Shimano SL-MY20 Gear Lever

[Klaus]

Can anyone tell me what the purpose is of the second small lever on the Shimano SL-MY20 (right hand lever). Haven't been able to find specific info on the Shimano site or here. See picture. Thanks for your help!

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Isn't it the switch to choose friction shift or 6 speed indexed? If not SJS still sells them and might be able to tell you. The part is 1995 vintage, it is likely going to be hard to find any documentation.

 

[Klaus]

What is friction shift??

SJS sell at 6.99 and perhaps comes with some documentation, but the gears seems to work, bike just needs a bit of cleaning and lubing.

 

[gbb]

Never had them, but as Record says, its to switch between friction and the indexed function.
Indexed, every click gives a specific amount of cable pull.
Friction, you dictate the amount of cable pull, and therefore the amount of derailleur movement.
Old systems were friction...you have to 'feel' the derailleur into the correct position.

 

[cyberknight]

Beat me to it

my old road bike many years ago had the same type of lever on the down tube and it was indeed for choosing friction or indexed.

Its a personal preference and friction means you guess how much to move the shifter to move to the next gear but is less faff with set up.Indexed is nice as 1 click = 1 gear move but a little trickier to set up .

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

My best shifters ever were my old Mountain LX thumbies, with the friction (non-index) setting available.

Handy if the mech or hanger got twisted, the bike could still be ridden with gears availablem just not indexed

 

[Klaus]

Thanks all for your replies - once I have cleaned up the bike (next year sometime) I will give it a go to see how it works.