I am sure i am not alone on this...(searched but found nothing specific about this) wondering if this is worth it...recently got a Kicker and have been using it on/off, summer and all...was thinking that even though it is not *too* much trouble to put the bike on (i have only one) i might invest in another used machine off of cr@igs 1ist. Came across some vintage Schwinns (a '71 and a '74) and that got me wondering. these are 10 speeds, only 5 cogs in the back but with friction shifters. assuming the bike can even be mounted to the trainer will the friction shifter work with the 11 speed cassette that came with the trainer or the 8 i needed for my one and only ride?

i kind of like the idea of vintage so was thinking of going that route. otherwise if this has already been tried with not much success i will look at something more modern to put on. there are plenty that come up from time to time.

thanks,
scott

Maybe, maybe not. You'll need an 11-speed chain, to start. Whether the shift levers will accommodate 11-cogs is the question. My old school 10-speed friction shifters will handle an 8-cog cassette, so that should work. Haven't tried anything bigger.

If it's a dedicated ride, why not change out the cassette? I know friction shifters work with 8, 9, and 10 speed cassettes, especially if they're not indexed.