Questions tagged [downtube-shifter]

Shifter levers on the downtube of your bike frame.

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Rear derailleur compatibility for friction shifting

I have a mid-1980s road bike with downtube friction shifters. I'd like to install a freewheel with a larger cog (something like 32 or 34T), but my current rear derailleur won't accommodate that. So I'...
djcunningham0's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
189 views

Can a Shimano 7 spd rear derailleur work with a Campy Athena down tube shifter?

Late 1980s vintage Italian steel bike with Campy Athena mech (7 spd rear derailleur). Need to replace rear derailleur (because of weak spring not taking up chain slack in small ring). My thinking is ...
MathDilettante's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
222 views

Vintage Basso and downtube shifters

A few days ago I was given a vintage Basso gap frame and I’m beyond excited to be riding again, however, I’ve only ridden modern trail bikes until this point. Naturally, I’ve been researching and ...
Cheez Register's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
1k views

I want to covert my bike from a 7 to 9 speed. I have a Shimano 600 derailleur. Will this work or what would you advise as affordable upgrade?

I want to covert my 7 speed to 9. Currently I have a Shimano 600 derailleur. What parts do I need to make this work?
Greg's user avatar
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Which downtube friction shifters work with 2021 Campagnolo 11-speed cassettes, and how well?

Another question from a few years ago asks about Shimano 11-speed derailleurs; I have a related question about current (2021) Campagnolo equipment - I'd like to understand what downtube (friction) ...
Daniele Procida's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
175 views

Ross 294S Shifting Overhaul, Help

first post here. Getting in to road cycling, bought an old Ross 294S steelie with downtube friction shifters. Want to switch to a brifter system. I’ve watched a bunch of vids and googled but can’t ...
Mason Rogers's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
756 views

Help me identify downtube shifter boss type

I think I received this frame with standard Shimano cable stops, but they don't seem to fit. Also, I couldn't found this shape of downtube bosses anywhere. The problem seems to be with the non-...
brabec's user avatar
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2 answers
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Which shifters are compatible with dura ace 740x?

I've read that Shimano updated the cable pull ratio on their other series early on but not for Dura-Ace until 1997 with the 7700. Which downtube shifting levers are compatible with their 7400/7401/...
user430's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
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Can't get lowest gear and derailleur shifts on its own

I have a bike with downtube friction shifters and a 5 speed freewheel. When I bought the bike a while ago the shifters weren't connected so I did it myself. At this point it all worked fine. I took it ...
Gill's user avatar
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1 answer
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Shimano 105 front derailleur, Sugino crank and large chain ring, chain touches the derailleur cage

Why does the chain on Shimano 105 front derailleur with Dura-Ace downtube front shifter touch the derailleur cage with the Sugino large chain ring? The outer limit screw does not move it far enough. ...
Ville M's user avatar
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Shimano SL-7700 (nine speed) down tube shifters. Index only?

I'm considering buying these. There is confusion about whether the RH (RD) shifter can be switched between index and friction. Dealers and users give conflicting or unclear information. They WERE ...
Mike Lyons's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
3k views

How to replace downtube shifters with stem shifters?

My bicycle has clamped downtube shifters that I would like to replace with stem shifters. Is it as straightforward as replacing the downtube shifters with cable stops, then running cable to the stem ...
sfmiller940's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
1k views

Bought a Vintage Bianchi 1985 road racer, came with Shimano 600, can I easily turn it into index shifting?

As my title says bought a: Bianchi 1985 vintage in almost mint condition Shimano 600, 12 speed (2x6) with freewheel, friction shifters I'd like to turn it into an index shifter. Do I just swap out ...
Jessie-James's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
97 views

Problems with cheap housings

So, I converted my road bike from downtube shifters to STI brifters, and I noticed that the cable housings don't sit properly in the downtube cable stops, do you think that would be a problem ? EDIT:...
Florin Oprea's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
432 views

Shimano downtube shifters 3x7 speed

I have an old road bike with 3x7 speed and STI levers. I need to downgrade it because I can't reach the levers due to my small hands. What downtube shifters can I buy to that will work with my ...
Moretti66's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
6k views

Downtube shifters won't stay in low gear on rear derailleur

I've finished a bike restoration today and it's my first time using downtube shifters. They work and will span the full range of gears but won't stay in the big cog on the back for long, the shifter ...
Harvey Brackenbury's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
231 views

Question about Shifters

I have a bike with lever/downtube shifters. I hate them, feel like they don't stay in gear for more than 10 minutes at a time, and would prefer a bike that has preset gears. Is there a way to get the ...
Madison 's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
805 views

What are the steps required to revert from STI shifters to friction shifters?

I'm curious about trying friction shifters out for my commutes – especially since I had a shifter cable mishap recently that cost me a lot more time than it should have. My commuter is a '70s road ...
kqr's user avatar
  • 281
3 votes
2 answers
2k views

Installing downtube shifters with no clamp

I am trying to convert my Schwinn Mountain bike into a road bike. I bought a set of Shimano SL-SY20A 3 (2) x 7 Speed Down-Tube Shifters. they have a clamp attached but my downtube is very wide and the ...
Ramon Poisson's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Changing Campy index downtube shifters to 'only' do friction shifting

How do you change Campy down tube C-Record indexed shifters to be friction shifters? I don't like index shifters as they limit your options with the cassette you can use. Mine are Campagnolo Veloce.
TomEagles's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
3k views

Different types of down tube shifter mounts

I wish to adapt down tube friction shifters to my frame. As shown in image 1, the frame is equipped with eyelets for this purpose. Image 1 My down tube Image 2 shows the shifter in question (I ...
emagar's user avatar
  • 387
2 votes
1 answer
854 views

Preventing downtube cable stops from sliding out of place

I've got a vintage road bike with no braze-ons for shift cables: Instead, it's got a cable stop holding the cables against the downtube and parallel to the chainstays. Unfortunately, it seems to slide ...
errantlinguist's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
2k views

Friction-shift (rear) always changing up the gears

I have an old french touring bike (from the 70s or 80s) with downtube friction shifters. I recently had it serviced, and ever since there's been a constant pressure on the rear gears which means they ...
thosphor's user avatar
  • 511
2 votes
1 answer
446 views

shifting (hah!) from downtube to integrated shifters

My old racing bike has 1991-era Ultegra, but I have gradually accumulated a nearly complete set of Dura Ace 7402 (mostly new in box) and plan to upgrade the bike. 7402 was a transitional release and ...
Michael Stern's user avatar
13 votes
6 answers
9k views

What's the strongest way to bond a cable stop to an aluminum frame?

I recently picked up another well loved GT road bike frame- it's in great shape aside from a missing downtube cable stop. The model is a ZR 4000 probably from 1999, it's 7005 heat treated aluminum. My ...
BEVR1337's user avatar
  • 761
0 votes
1 answer
214 views

I'm evaluating how to best match a new handset and rear wheel to a vintage rebuild [closed]

My first bike after move to Japan. Picked up an old 520 Cro-MO frame by Tsunoda - Grand Prix , minimal rust and decent paint. It had some old Suntour VX derailleurs, aluminum-far-too-narrow drop bar ...
Brendan's user avatar
  • 73
0 votes
1 answer
464 views

Ambidextrous backup downtube shifter for touring?

I'm heading out on a long tour soon on a bike with Shimano STI shifters. That choice was intentional as I don't like bar-ends. However, I notice the gear cables run through stops at downtube shifters ...
SSilk's user avatar
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1 vote
2 answers
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Converting 80s bike to indexed shifters

I've just bought an early 80s steel framed bike with unindexed stem mounted shifters. As I plan to use the bike for commuting, I'd like to change the rear mech to use trigger shifters. I'm not so ...
user2290362's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
222 views

Unknown shifter mount

This screw goes thru the frame (downtube) to hold two shimano 7speed (indexed) shifters. Apparently, one of the bolts is screwed and needs to be replaced. Problem is that the guy who owns the bike ...
Andresch Serj's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
626 views

Shift lever and boss (mount point) compatibility matrix [closed]

I've looked online, but haven't found one. Is there any sort of "matrix" available that puts shift lever boss type on one axis and shift lever on the other, and remarks on each pair's compatibility? ...
PositiveK's user avatar
  • 1,101
1 vote
1 answer
529 views

How can I stop my shifters slipping when climbing?

I'm having trouble with my rear mech and/or shifters. Under heavy load (say, when climbing) the rear mech is slipping. The two photos below show my shifters before and after a climb. I've not touched ...
Matt's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
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Downtube friction shifters for 11 speed

I'm planning to build a steel lugged frame and equip it with downtube friction shifting. My question is: Do Dura Ace 7900 downtube shifters come with friction mode? The left lever does not have a D-...
William Y L Tsui's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
3k views

Can I use friction shifters with a clutch style rear derailleur?

Can I use friction shifters with a clutch style rear derailleur like the 2014 Shimano Deore M615 Shadow Plus? Or does this put extra tension on the shift cable that will cause slips with a friction ...
Benzo's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
1k views

Change the angle of the arc of downtube / stem shifter lever to make it an alternative thumb shifter?

I want to mount the following SunRace clamp-on shifter set horizontally as a "thumb" shifter on a straight MTB handlebar (22.2mm). I will remove the left lever and only use the right with the clamp. ...
PositiveK's user avatar
  • 1,101
2 votes
1 answer
3k views

Can I run a SRAM road rear derailleur with downtube shifters?

Can I run a SRAM road (apex/rival/force/red) rear derailleur with downtube shifters? I though you might be able to mount the bar-end shifters on downtube, but it seems like they are a ratcheting ...
Benzo's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
11k views

Installing downtube shifters on a bike with no bosses or cable stops

Following up on the same bike as my previous question, we were able to get it cleaned up an running very well at the end of last summer. My brother has been riding it for a few months now and the ...
fideli's user avatar
  • 651
7 votes
3 answers
5k views

Does it matter which cassette I get for downtube friction shifters?

My grandpa gave me his old 1974 Raleigh International (all original Campy) as a graduation present. Since the stock wheels are for tubular tires, and I do want to ride it around town, I want to get ...
raabidfun's user avatar
  • 886
3 votes
2 answers
1k views

New stem, bars & shifters on old Bridgestone 700

I recently bought a 1980's Bridgestone 700. I have trouble feeling confident on this bike between the narrow drop bars and the downtube shifter. This is my all-steel commuter and I'd like to put ...
Paul's user avatar
  • 390
31 votes
7 answers
112k views

How do I efficiently shift gears on a road bike with downtube shifters?

I have bought a vintage Campagnolo road bike, so the shifters are on the down tube. I own a mountain bike and i am used to changing gears on that one, but don't know the proper technique to change on ...
Gabriel Solomon's user avatar