striknein

I'm setting up a '84 Stumpjumper with drop bars and a Shimano Deerhead drivetrain for touring. Are there any serious useability concerns when pairing derailleurs with stem shifters, considering the loaded front end? I typically use bar end shifters, but I had hoped to try something a little different this go-round.

staehpj1

The cool kids may ostracize you, but... I have always wondered why we don't see stem shifters more these days. I personally prefer either down tube shifters or STI, but I'd go with stem shifters before bar ends and I'd think that riders who like an upright posture would favor them more often than bar ends as well.

striknein

Those are my thoughts as well. I'll be spending most of my time on the flats, ramps, or hoods. It seems to make sense to put the shifters closer to where my hands are. I was considering thumb shifters as well, but I had hoped to keep the bars clear for computer/GPS/handlebar bag mounts. STI is a no-go on this project, both for cost and because I don't want to mix and match road and mountain components.

ClemY

I tried stem shifters many years ago after I discovered that downtube shifters didn't work well for me. I soon found that stem shifters worked pretty well when I was on the tops, but didn't work very well from the drops. I found barcon shifters and have been using them ever since, first as Campy friction shifters and more recently as indexed Shimano shifters, now 9 spd. On flat bars I like trigger shifters. They are so easy to use it is almost like paddle shifters on a high performance car. But it is merely a matter of personal preference.

shipwreck

I like stem shifters on some bikes, but ony higher quality. The best I have ever used are suntours ratcheting shifters. They can be had on ebay for not so much.
Personaly I would only use them if I did not plan on lots of shifting in the rolling hills.

Everyone says that they only came on low end bikes, but I have had some 531 framed Puchs, and one or two other nicer bikes that had them stock. my Schwinn Continental has them, but no one gives me any crap just for those. They save the grief giving for the whole bike.

robow

Stem shifters=Retro=Vintage=Cool!

TampaRaleigh

If you're worrying about getting kicked out, you're already out.

On a serious note, do what works for you, and gets you out riding. (Heck, I'm about to procure a vintage bike that has a top-tube mounted shifter.)

cycle_maven

The deerhead group trumps any concerns about stem shifters. Ride in koolness.

fietsbob

Restless to try something , else, when the other works fine? knock yor self out..
that sounds about right .. need external approval?

striknein

22,000 posts, and I have yet to find one not written in haiku.

They are pretty, aren't they?

fietsbob

Maybe I'll work on a Limrick..
Later..

Anyhow.. Mustache bars and Bar end shifters on my old stumpie.. snow and Ice wheels.



put stem shifters on XGF bike , she was used to them.. Im less in favor of the one handed ness

to switch Gears , taking the hand off.. the bars..
on a downtube the short direct cables made it quick... bada bing..




Its a long winter North and East of here ..

djb

my thoughts: totally not relevant to how you feel, but Ive always found stem shifters to be ugly as sin, guess cause of the el cheapo bikes that had them when I was a teenager---from a totally practical side, the thumb shifters appeals simply because I recall riding stem shifter bikes and not liking doing the shifting action right at the middle of the stem, much prefer moving my hands less far from the standard position (hoods or whatever) and thumbies would be a bit closer (Im thinking when having to shift often, on hills etc)

for this reason I could never see using stem shifters again, but whatever works well for you.

If drops are decided on, then nvm, but after fiddling with my old rockhopper over the years, these bars and barends are pretty versatile, comfortable and until I found these angled bars, I never would have thought anything other than drops would be ok for all day riding.

Doug64

The advantage of down tube and stem mounted shifters is that you can do a double shift, front and rear derailleurs, with one hand at the same time. Bar end shifters require moving both hands.

I prefer STI shifters.

fietsbob

Only on the double shifts.. it is holding on to the bars at the widest point with both hands even then.

of course if not hauling 4 bags full of stuff, and just on a JRA ride on a nice day ... cool <:^)



my R'Off IGH gets most of the use ,now , anyway..

the Derailleur rig gets dusty, sitting..

unterhausen

when I worked as a bike mechanic, all the lower-end bikes came with stem shifters. I was never a fan. I much prefer bar end shifters.

Chris_in_Miami

I've got a set of Suntour Power Shifters on this Lotus MTB, these shifters are always cool



Having said that- this frame is a bit too small, and I occasionally bump the levers when I'm at a stop. Apart from that, no downside for me!

MassiveD

I thought they were so dangerous when you flew the coop that they were not to be considered.

juggleaddict

like downtube shifters, but closer : ) I approve, but will keep my downtubes. I haven't really looked into stem shifters, mainly because I assumed you couldn't get a bracket for a threadless setup. . . I'm probably wrong.

bradtx

striknein, It's fun to experiment. Sometimes it's for the better, sometimes not.

Brad

cyccommute 

Other than the fact that every stem shifter out there is the lowest of the low end of components, there's no issues with stem shifters. Of course the shifters are in the wrong spot for easy shifting and as you can see in Chris_from_Miami picture they are perfectly situated to make you the lead singer in a 19th Century boy's choir, there's no problem with them at all The only thing better for making you a boy's choir star would be a Schwinn Stingray Stick Shift 5.

No, you aren't wrong.

indyfabz

When I was a kid my best friend had one of these that we would take turns riding:

Burton

The biggest limitation with stem shifters is that they were never designed specifically for 8,9,10-speed bikes and friction shifting a 9 or 10 speed could be a little frustrating.

Which isn't to say it can't be done or can't be cool or can't have 10 speeds. You just need a little imagination.

Origin8 makes / made a number of adapters specifically to mount DT shifters on bikes with no DT mounting bosses. The maximum clamping diameter requires that you mount the clamp directly on the steering tube. It will, in effect, replace one or more spacers. Ideally you want to mount a pinch clamp below it to set bearing preload. Something like the clamp-on Backstops solves two problems at once. The shifter mount itself can be mounted above or below the stem.

Shifters are NOT included, so all doors are open. You can repurpose something from the recycle bin or splurge and pick up some 10-speed DuraAce indexed DT shifters and just smile and nod at anyone that doesn't think retro is cool.

shipwreck

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-stem-shifters

This is probably the best thread on stem shifters. The classic and vintage guys have strong opinions on style, but are mostly realistic about function.

I still maintain that suntour power shifters are not lowest of the low. They are going to be the most effortless shifting option available for stem shifting.

striknein

Thanks for that link. I guess I should have searched before posting...

My takeaway from reading is that a) placement of stem shifters can cause water to run down into the derailleur cable housing, causing potential rust issues, and b) you can occasionally bump the shifter with your knee when pedaling out of the saddle. I'm not sure if those are dealbreakers or not, but I'm excited to try.

At worst, the extra length of cable and housing should be about the same as if I was running bar ends, so it'll be a quick conversion if I don't like it.

LeeG

That was the case before lined housing and ss cables, less so now.

I'd much rather be able to have both hands on the bars with a heavy front load. First bikes I rode had stem shifters, road bikes had down tube. Presently have LHT set up with Titec bars and thumb shifters on bars.