Opinions on Downtube/Friction shifters

[boydj]

I'm giving these newfangled "Dia Compe Silver Shifters" a try on my bike. The price has gone up this year like most cycling gear.

They have a friction ratchet mechanism similar to the old Suntour Power shifters, but this design is more compact. Early days yet, but they seem to be working well and are fine working with a 9 speed cassette.

http://www.diacompe.com.tw/product/silver-w-shift-lever/

View attachment 611522

I had the bar-end version of these on a commuter bike. Easy to use and reliable.

 

[tyred]

I'm giving these newfangled "Dia Compe Silver Shifters" a try on my bike. The price has gone up this year like most cycling gear.

They have a friction ratchet mechanism similar to the old Suntour Power shifters, but this design is more compact. Early days yet, but they seem to be working well and are fine working with a 9 speed cassette.

http://www.diacompe.com.tw/product/silver-w-shift-lever/

View attachment 611522

They look beautiful. If I wasn't so tight I'd buy a set for my Peugeot!

 

[GuyBoden]

My fav Suntour Power Shifters look like they can be used as braze on, as can be seen in the diagram below, but the braze on boss doesn't seem to fit on my 1980's road bike. Has anyone used these as braze on?

Suntour Power Shifter diagram.

These Suntour Symmetrical are interesting too:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-...tour-symmetric-reassembly-challenge-pics.html

 

[T4tomo]

what are you saying? you already have bosses (i.e equiv of part 20) brazed onto a bike, but your equivalent of 17 doesn't thread into it? in which case can you not use the bolts that were securing the original shifters?

 

[GuyBoden]

what are you saying? you already have bosses (i.e equiv of part 20) brazed onto a bike, but your equivalent of 17 doesn't thread into it? in which case can you not use the bolts that were securing the original shifters?

Apparently, after a bit of googling, I find that not all braze on bosses for shifters are the same. It's not only bolts.

 

[T4tomo]

Apparently, after a bit of googling, I find that not all braze on bosses for shifters are the same. It's not only bolts.

ah, that's annoying although not surprising I guess, although more fittings were standard and interchangeable back that. You cant simply use the band on, as the existing bosses would get in the way. You could use a pair of Suntour bar cons power shifters - I can vouch for the fact that they work superbly. you can get cable guides that attach to the bosses

 

[Dale 1956]

Just wondering what people think of them?

I've seen a few bikes that looked really nice untill I see friction operated shifters and then somehow they seem really... ancient.
What with all the indexed shifters out there it seems like a step backward. Particually on roade/race bikes.



Do any of you still use friction shift? Maybe some of you changed from index to friction? Do you people find it a pain in the arse or somewhat pleasing?

I still use them my self they are friction shifters only

 

[Fredo76]

I'm used to friction shifters, being a geezer. They work fine for me, and they're definitely not as finicky to set up. But on the down tube, they are now a heroic reach, and I'm no hero, so they're on the stem, just like a Schwinn Varsity.

No matter!

 

[T4tomo]

I'm used to friction shifters, being a geezer. They work fine for me, and they're definitely not as finicky to set up. But on the down tube, they are now a heroic reach, and I'm no hero, so they're on the stem, just like a Schwinn Varsity.

No matter!

View attachment 615494

perfect, one to impale each testicle on!

 

[Johnsco]

I'm now age 74 and I've never used anything other than Suntour friction shifters on the downtube.
Same Carlton since approx 1966.
Easy to set up and easy to use.

 

[FrothNinja]

Adjusted the friction gears on my Centurion yesterday, now bob on in spite of a bit of float. Its just a bog standard el-cheapo Triplex set and single shifter. Think I will have to look at changing the cable soon. Bike wouldn't be right without reaching down to shift. Requires a bit of finesse to use friction rather than indexed gears.