Down tube gear shifting

[MichaelW2]

Indexed shifting is like playing a guitar, friction shifting is like playing a violin.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Another small advantage of friction levers at the front is that it's much easier to pick up your chain without stopping if you do drop it

.....aaaaand you can shift a lot of cogs in one hit :-)

 

[freiston]

My bar-ends are friction-front and index-rear. Up until then, apart from a straight-barred solid back and front mountain bike that I used to have, I had only ever used down-tube friction shifters. I would have to be stuck between a rock and a hard place to go to an indexed front shifter.

 

[freiston]

.....aaaaand you can shift a lot of cogs in one hit :-)

The inability to do that with the indexed trigger/single-hit type of shifter is a pita for me. I don't like twist-grip shifters but at least they can do that too

 

[midlife]

Suntour symmetric, trimmed the front mech automatically

http://velobase.com/ViewComponent.aspx?ID=4CB7E658-E09E-4950-A283-2787BEAC2BB0&Enum=104&AbsPos=17

 

[youngoldbloke]

I find that too. I have lost and picked up my chain and had quite experienced cyclists comment on it like it's a clever trick.

Of course a cleverer trick is to set it up correctly and not drop the thing in the first place

Clever trick if you have to handle it - look around for a large dock leaf or similar. There's usually something handy

 

[Okeydokey]

@Dogtrousers Tbh! I have no idea or experience of what you are talking about?

 

[Okeydokey]

I don't seem to have the option of moving the left lever into click mode, a picture of the right shifter I know but where is the aforementioned device?

 

[Salty seadog]

I don't seem to have the option of moving the left lever into click mode, a picture of the right shifter I know but where is the aforementioned device?

View attachment 363642

It's the semi circular wire ring. Give it a twist to switch between indexed and friction.

You will only be able to do it on the right shifter. Rear mech

 

[mjr]

It's the semi circular wire ring. Give it a twist to switch between indexed and friction.

You will only be able to do it on the right shifter. Rear mech

Looks like there may be an arrow that moves between two lines as you twist. Or that may mean something different.

 

[raleighnut]

These look to be in 'friction' mode, rotating the ring so that it lines up with the 'SIS' arrow switches them to 'indexed' shifters.

 

[Okeydokey]

Feeling a bit silly! Didn't even notice that

 

[Okeydokey]

Omg! what a joy, moving through the rear cassette has now been mastered. Game changer as well as gear changer for me, thanks all!