wahoonc

Shifters that go in the end of the handlebars, mostly seen on tour bikes. I still have a couple of bikes with barcons on them. Tried brifters and went back to barcons.

Aaron

Fargo Wolf

It's done mostly by feel and a bit by ear (I'm guessing they are friction shift). It's easier with the front shifter, because you can glance down and see the chain go from one chain ring to the next. Using the rear shifter is a bit trickier, though not by much.

Here's the technique I use with my bike (Will TRY to explain this as best as I can). It's easiest to use the drop portion of the bars, rather than the upright position:
On your bike, get up to speed for that gear. Ideally you should be pretty much spinning/freewheeling. With your right (or left, depending on the shifter you're going to use), us the middle two fingers to move the shifter (USUALLY) slowly forward. As you move the shifter, listen for the chain to start "chattering" as it is moved from one gear to the next. A quick glance down at the rear sprockets at the same time, will give you a quick idea of where the chain is (Also good for finding out what gear you're in too). But that's optional. You'll hear the chain "click" (best description) as it engages with the next sprocket. For your fastest gears, You'll be using your thumb. The process of shifting into slower gears is reversed, in regards to your fingers and thumb.

It's just a matter of practicing before you get the hang of it.

Giacomo 1 

Maybe the fact that you lack confidence in your ability to shift and stay balanced at the same time, could be causing you to be moving to slowly when you shift, thereby making you unstable. If that's the case, then try and pick-up your pace abit and then shift.

IMHO, DT shifters will make you a better rider. You'll really learn bike control and you will likely find that you don't shift as much because it's just not as convenient as brifters. Stick with it and you should be fine in no time....

BarracksSi

My first multispeed bike had friction shifters -- on its wide moose-style MTB bars, right next to the handgrips. I thought it was ungainly to have shifters way down on the downtube, so I never liked them. Having them right next to my thumbs was a lot more convenient.

BarracksSi

Oh yeah --

It was really easy to make sure it was shifted cleanly, though. If the chain wasn't right on, it was loud; if it was quiet, it was good. Whenever it was a bit off it sounded like CLACK-A-CLACK-A-CLACK-A-GRRRR-ACK-ACK-ACK.

Simple as that.

brianogilvie 

I have barcons on both my touring/randonneuring bikes. They're great and stand up to a lot of abuse. I might try downtube shifters on my next bike, though; I haven't used them since I was a teenager and it would be nice to give them another go.

fietsbob

Helps if you are young and flexible, as bending over low to reach the levers
on the down-tube is needed.. relocating the shifting function
to the end of the drop bar simplifies that, and you shift the lever while holding on
to the handlebar, rather than letting go and reaching down.

in the 80s I had downtube shift levers as the stock part, micro ratchet sun tour ,
once the knack was developed, a quick slap of the lever made one gear change.

Bike control when carrying weight in the panniers , had me converting to bar end shifting.
and then the road bike got a set , too, as aging made bending down low less desirable.

for a more upright posture , thumb shifters work well..
also a simple lever, less to go wrong..

Velo Dog

I read a story about this a few years ago, can't remember where, that said Lemond and Armstrong get the credit for the boom in cycling, but what's really responsible is that indexing took the brains out of shifting.

BarracksSi

Isn't indexing -- particularly brifters -- a feature that Armstrong pushed for with Shimano? That's what I remember reading, too.

wahoonc

Actually I think Sturmey Archer had the first indexed shifting of their three speeds way back in 1902... FWIW about half of my derailleur equipped bikes still use friction shifting.

Aaron

Al Criner

Don't lean on the bars, support your body weight with your core muscles. Make sure your fit is good so you are balanced on your saddle. With practice you will make quick shifts so your hand is only off the bars very briefly.

Bob Ross

Yep, pretty much This^^^

NukeouT

Yeah, barcons are the way to go. I can't tell you how many times I have almost fallen while focusing my balance and attention on shifting DT's, and how many times I have stuck my fingers through the spokes while feeling for the shifters. Avoid stem shifters too, because those are in the perfect place to get hit by your knees while youre going uphill.

I feel friction is more reliable and longer lasting than indexed, but I have also heard that a good many people use an indexed RD and friction FD combo. Friction is also definitely way easier to maintain and adjust than indexed if you are just starting out.

Yeah, if youre going to use DT's make sure to practice plenty and be aware that you may have to wait for 'safe moments' on the road before you can do your DT shifts, unlike bicycles with other systems such as barcons or brifters.

LarDasse74

Practice practice practice!

With not too much practice, if the bike fits properly, you can shift from any position on the bar.

Practice practice practice.