Why EVERYONE Should Try Friction Shifters!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 พ.ค. 2021
- We live in a time of electric and acoustic bikes. In this vid, I make the case for friction shifters in 2021.
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The irony is that the more sprockets in a cassette, the better friction shifting works! and the faster you can sweep across multiple gears!
Across multiples but it takes time to find a certain gear. So despite it being a really reliable gear system it's a tradeoff.
@@MsVinioliveira practice, practice, practice
@@PoliticusRex632i know how to use those shifters, but still they are harder to use cuz even when u are a pro you have to deal with the terrain and bumps and those things makes precise shifting harder than just clicking a button
I love my friction shifter on my Eagle 12 speed gravel bike for this reason. You can know exactly where you're at in your cassette just by the position of the shifter too so you know when you're running out of gears 😂
It worked fine on 5 cogs, works fine on 9 cogs. It’s the way to go!
I almost forgot, maybe the best thing about friction shifters is you can reach over and shift your partner into high gear up a steep hill. We used to do it all the time! Always good for a laugh or good hearted competition among friends.
The evil Italians even did this in the '70s movie 'Breaking Away', but we thought of it long before that. Ive got lots more childish pranks if you're interested!
lolololol
lol. TEACH US YOUR WAYS!
@@Phyoomz If you're riding up a hard hill, come up from behind your partner, grab the seatpost and pull yourself forward while pushing them back. It will almost stop their momentum.
If you know somebody who's sensitive to little noises, while they're away not looking at their bike, take off a h'bar plug out and put a couple little stones, better yet, ball bearings in their handlebars. You can also put zip ties on your seat stays so they hit the spokes to drive certain competitors nuts in a race. This really works for particular individuals. One guy tried to pick a fight after a race with me for that!
@@rollinrat4850 😂😂😂 that's friggin AMAZING hahahha
You're welcome!
Lol, I was this old when I learned the proper term "friction shifters". When I was a kid, my 10-speed bike just had "gears".
Same! Lol
Yep, I am 66, have just bought my first Di2 bike. Had friction shift for years on my 10 speeds. No way would I want to go back. Perfectly happy with my Do2 and my Campy record mechanical…….
As they are older technology than index shifters, I’d rather call them „forward compatible”...
Want to see truly older technology? Check out the Cinelli 'bivalent shifting systems' or desmodromic derailleurs. Jan Heine (of Bicycle Quarterly fame) still uses the latter on his Rene Herse randonneuring bikes for really long rides. Hes a pretty serious rider. It supposedly really works! Neat old stuff! This kind of stuff mostly only exists in museums and private collections anymore, but there's a custom builder in Japan who makes lots of
things like this by hand in a small workshop.
There's also something called a retro direct system thsts pretty unique. You pedal forward for one gear and pedal backwards for a different gear. Maybe utilize some different leg muscles! Since I'm quite the tinkerer I might just build one of these. I love weird bikes!
Agree. Typically 'backward compatible' refers to systems that work with their contemporaries as well as their predecessors. 'Forward compatible' refers to systems that work with their contemporaries as well as their successors. Of course, you could argue friction shifters are both ;-)
Back in the ancient times of the 60’s and 70’s friction shifter world one mark of a good cyclist was the ability to jump out of the saddle and shift with a single “clunk” sound rather than a “grind”.
My less experienced riding buddies always comment that I never seem to shift!
Thats probably because they're always grinding their gears up steep hills, making noise and I scold them. I'll be the one to fix their freakin' broken bikes!
With modern hyperglide cassettes it’s even quieter than with straight cut gears.
My old crit warhorse still has bar end shifter for the rear and down tube shifter for the front, works well and silently with any wheel.
No clanging noise on shifts. And no disk brake hiss either, but that’s a topic for another discussion.
@@kennethward9530 That's awesome! Keep it up!
Haha, Do you ever hear the snickering behind you?
I ride a very old lugged steel fixed gear 'cross bike on trails most often. I'm an OG retro grouch! That's my favorite bike to ride. Its 'More fun than should be legal'!
I've got to climb at an all out sprint on steep hills quite often. I call that intervals or weight training. I pass folks on full suspension carbon wonder bikes sometimes and Ive heard that sarcastic 'nice bike grampa' comment more than once! But It's usually when they repass me on the downhill. I don't care because my bike was free and paid for, decades ago, by someone else! Haha, I don't buy bikes on credit!!
@@kennethward9530 When I got into cycling in the early 90's a crit racer at my local bike shop would cut the right bar end shorter and install a bar end so he could keep a few fingers on the brake at the same time when down shifting.
@@Ego_Katana He wasn't the only one-that was the Eddie B./US national team set up from late 80's-my old crit bike (mounted to my smart trainer now days) has that arrangement. Works just fine with the 11 speed cassette. Old campy Veloce chainrings sometimes drops the 11 speed chain going from 42 to 52 tooth ring though...
Grew up with downtube friction shifters and still have them on a few bikes. They were a lifesaver on my touring bike when I tacoed a wheel and had to borrow a wheel from the support van. My wheel was a 7 and the support wheel was a 6. Adjusted the end stop and I was able to keep riding for the next day and a half until I was able to get my wheel back.
The main reason I ride my old 87 Raleigh more than my new Trek, even though it’s slower, is because of the friction shifters. Maybe I’m just biased because I’m more used to my old bike, but it just feels more smooth and intuitive. There’s this direct responsiveness that gives me the feeling that the bike is a direct extension of my body, rather than clicking a button and hoping the bike listens to me.
In a weird way, it really made me feel more connected to my bike, as the amount I needed to shift became muscle memory, it's not dictated by the shifter. It feels nice. Yes there are pros and cons. It has been about 12 years and many bikes since my 1983 mixte with stem mounted friction shifters but I just rode a VO Neutrino with a thumbie and it all came back and felt great and performed very well.
I actually had never ridden with indexed shifters until 2021!
I run friction on my bike and I see no reason to use anything else for what I’m doing. 2x9 and loving it!
One understated advantage of friction shifters (frifters) is that you can see/feel in which gear you are by their position without looking at your casette.
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Like a grip shifter - but the grip is precise and even shows you the gear.
Friction shifters on the stem 40 yr ago as a kid with my first road bike. That’s how it was for most of us. I’ve got Dura Ace on a 1990 Miyata restoration and while the rear derailleur is connected to an indexed downtube shifter, the front is friction and works so well, no chain rub here - you have total control
I'm still riding a bike that I've had since I was in my early teens. It has the friction shifters in the stem and still works great.
Those old DA shifters can switch to friction too.
I still ride the original 7speed DA 7400 SIS downtube shifters since 1987. They still work perfect. Indexed or friction. The whole system is the fastest and most solid shifting I've ever encountered. Its amazing how well it works and has kept working over all these years.
That era of DuraAce IIRC has the option to turn the indexing off.
Well, for a few of us "old guys" the learning curve was getting the indexing, and questioning whether they were sure enough, compared to friction shifters. I just learned to use Campi indexing on a bike built last year, kind of feeling out a "cassette" of ten, with two up front. Everything I ever dreamed of, and lots more. I like them, but they do get cranky with weather and getting into rough roads, but I've not gone back yet, just trying the "fatter tire" thing that I've watched for a couple years, and am liking the smoother ride, knowing it's just as fast. Thanks for showing this, good to know there's ones built modern, for these long shifting derailleurs.
Fricters are the ultimate get out of jail free card when it comes to transmissions. The only thing less stressful is single speed.🤔🤗👍
No kidding. Friction shifting allows me to haul my household around on longer tours, but I ride singlespeed or fixed offroad most often. Theyre simple and extremely reliable machines. Ride more, wrench less. That's this mechanic's motto.
Every single one of my rides, friction shifters or not, I'm reminded it's me who makes the bike move. Singlespeeds have this amazing way of exposing our weakness and forcing one to simply get stronger and more skilled. Unfortunately, most folks can't even imagine riding one. Society has become much too soft.
@@rollinrat4850 Love it. I just did a 7 mile family bike ride on an upcycled BMX. Stood up nearly the whole time. Another one of my bikes, that my son rides, is a 1985 Murray with friction gear shifters on the quill stem. A department store quality bike back then, but it's older and runs better than any machine on my block.
@@alfonsoalmendariz3325 My daughter's grown, married and moved away. Man!
I really miss those rides!
Ive got several really nice custom bikes but only use them for big mountain rides, bikepacking or long tours. All but one of my bikes are decades old.
Singlespeeds are what I like and ride most. One gear is all I 'really need'.
My everyday bike was almost free. I assembled it from old stuff people gave me or didn't want. Ive built lots of bikes from piles of junk, beaten them until they break or I get tired of them and give them away. My favorite the last ten years is a fixed gear cyclocross bike. No coasting! I ride it almost everyday for commuting and on my local mtb trails. Anywhere I'd ride my fancy MTBs. Fixed gear offroad is more fun than should be legal. It NEVER breaks because it's ultra simple and built like a tank. I call that weight training. Its kinda ugly so thieves don't pay attention. But it functions perfect. When I get on my nicer lighter bikes with derailleurs, numerous gears and disc brakes and suspension, it seems so easy. But it still feels wrong to coast much. I'm pretty sure it's the RIDER, not the bike. We can't get too far without pedaling lots.
I just love having the option of switching to friction if the index fails or becomes misaligned.
@@rollinrat4850 Singlespeed is the way to go, I have few bmx's, dirt jumper and singlespeed city bike. Only bike with gears is my 1990 peugeot aspin with full shimano 105 that I don't ride much. I also have old atala bmx from 80s or even 70s, original seat, grips and tires
Friction shifters are also a good idea for older bikes that have the shifter cables going under the downtube. That location can pick up a lot of dirt that can mess with indexed shifters.
I've been hesitating for a while but you have totally convinced me to try, Russ, thanks for this very useful breakdown:). And great to see you!
Friction shifters: proven tech that will never be obsolete ✅. They're especially good as thumbies on flat or upright bars. 👍🏻
I remember some guy saying something like "ok, you and your DOWNTUBE SHIFTERS" and other people started laughing... and I was so confused because up to that pt, they were the best shifters I had ever used. lol
I've only been riding these new shifters less than a year, am considering right now, taking some friction shifters and making mounts for my handle bars. I don't know if all my issues could be me, or the shifters, but they drag, clink, and change under load, occasionally, but they're driving me crazy.
down tube friction shifting is on my main bike, still works same as it did back in the 80s
I love being able to shift through multiple gears in one fluid move, and tell at a glance exactly which gear I'm in.
@@jojoUK120 For real. I have a 1985 steel road bike. Nothing fancy, but I never realized how simple and worry free friction shifting is. I've done 30 mile rides on this bike. I don't know if I'll ever get a real road bike with fancy index shifting. My go to bike right now is a Specialized Alibi with a Specialized Pizza front rack, a Bontrager rear rack, and I run Surly Extra Terrestrial 41mm tires. It's awesome for family or solo excursions. I got is used for $325 from a bicycle rental company in Napa, Valley. I figure a bicycle that was ridden nearly everyday is a good bike.
Another thing I love about friction shifters: they can last for years or almost decades without needing to be retuned or replaced, probably good to tune them every once in awhile though. I've gotten bikes from junkyards and bikes abandoned in bushes for years and they shift like they're almost brand new. Some may have rusty cables that get stuck, but if the cable moves, they're gonna work
Besides a bent derailleur hanger, there's not much to go wrong or 'tune'.
Friction shifters only stop working when the cable breaks or the derailleur is ripped off the frame in a bad mishap.
@@rollinrat4850 You might also want to keep the limit screws on the derailleur set correctly, so as not to throw the chain into the spokes or between smallest sprocket and seatstay. But apart from that, your're right...
@@turboseize Thanks. Haha, I'm a pro shop mechanic. Whenever I crash, I stop using the big cog. But mostly I use a fixed gear 'cross bike for all my local rides. Fixed off-road is more fun than should be legal! I don't need to add to my job security. From my POV that's about all new 'bike tech' is. Therefore, friction shifters on my bikes with waaay too many gears......
While I agree that friction shifters are an awesome option I feel like you should have touched on compatibility based on age. What I mean is that an old friction shifter from the 70's designed around 5-7 speed will not pull the cable far enough for 10 speed and up. You will run out of lever action before you hit the lowest cog on the cassette. It is worth mentioning because people might try using an old dia compe that they got at the local co-op only to find out that they get 8-9 of their 11 speed cassette. Just something I feel like you missed here but great video in all!
I found that is a cable tension problem. I have successfully tuned an old thumb shifter to a 10 spd cassette.
I can easily shift my 9 speed folder with an ancient "6speed" thumb friction shifter. I think it's all depends on your cable tension.
They are also super easy to shift in winter when you need to wear big gloves. Especially the bar ends.
😂. I remember a time, like I am sure many of us do, when friction shifters were the only choice. Yeah for choices! 😊
Hell yeah, I remember when the 3x1,2x1, where a thing. Now I can finally be gay or bi. :) I love choices.
Back in the day, we learned HOW to actually shift properly.
(Not so) common these days.....
Friction IS simply reliable. That's all that matters when you enjoy spending more time riding bicycles to actually get somewhere to drink, eat or sleep.
Sarcasm never reads well in text form.
With riction shifting, it's the feels. Like the tension in a room, you gotta feel it out.@@rollinrat4850
@@winstonesmith1237sarcasm? Ive been messin with bicycles for 50 years. Its simply the truth, at least in my reality.
I mostly just 'need' one gear. Singlespeed or fixed gear are still my preference in my old age. Simple is as simple does. But friction bar ends allow me to haul around a bunch of junk on camping trips in those big mountains. Never forget, it's the rider, not the bike!
Yay! ?
I converted my old 10 speed to a 12 speed index shift. I went from down tube tube shifter to stem tube first. You can change gear, take a quick look between your legs and then line up the chain perfectly if you need to. I've had the bike since new in 1987. I will be converting it back to friction shifting again.
As a longtime retrogrouch I agree 100%
I just picked up an outdated mountain bike with outdated friction shifters, still shifts great after 35 years.
Just like canti's. Hard to beat the time tested goods, and so easy to adjust.
@@mikeinhoodriver I don't know what everyone complains about regarding good old cantis. They're just not that difficult with some practice. Haha, They probably ignored geometry in school!
I wrench in a shop and DISC BRAKES ARE JOB SECURITY!! Not to mention a bunch of other new techy junk. They keep us BUSY EVERYDAY. I ride more than most of my customers and I'm still using cantis daily. I havent changed my Koolstop Salmons in 5 years. I'm almost positive it's the rider, not the bike!
I don't agree with the use of the term outdated. It's a matter of perspective. Just because a certain trend became predominant in some kind of market, it doesn't make other alternatives outdated
I have 4 bikes all built on 90s mtb chromoly frames, I like them better than most new bikes that follow contemporary trends
@@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess All this new junk seems to matter to marketing idiots and those who drink that koolaide. Marketing's purpose is to separate YOU from your money. Nothing else!
Folks need to learn to think for themselves. Don't believe everything you read. IGNORE marketing bullshit.
YOU WILL PAY for whatever you get, one way or another.
Love friction shifters, but I find them difficult to use in loud traffic. I need to hear if the chain is dragging.
I ride offroad mostly with friction shifters and headphones on unless I'm in a place with big wildlife. I have a cowbell as well that gets pretty noisy in the rough stuff.
I can feel if the rear derailleur is clattering through my hands and feet. The only thing I don't want to do is to wear a hole in the cage of my ancient, yet precious Sun Tour XC Pro front derailleur. But I can glance down to see if it's rubbing usually. A little noise in the drivetrain isn't a big deal when I just dont give a rip!
Ironically 11 speed won me BACK over to downtube friction shifting. 8 and 9 speed worked for me in the past. 10 speed was always harder to trim, but when I tried 11 as a joke since I thought trimming would be even harder, it worked so dang well!! I guess there's just not enough space for the chain to 'miss' so wherever that lever is, it hits the target every time with little to no trimming ever. (Setup: Rivendell Silver DT shifters, 11 speed Ultegra 6800 mechs, 11-34 cassette, 11 speed chain)
running an eleven speed chain on a ten speed cassette helps quite a bit.
Had friction shifters a while and loved them. Never had to adjust index as there is noneb parts pretty available and sometimes simplicity is a work of art. Waiting to use them again on another project.
I never used them before so was very pleased to see you put together a video explaining their benefit. I am looking to put together another bike and think this sounds like the cost effective solution I may be looking for. I imagine it to be like playing a guitar without individual frets on the neck. Thanks for the video.
A nattering nabob of negativism might say it's akin to a sad trombone. But I would never say anything like that. 😆😂😆🤔😄
For a long-distance touring set-up, friction shifters are great since the gear cables stretch but your shifting does not go out of whack.
If your derailleur hanger gets bent the derailleur still functions as well. As long as you're aware and don't shift the chain into the spokes!
Still using in 3031.
Less potential mechanical issues. Used them in this year's Seattle to Portland one day ride, worked brilliantly.
Very easy... I have 1982 bike with this Shifters and I changed rear DERAILIEURS , rear cassetes, and the shifters still working perfect! Greatings from Brasil !!
I applaud you for bringing the tried and trusted frictions into the light
I have 2 daily downtube riders from the early 80s
Never do you have to adjust anything except the clutch and now that’s just habit to constantly give a little tightening twist after a shift or 2 and if a sudden hill sneaks in with a simple flip you are in a lower or the lowest gear instantly no indexing ...👍🏻
Best part is everyone asking at events or bicycling get togethers how I can shift with the downtubes or even worse seeing my dinosaur tech keeping pace with the newest and greatest gotta haves
Truly the way to go. I've been doing it since I started riding in the 80s. Will work with almost everything.
I was riding my dads 90’s mtb and it had twist shifters on the front derailure and it made so much sense bc you can adjust little bit each time unlike the ones we got today.
I love friction shifting, completely underrated in most bike people's eyes.
I bought a Salsa Marrakesh last year. It has friction shifting that can be switched between friction and indexed. The shop had a hard time setting it up right, but now that it’s set up I really like it.
I’m useless at fixing things but in the end I did set up the indexing and it was very easy after I figured it out. It is nice to know that I can switch to friction if I need to.
I recently got some thumbies from Paul’s components to put my bar end shifters on my surly LHT and I love them. So nice 👍
Try the VO thumbies. They use the same stud that you find on DT boss, so they're a lot easier to adjust.
Nice to see Gevenalle making another appearance. Great on a touring bike as they are compatible with MTB drivechains and MTB cable disc brakes. I love them.
Friction shifters are amazing. Half my bikes are friction. I’m also hoarding used bar end shifters to make sure I got em when needed.
Aha so you are the culprit!
Between me and Drew we've pretty much cornered the supply.
Ive got a bunch too. 50 years of bike 'junk' in my garage. I'm not sure how I'll ever move out when it's time! Even some Sun Tour XC Pro thumbies . Best ones ever made.
I have a Trucker for everyday/commuting use and a Bridge Club for bikepacking and mtn bike use. Both bikes are setup as 9-speed friction only. I switched over to friction about 6 years ago on the Trucker and haven't looked back. When I built up the newer Bridge Club, I didn't even setup/tune it for indexed shifting. I can't imagine going back to index shifting. Great points and video Russ!
always a pleasure to tune in-thanks
My commuter/winter bike is running a hilarious set-up, an ancient suntour friction shifter, bodged onto a SRAM rival lever (the double tap shifter mechanism died like they all do) operating a Rapid rise XT mech in a 1x9... It's completely user servicable and I'm only really limited by whatever chain/cassette I'd going cheap when the time to replace them rolls round.
Gevenalle on my gravel bike has been run both friction and indexed and definitely benefits from the old "KISS" principle.
Everyone seems to be going old school these days, I never changed. Just because you can doesn't mean you have to, or, if it ain't broke don't fix it.
A marketing and sales rule: 'There's a sucker born every minute'
A quote from Proverbs in the Bible: "A fool and his money are soon parted"
I'm convinced marketing BS is very little more than propaganda or brainwashing. Akin to corrupt politicians and fake news.
My personal quote: YOU will always pay for what you get, one way or another.
Also because solid roams bikes are so expensive. Especially getting carbon frames. Aluminum last for a while and take less damage.
I love friction shifters! Another big benefit in my opinion is the ability to run whatever brakes you want. I don't love the shapes lot of the drop brakes I have ridden (apex ultegra etc.) Also you can throw them on the down tube and switch between bars very easily and not have the added resistance of the extra housing (and shape of the cable under the wrap in the drops)
I came of age on a 10 speed with downtube friction shifting. Yes, index shifting is more convenient, especially for less experienced riders and it's more precise in off road usage. But there is nothing more satisfying than slicing through the straight cut rear cogs on a freewheel equipped bike using friction shifting and hearing that chain slide along like a hot knife through butter. Friction shifters work even better with rear cogs and chainrings for index shifting and slightly narrower chain. Like an 8 speed chain on a 6 or 7 speed rear freewheel or cassette. I converted one of my vintage road bikes to 3 X 9 with brifters. It was fun, for about a week. It hangs in the garage now and I pull out mu old Fuji Del Rey 12 speed with downtube friction shifters when i want to relax. The converted bike may go up for sale.
Funny how back in the 1980's that changing your drop bars over to AllRoads and Tourist uprights was a big part of our shop's conversions
you read my mind! finally decided on friction for my rockhopper conversion. I found some at the bike co-op last week, however talking with staff they said they are getting hard to come by and increasing in popularity probably for their universal qualities you mentioned.
If they're getting so hard to come by, you'd think that means there is a hole in the market waiting to be filled, and *someone* would start manufacturing more new ones..
Cool Russ. Love this!
I squeezed a 10 speed cassette on my road bike with friction shifting
It’s so easy, shifting is perfect, you never miss being on a cog because they are so close together. Nice and light too
What was obsolete is now popular. the cycling world goes round and round. To each their own. when index shifting came out, I loved it. I still love it. Friction shifters are fine for those who like them. Any day now I expect that clipless pedals will be set by the wayside and rattrap pedals will make a comeback. A side note, how many of you got rid of your old bike or bikes years ago and now wish you still had it? Been there done that, I am now hesitant to get rid of any bike I own. They each have something about them that I like.
That's cool. I used to have friction shifters on the ends of my handlebars of my Apollo Gran Tour. I loved those shifters as I used to ride 50 miles per day with some pretty serious hills to and from my place. I still have a soft spot for that old bike.
I bought a Raleigh technium in 1986. 2x6 sunrour friction shift. Still work, never needed any adjustment
Rode down the coast of Oregon last week with Friction down tube shifters worked flawlessly, simple silent and bombproof
Shimano 105 derailer 11 speed force 11-30 cassette Red waxed chain, neat!
I installed bar-end shifters on my drop-bar hybrid and used friction shifting for a while. But then I needed to replace the rear wheel and installed an 8-speed cassette which matched the 8-speed indexing on my shifter, and am extremely happy to be back in the index-shifting camp! I just like being able to give the shifter a quick click and trust that it'll hit the right gear without keeping my hand down there to adjust.
My dad's old Nishiki had friction shifters. I loved that bike.
This was amazingly helpful. Thank you. Especially at the 2 1/2 minute mark.
I LOVE my friction shifters!!!! Just have a few plastic washers which are the weak link. Everyone should have them and try them!
Being a old school fart 63yo that was all we had. The friction shifter is a familiar old friend, your right it’s like a manual car stick shift.
Happy to see this. I'm getting ready to install them (just received mine.)
I'm old I guess and I grew up with these friction shifters. Never saw any advantage to index shifting (they never seem to be adjusted!! Such a pain.). Will use the friction shifter on my DIY e-bike.
Thanks for this Video. I've always wanted to try them? Which ones do you recomend personally?
Thank you for the video I’m gonna be working on changing a triathlon bike to down bar and I want to use the friction shifters because I love it so much on my older Cannondale it’s always like you said so easy to find a gear and fine-tune never have an issue being in the right gear
I love the simplicity of friction shifters!
Those brake lever friction shifters on that background bike are amazing.
You didn't mention the setup where you would have indexed rear and friction front. Back in the day your MTB would have 3x8 thumbies in this setup, and it was pretty neat, because you could trim the front derailleur manually. Also the older Sram, Shimano and other non-name brand twist shifters would employ a kind of a semi-friction shifting for the front.
Whats a front derailleur?
@@m11HI11m it’s not what, it’s a who. Front derailleur was the french inventor of the friction shifter. He won the Tour de France a staggering 17 times.
Some professional race-riders also used a front downtube friction shifter while 2x was a thing, because the binary hi-low gearing of the front meant they were simply more reliable and faster than STI (when set up properly and the rider was used to it of course...)
It's called micro-ratcheting. Suntour was famous for it but Rivendell and Dia-Compe still make a version nowadays. I have a set of Sachs-Huret 6-speeds downtube shifter that I used as a stop gap to shift my 11-speed MTB derailleur. Sure it needed 200 degrees of travel to get it into the lowest gear but it did work and didn't slip.
That is how my 15-ish year old Soma gravel bike is set up. I'll probably update to a new group set soon but I like the way it works right now.
For the past 9 years, I've been using friction down-tube shifters with a 2x9 system. They're lovely old Shimano 600, the last generation (I think) before Shimano introduced index shifting. Not fancy, but the curve of the levers is beautiful and they work perfectly. Unfortunately, because I recently switched to a more upright position (no more drop bars, for my neck's sake), I've had to install an index-shifting pod. It's OK, but it lacks the feel of direct engagement. Not to mention that DT shifters, whether index or friction, have much less cable to mess around with.
Before 10 speed stuff, all Shimano indexed downtube and bar end shifters, even the thumbies have a friction mode. You just turn a little dial. Ive got the Dura Ace 8spd and 9 speed versions of both. They refuse to die, no matter how many times crashed and thrown down in the mud. The indexing stopped working on one set of bar ends. I don't click shift any more anyway. I use a few different wheels snd gears. One of the best valued purchases I've ever made!
You can use thumb shifter (MTB) if dont mind oldies look, i use some cheap unbranded thumb friction shifter and it works just fine 😁
Yes! I just went back in time on my 22lb hardtail...I love friction shifting!
I switched to friction shifters many years ago and didn't look back. Thumb shifters on my MTB and commuter and bar end shifters on my road/touring bike. You are correct that buy them once and use them for multiple applications.
I started on friction shifters. Still have em on one of my bikes. I actually preferred them for a while until I got a modern bike where the shifting is done through the break levers. Love em both
I use an old down tube front shifter from the 80s to shift an Advent 9 speed. All kinds compatible (ish).
I have friction shift on 3 bikes, 2 were originally 2x5 drivetrains and both now work just fine in 3x10. My monster cross bike has the RetroShift (Gevenalle) setup with BS78 shifters. Those can switch between 10sp SIS and friction.
I like the old Simplex downtube shifters on my '87 Peugeot. Originally 6 speed I upgraded to 8 speed because of hubs and cassettes. Works awesome.
SLJs? I'm going to try to put them on a 10-speed when my set arrives next month. I've heard that the skinny barrel can be a headache. Any insight?
Same here I have the first edition 83 Trek 520 3x6 ...and a 82 Trek 1 edition 311 that was originally a 2x6 now a 2x7 both downtubies smooth as can be
@@kevinford2223 I have a 2018 520 and there are the mounting points to far in the front! The shifters would pass the steering tube.
Not sure why "learning curve" is listed as a con, getting to learn a new cycling skill is more of a pro for me. Another advantage is that many friction shifters can be mounted on the downtube, eliminating problematic cable housing.
I'll just come out and say it. Why? Its because many riders have become lazy and spoiled by 'modern technology'. Besides lots of folks are scared to learn 'new' things anyways . Its just so inconvenient!
Haha, Would you guess I'm a retro grouch? I just want to ride simple reliable machines. That's used to be the beauty of a bicycle. I still dig stuff like suspension and disc brakes. I just don't 'really need' it all to have fun. Hauling supplies to camp out, food and water is far more important.
I run my 27" roadbike with downtube shifters, they are pretty good once you get the hang of it, just refrain from using loose clothing if you like to pedal out of the saddle, got my pants caught in a shifter lol
@@Quimerateck I sometimes shift my bar cons on accident with my knees on sharp corners. I can accept that its user error! I'm actually more afraid of getting stabbed in the leg during a crash, but it hasn't happened in almost 50 years so...... there's not much worry!
I used downtube shifter wearing street clothes way back when that was my only transportation. 27" bikes are almost as ancient as myself! I'm 60 today. Still ridin' hard! But I never shifted with my clothes!
What? Are you wearing crack pants? Haha!
Here's a little prank. Reach over and shift your buddy into a high gear going up a steep hill!! We used to do it all the time! Always good for a laugh or a little good hearted competition among friends. This might be one of the best things about friction shifters!
I think friction shifting appeals to me the same way manual transmission appeals to most car enthusiasts: while it might require more thought and attention to shift correctly, I enjoy the finer level of control and "intimacy" that indexed (or automatic) shifting cannot provide.
Running an 11 speed rear mec with generic friction shifters? Hell yeah!!!!! Awesome video.
Great video, thanks. I have the Shimano thumb shifters - quite expensive, but I really like them.
Cheers, Mike UK
Very much so pro friction shifting!!
I ride a drop bar touring bike with 700c x 50mm tires and 2x12 slx drivechain controlled by microshift bar end shifters. Works like a charm ! 👌
I love my Surly LHT with friction shifters!
If I ever get a real road bike, it will be a Long Haul Trucker. I am in the market for a Bridge Club right now, or actually for the past year, and it's impossible to find one. In the meantime, I have a Specialized Alibi, more of a commuter bike, and added Surly ET 41mm tires. I have a Specialized Pizza Rack on the front and a Bontrager rack on the back. It's my affordable touring set up. I really would love a Bridge Club in a 650b.
When I started commuting it was on a bike with friction down tube shifters, you eventually start to build "muscle memory indexing". Had no problem using friction in that context.
This is a great video!
Love friction shifters. Have them on 3 bikes, randem, folding bike, and touring bike. Really like them on the bar ends. Not a problem using them at all.
I just picked up a Novara Mazama today and it's my first gravel/drop bar/bar end shifter bike, and it took me by surprise that the left shifter felt way different.Then I remembered seeing the thumbnail for this video and I thought "huh, maybe this is what a friction shifter is"
Thanks, good points! I considered friction shifters on my recent gravel bike build. They do have a lot of advantages. I used to have thumb shifters on my ‘90s MTB, which were great. Not sure if still available; it had index shifting, but if that got wonky, could switch to friction. Nice feature for sure.
I have Paul Thumbies on my gravel/touring bike and love them. 3x7,8,9,10,11? Shifts them all just fine with 9/10/11 speed derailleurs. Freaking awesome
Great vlog Russ I used them in the 70's think I'll give them another go. They'll work out cheaper than replacing my wotn out 3x9's index shifters.
Started on friction shifters after some research for my first bike. They work well enough that I’ll probably be with them for a while. The idea of being able to just drop in any deraileur if you pr current one takes a dump is nice.
I have friction shifters on my vintage steel road bike, a 1982 Olmo Competition with full Campy Record, and I think they work great. It's fun to go back and shift from the downtube but it's just my get around bike so there's not a need for speedy shifting. You do have to plan your shifts better for hills and whatnot but it works fine. My normal road bike has electronic shifting and for me friction shifters just bring me back to when I started riding and fell in love with it in the first place. So, now it's more a novelty and for nostalgia sake but it's something that still works.
I still love the concept!
Didn't like them at first but now i love them.
Agree. Retro combo for a L'Eroica bike race. Campagnolo Nouvo Record RD/Sachs-Huret Simplex shifters. Smooth, quiet never an issue. :)
I love friction shifters and have it on my titanium gravel bike. Modern bike (disc brakes, gravel geometry, large tires) and 2x8 friction shifters. I like getting off the beaten track and there are no batteries to fail or out of tune index shifting. I run a wide double crank and have mountain bike climbing gears and high gears for the roads connecting the dirt paths. Best of all worlds!
RIDE MORE! wrench less
I just got a new bike with friction shifting (on one side, indexed on the other) and have quickly gotten used to it. It's my new favourite.
Gevenalle and bar end shifters just flat out work for me. Currently running 1x9 Microsoft Advent bar end shifter setup on my bike and not sure I'd ever go back to brifters.
I’ve got a set of Ultegra bar ends on my bike and I have no plans to change them. They work perfectly with many different setups and always will.
I used a 30 year old downtube shifter with my Advent X for a long time. It's surprising how quickly you get a feel for it
And the fact that there is a feel for it!
I’m giving this a go. I’ve got old index shift rotary grips and they work for a bit then I gorilla them and stretch the cable so they need tweaking to work. With a friction shift you can just nudge it into gear. Plus you can mount them under flat bars and you have thumb shifters.
Just build a bike with a 2x11 mullet setup. Ultegra in the front and Deore in the rear with Microshift bar-ends. I specifically picked the MTB version because of their ability to switch between indexed and friction. Ran the bike with some vintage Sachs-Huret downtube shifter for a month while I was waiting for the bar-ends and it worked really well. It's hard to miss a shift when the cogs are so close together.
Well done video and topic! I grew up with friction shifters. The idea of indexing was really cool and it is. But the point you made about getting in gear no matter what resonates. My vintage Dia Compe thumbies on my '91 xc racer mtb have the option to go index or friction and if indexing is a little off, I can nudge it into gear. But I'm going to try friction. I've never done it with this bike and I bought it new. Thanks!
Back in the 70s my road bike had friction shifters. I was very happy to move to index shifters.