.
I will tell you that I have SunTour Superbe Pro 7 speed indexing “Accushift” shift levers on my 25” frame Puch Marco Polo and I Love them. Not a little but a lot. Us crazy collectors have our reasons for liking them and are privately delighted that posters such as #119 feel that they “suck” so badly. The supply of the really sublime NOS shift levers hasn’t dried up completely but those of us that value them know what they are and could care less that 99.9% of “consumers” don’t want them.
If the original poster had filed his post in “classic & vintage” there might have been on balance, less negativity.
I think that that the question somehow came across reading something like “If you were purchasing a new bike would you pick down tube shifters over integrated shift levers?” So if the OP were really wanting new bike options with this feature, then yes he’s looking at a real uphill battle.
But for someone who wants to participate in an Eroica event - then yes, yes, yes -thank God there are still some folks out there willing to partake. Each person for their own reasons I’m sure.
I will tell you that I have SunTour Superbe Pro 7 speed indexing “Accushift” shift levers on my 25” frame Puch Marco Polo and I Love them. Not a little but a lot. Us crazy collectors have our reasons for liking them and are privately delighted that posters such as #119 feel that they “suck” so badly. The supply of the really sublime NOS shift levers hasn’t dried up completely but those of us that value them know what they are and could care less that 99.9% of “consumers” don’t want them.
Last edited by masi61; 11-13-18 at 02:48 PM.
11-13-18, 02:24 PM
#130
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Heck, if you want one, here you go, build it up with DTs: https://www.rivbike.com/products/roadini. They aren't coming back in any significant numbers, because the market simply doesn't demand it.
Last edited by jefnvk; 11-13-18 at 02:29 PM.
11-13-18, 03:13 PM
#131
faster downhill
I couldn't imagine coming down a steep incline, into a sharp turn to an intersection where I would have to stop and trying to shift down to be ready to accelerate through the intersection with downtube shifters. like riding an old Harley with the hand operated shifter. its quaint, but not practical.
with my new r8070 shimano di2 shifters that have the extra buttons on top of the hoods I can upshift, downshift (as many gears as I want), control my garmin, even turn my lights on and off all without taking my hands off hoods. I ride with no hands sometimes just for fun.
with my new r8070 shimano di2 shifters that have the extra buttons on top of the hoods I can upshift, downshift (as many gears as I want), control my garmin, even turn my lights on and off all without taking my hands off hoods. I ride with no hands sometimes just for fun.
11-13-18, 03:33 PM
#132
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11-13-18, 03:41 PM
#133
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You can't imagine it because you don't have the experience. When you do get the experience you can do it without even thinking, it's an instant reflex.
11-13-18, 03:53 PM
#134
Senior Member
Whether you end up poorly-geared on a start has much more to do with how you planned your stop than the shifting system you're using. I see people having to start from a poor gear with brifters all the time due to a bad stop.
11-13-18, 04:02 PM
#135
faster downhill
11-13-18, 04:13 PM
#136
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A perfect example of the new generation. What's kind of sad and funny at the same time is you're not even embarrassed to admit you have no experience in the subject you're trying to sound knowledgeable about. For 31 years I've always had at least one bike with DT shifters and the only time in my life I ever laid a bike down was when a 93 year old lady ran me over last spring.
11-13-18, 04:14 PM
#137
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A perfect example of the new generation. What's kind of sad and funny at the same time is you're not even embarrassed to admit you have no experience in the subject you're trying to sound knowledgeable about. For 31 years I've always had at least one bike with DT shifters and the only time in my life I ever laid a bike down was when a 93 year old lady ran me over last spring.
11-13-18, 04:19 PM
#139
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I can't tell you because I have no memory of it haha. I don't even remember being in the hospital. I think what happened is she was driving along, noticed that I was on a Centurion LeMans with downtube shifters and she decided to punish me for riding with something so dangerous.
11-13-18, 04:20 PM
#140
faster downhill
A perfect example of the new generation. What's kind of sad and funny at the same time is you're not even embarrassed to admit you have no experience in the subject you're trying to sound knowledgeable about. For 31 years I've always had at least one bike with DT shifters and the only time in my life I ever laid a bike down was when a 93 year old lady ran me over last spring.
See, if you had STI’s you could have avoided a 93 year old lady. You were probably fiddling with your shifters. I hope you weren’t hurt......you old curmudgeon.
Also so I appreciate being called the “new generation”. I’ve had many bikes with all kinds of shifters including DT shifters.
11-13-18, 04:27 PM
#142
Senior Member
11-13-18, 04:38 PM
#143
faster downhill
[QUOTE=HTupolev;20661897]What?[/QUOTE
Ones I can remember having DT shifters that I’ve owned:
early 80’s Motobecane-can’t remember model
later 80’s Cannondale Black Lightning aluminum frame
both with DT shifters, then I moved into the 90’s and more recently 20th century.
Ride what you like and ride often.
Ones I can remember having DT shifters that I’ve owned:
early 80’s Motobecane-can’t remember model
later 80’s Cannondale Black Lightning aluminum frame
both with DT shifters, then I moved into the 90’s and more recently 20th century.
Ride what you like and ride often.
11-13-18, 04:57 PM
#144
TeeOhPea 2tha DeeOhGee
DT limits capability. Can't maintain hammering while holding a line and bunny hopping sewer grates while simultaneously shifting like you can with brifters. (SRAM only of course.) Plus you look like an ape scratching his balls all day long reaching down there to shift like that. 
So primitive.
Everything has its place in time.
Brifters are about to be eclipsed by Siri-ifters which use voice recognition to shift on your personal verbal command, with no need to do anything with your fingers at all. I've seen the tests. They are as real as Grandpa's steel.
...And then somebody will go and start a thread about how great brifters were, and how maybe they'll stage a comeback. Not bloody likely! The dawn of the Siri-ifter is upon us!
So primitive.Everything has its place in time.
Brifters are about to be eclipsed by Siri-ifters which use voice recognition to shift on your personal verbal command, with no need to do anything with your fingers at all. I've seen the tests. They are as real as Grandpa's steel.
...And then somebody will go and start a thread about how great brifters were, and how maybe they'll stage a comeback. Not bloody likely! The dawn of the Siri-ifter is upon us!
11-13-18, 05:39 PM
#145
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I couldn't imagine coming down a steep incline, into a sharp turn to an intersection where I would have to stop and trying to shift down to be ready to accelerate through the intersection with downtube shifters. like riding an old Harley with the hand operated shifter. its quaint, but not practical.
with my new r8070 shimano di2 shifters that have the extra buttons on top of the hoods I can upshift, downshift (as many gears as I want), control my garmin, even turn my lights on and off all without taking my hands off hoods. I ride with no hands sometimes just for fun.
with my new r8070 shimano di2 shifters that have the extra buttons on top of the hoods I can upshift, downshift (as many gears as I want), control my garmin, even turn my lights on and off all without taking my hands off hoods. I ride with no hands sometimes just for fun.
A trick some of us figured out 50 years ago.
Ben
11-13-18, 05:45 PM
#146
Senior Member
I have a bike with 10 speed Dura Ace with downtube shifters. I have raced it several times too. Modern shifters are a better option, no doubt about it. I still like my DT-ed bike and ride it a lot, but I just do it for the looks, truth be told.
11-14-18, 10:27 AM
#147
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Are you going to insult younger people because they don't know how to dial a phone or work the horizontal hold knob on a TV next?
11-14-18, 10:37 AM
#148
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Brifters are about to be eclipsed by Siri-ifters which use voice recognition to shift on your personal verbal command, with no need to do anything with your fingers at all. I've seen the tests. They are as real as Grandpa's steel.
...And then somebody will go and start a thread about how great brifters were, and how maybe they'll stage a comeback. Not bloody likely! The dawn of the Siri-ifter is upon us!
Us fans of cheesy Clint Eastwood movies are looking forward to the shifters that are operated by thinking in Russian.
It's going to be a lot of fun when people without Siri-ifters start shifting other people's bikes as they pass by. Also, don't know about you, but voice command doesn't work for me in windy conditions.
11-14-18, 10:52 AM
#150
Banned
Question is , you willing to invest a lot of money , make it happen ?
a Product Manager for a brand of bike does that choice,
so you need travel expenses to get there,
and paying for a nice lunch while you try to talk them into it..
bring a large statistical survey demonstrating a ground swell of customers wanting ,
down tube shifters instead of convenient brake - shifter combination levers
developed in the past 30+ , years ... of time
since race bikes came with down tube shift levers...
better just do what you want with your bike , the ' You guys should' committee ,
might have a different agenda.., bur if you submit your topic ,
perhaps you can speak to that body at their next regular meeting..
a Product Manager for a brand of bike does that choice,
so you need travel expenses to get there,
and paying for a nice lunch while you try to talk them into it..
bring a large statistical survey demonstrating a ground swell of customers wanting ,
down tube shifters instead of convenient brake - shifter combination levers
developed in the past 30+ , years ... of time
since race bikes came with down tube shift levers...
better just do what you want with your bike , the ' You guys should' committee ,
might have a different agenda.., bur if you submit your topic ,
perhaps you can speak to that body at their next regular meeting..