Downtube shifter & modern 105 front mech compatability

[Soltydog]

On my turbo trainer I have a bike built of various bits that I had in my spares box. I'm currently only running with a rear mech, but I do have a 105 front mech (about 5 years old) which I could fit & use with a downtube shifter 🤔 Any reason why it wouldn't work? It will be a damn sight easier than buying a 105 sti shifter & for the occasional use it gets would be fine. TIA

 

[fossyant]

It will work fine, as front mech down tube shifters aren't indexed.

 

[Soltydog]

It will work fine, as front mech down tube shifters aren't indexed.

Thank you, that's what I was thinking, but wasn't sure if I was missing something obvious

 

[Illaveago]

I don't know about the 105 front but I don't see a reason why it shouldn't work as you only have a small number of chainrings and a variable gear lever. You would have to use your ears when selecting gears. One problem you may come across is how the gear cable is fed to the mech. Does the cable run under the bottom bracket or does it run down the downtube and require the outer sleeve to be clamped near to the mech ?

 

[Soltydog]

I don't know about the 105 front but I don't see a reason why it shouldn't work as you only have a small number of chainrings and a variable gear lever. You would have to use your ears when selecting gears. One problem you may come across is how the gear cable is fed to the mech. Does the cable run under the bottom bracket or does it run down the downtube and require the outer sleeve to be clamped near to the mech ?

The cable will run under the bottom bracket, so that should be ok. I've managed for a year or two on the turbo without the large ring at the front, so I suspect it will be used very occasionally. But I have the mech, so for the price of a lever I may as well fit it. Watch this space, I'll post up if I have any problems

 

[Soltydog]

Can just confirm that I have now fit the front mech with downtube shifter & it works a treat 👍 Cheers all

 

[Ajax Bay]

Think this is called 'Going Lance' btw.

 

[Soltydog]

Think this is called 'Going Lance' btw.

Do I need to stock up on EPO too then?
In my case it was just a case of going cheap

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Well done on the upgrade to down tube shifter.