Was: [CR]Shifters, Now: Friction or Index

(Example: History)

Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:17:20 -0500
From: "Barb & Dan Artley" <hydelake@verizon.net>
Subject: Was: [CR]Shifters, Now: Friction or Index
To: "Classic Rendezvous" <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>


Beau,

If you're talking classic CR era bikes, I think you're describing friction shifting. I believe Suntour experimented with click shifting in the 70's, but I only heard of it, never having tried one. Otherwise, click or index shifting is sorta off topic although I'm sure there are a couple of folks beside me who've hot rodded an old frame with modern parts.

However, with a Colnago Super, the parts of choice would have been Campy NR or SR derailleurs and shifters. Friction shifting well can be an art, but a good setup seems to shift pretty well as is if not quite one click, one shift. I have had freewheels that didn't seem to pick up the chain as well, ramped modern freewheels with shorter teeth like Sach's. And Campy's don't do a wide range freewheel as well as they were designed for a 24 cog freewheel w/ the NR and a 28? w/ a SR rear derailleur. That said, pulling the wheel back in the dropouts will get that 28. But close ratio freewheels are their forte'. And sort of on topic (KOF?), are the Campy Syncro shifters, either model one or two that were supposed to retrofit any old friction derailleur to work with a bunch of freewheel brands, with mixed results. I have a set, they're not terrible and they do come up on e-bay occasionally. The archives can reward you with too much information/discussion of the nicer attributes or vagueries of different shifters, derailleurs, gear setups, etc. We can be anal to the death talking bicycle minutae.

Friction requires a bit more technique, but it's really not rocket science. Lots of riding and proper gear adjustment will get you efficient with any friction setup. Before index, so many people rode their bikes cross country and anywhere with the technology we're espousing. You may find it just as easy to keep up with others using index as I do. ... Of course I'm just a tourist!

Happy trails, and good luck with your FRICTION shifters.

Dan Artley in Parkton, Maryland USA

Archive-URL: http://search.bikelist.org/getmsg.asp?Filename=classicrendezvous.10803. 0615.eml Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:01:51 -0700 (PDT) From: beau links <links0311(AT)yahoo.com> Subject: [CR]Shifters

My search for a bike came to an end a couple weeks ago when I bought a beautiful Colnago Super from David White. I want to thank ... (bunch'a people!) ...

... (more stuff) ...

... In the meantime, I have all the parts I'll need expect (except?) shifters. Late last year I put friction shifters on my bike but just couldn't seem to figure them out. I was always close to where I needed the paddles to be, but could never get a clean shift. About the same time I rode a friends bike that had index shifters and liked the one click one shift style. What do you all use, friction or index? I am leaning towards index, but will keep my options open. If you like indexed, where do you find them? Thanks.

Beau Links
Dayton, Oh
USA