Did I make a mistake

[tdr1nka]

Just careful on them roads in the winter M8.
The Police have been known to close Gypsy Hill at both ends on icy nights.
Going up Westwood Hill from Sydenham in the rush hour is the worst tho IMO.

BTW Don't be too put off by downtube shifters.
I have just gone from a MTB with 'well sexy' rapid fire thumb shifters, to a racer with downtube shifters.
It took a short while to get the knack back and I'm now saving for a brake/ gear handle set, but they work.

 

[DJ]

did'nt realise I could change them to a brake/gear handle set? Might try that.

Thanks

 

[Arch]

did'nt realise I could change them to a brake/gear handle set? Might try that.

Thanks

Yup, you fit a stop thingy to the boss on the downtube and carry the cable on up to the bars to whatever shifters you choose - I've done it myself, and my newest (second hand) bike also has the same fix..

And you can fix the QR wheels thing too - get Pitlock skewers or similar...

 

[swee'pea99]

You can - but it ain't cheap...also, be careful if you try ebay to save money - brake/gear shifters aren't 'one size fits all' (tho' I believe it's no more complicated than 'they need to be the same make & # of gears as your gears')

 

[DJ]

Thanks

Thanks for all the advice I can now make an informed decision on what to do.