I've absolutely had issues with Silver Shifters on thumb pods (or bar end) giving issues with slippage. My solution: Reverse Rapid-rise derailer. For some reason it just plays better with the ratcheting action especially when the spring is under more tension. I found regular shifters, especially with a strong spring in a high gear, want to pull the shifter down. It drove me nuts.
Now that I think about it - I have a developed a tendency to fuss with the tension on the shifter while I am riding even with the RRR der. If I am running in a higher gear over bumpy terrain I will still "snug" it up so it's quite stiff and I can just leave it. If I am shifting often through the city with lights and traffic I will loosen it slightly so it's easier to bump up and down. It's fairly second nature at this point. I am totally happy with my shifting setup and wouldn't change it for anything otherwise at this point. I will also do my best to never own a regular shifter at this point. heh. On Friday, January 17, 2025 at 10:10:40 AM UTC-8 Garth wrote: > Before you totally give up on the shifters, you could try shaving some > rosin between the inside of the outer cap and the outer side of the inner > plastic washer. Rosin adds grip, it's used by string instrumentalists and > baseball pitchers. It comes commonly in a solid clear amber form, and it's > a hard chunk that you can shave off into a powder. It's made from pine tree > sap, which if you've ever touched it is very sticky ! > > I read about it here, as vintage Campy shifters are also prone to slip. > https://cycling-obsession.com/vintage-campagnolo-super-record-friction-shift-levers-review/ > > The Sprint shift levers which the Silver models copy, have always been > best as DT shifters, from my experience. Suntour thumbies hold gears > notably better because the entire innards are a larger diameter. > > Try some rosin before ditching them ! > > On Friday, January 17, 2025 at 12:14:55 PM UTC-5 [email protected] wrote: > >> Hi Liz — I'm happy to hear your shifting issues are resolving! I would >> have been a little frustrated by the thumping new chain, glad that's fixed. >> >> When my chain was jumping I didn't have any problems with the Silver 1 >> shifters slipping. I used the same shifters before and after my accident. >> >> Looking back at my notes it seems I couldn't tell by feel that the >> cassette lock ring was loose. And I didn't carefully inspect it before I >> removed and replaced it. So it's possible it was loose enough to cause >> problems but perhaps not evident under the wrench when it was removed. >> >> Bit of a tangent: I find Silver 1s and 2s work well for me. I haven't >> found them overly fussy or irritating to use. The fiddling you describe >> sounds like no fun and I think you're right to swap them out. Shifting >> should be somewhere between a brainless non-issue and fun. Maybe you got a >> bad batch? >> >> I have had other issues with the Silvers, though. The d-ring wingnut >> comes loose but beeswax solves that for me. The plastic washers can crack. >> I have encountered corrosion before inside the shifter body, gumming up the >> internal ratchet and spring mechanisms with chalky powder. I was able to >> disassemble and clean them but unfortunately the head of the shifter cable >> welded to the shifter body via corrosion so the lever was trash. I hope >> that corrosion problems are rare and unique to me. I worry my shed is >> accelerating corrosion with weird moisture problems. >> >> Glad you're back on the road. Let us know when you get the Microshift >> units installed! >> >> Eric >> >> On Friday, January 17, 2025 at 10:45:46 AM UTC-5 J J wrote: >> >>> Liz, it sounds like you and your shop went through a comprehensive (and >>> possibly costly) process of elimination. I'm sorry you've been so >>> frustrated. As I mentioned in a previous message, I, like Doug, have been >>> through this process before. There was no sustainable middle space between >>> the shifters being too loose that they kept slipping and being clamped down >>> so tight that they were hard to shift comfortably. >>> >>> I agree that this does not impugn the shifters themselves. They are >>> great for lots and lots of people. I enjoy fiddling and mechanical >>> tweaking, but I have a saturation point. I'd much rather be riding the bike >>> than fiddling with it. There are other great options that "just work" for >>> me and there's no shame in moving on. >>> >>> Jim >>> >>> On Friday, January 17, 2025 at 8:38:19 AM UTC-5 Doug H. wrote: >>> >>>> Liz, >>>> I have been down the same path with Silver 2 shifters. I really wanted >>>> them to work for me but in the end I changed to Microshift. No more >>>> slipping. >>>> Doug >>>> >>>> On Friday, January 17, 2025 at 7:58:22 AM UTC-5 [email protected] >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Good question, Eric! We’re gonna try Microshifts that can be switched >>>>> to go with either way. I use similar friction/index shifters on my >>>>> Atlantis >>>>> and always keep them switched to friction, the mode I prefer. >>>>> >>>>> Sent with delight from my iPhone >>>>> >>>>> On Jan 17, 2025, at 7:39 AM, Eric Daume <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Are you keeping with friction shifting, or going indexed? >>>>> >>>>> Eric >>>>> >>>>> On Friday, January 17, 2025, [email protected] <[email protected]> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Good Friday morning, friends. >>>>>> >>>>>> I took a beautiful ride on my new Platy yesterday…yes, there is still >>>>>> salt and some ice on the roads and snow is everywhere, but temps were in >>>>>> the 20s and I decided to get the bike out anyway. I don’t want to be so >>>>>> persnickety about a bicycle that I can’t ride it. I’ll pamper it later >>>>>> on. >>>>>> >>>>>> We initially put a new chain on it, but the gears still slipped. >>>>>> >>>>>> Next, we replaced the cassette and also added the dab of blue >>>>>> Locktite everyone suggested to the D ring of the shifter, and the >>>>>> 30-minute >>>>>> ride following those changes proved to solve the shifting issue but >>>>>> turned >>>>>> up a new audible and palpable thumping when in one single gear. My hero >>>>>> mechanics filed down a nub on the new chain and the thumping >>>>>> disappeared. >>>>>> >>>>>> I’m convinced my initial slipping/ghost-shifting problem has been >>>>>> solved…either by replacing the cassette or by the Locktite or the >>>>>> combination of those two. >>>>>> >>>>>> Here’s a decision I might question myself on later—my mechanics and >>>>>> I have lost some confidence in these Silver shifters on my bike, y’all. >>>>>> I >>>>>> can’t help it. And I’m not speaking badly about the shifters or other >>>>>> bicycles or cyclists who find they work well…I’m speaking only of my >>>>>> bike >>>>>> and these shifter and me. >>>>>> >>>>>> Each time the bike is on the stand, when the mechanics shift through >>>>>> the gears, even they have to WORK and fiddle to get the higher gears to >>>>>> settle into gear. Is that making sense? The shifters seem too stiff in >>>>>> those highest gears, and it takes too much finagling and kid-glove >>>>>> handling >>>>>> to get things to work right. I’m not into that kind of riding—I want to >>>>>> shift as I always shift…I’m a competent enough rider and I’ve been at >>>>>> this >>>>>> a long time and I know how to shift and I don’t want to effing think >>>>>> about >>>>>> being careful in the higher gears—so we’re replacing the shifters. I’ll >>>>>> be >>>>>> out of town for a week or two, and when I return, I should have new >>>>>> shifters. They might not work well either…I don’t know. But we’re gonna >>>>>> try >>>>>> it. >>>>>> >>>>>> Liz, and that’s that, in Cincinnati >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 6:36:52 PM UTC-5 John Williams wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Happy New Year Liz! >>>>>>> How frustrating for you! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> There a a few issues/questions: >>>>>>> Are you riding a 1x or 2x chainring set up? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Has the rear derailleur alignment been checked? (The dropout?) >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Are the two jockey wheels aligned? >>>>>>> If you stand behind the parked bike, in the lowest gear, close one >>>>>>> eye and imagine a line strait up and down where the chain comes up off >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> two wheels. If it’s cocked in any way, that can lead to the ghost >>>>>>> shifts. >>>>>>> It can also be the jockey wheels aren’t lubed or aren’t the proper ones >>>>>>> for >>>>>>> your shift system. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Are you certain that the rear cable is free of any possible crimps, >>>>>>> (like under the bottom bracket?) Do you have a kick stand mounted? If >>>>>>> so, >>>>>>> look carefully at the cables adjacent to the kickstand and that the >>>>>>> cables >>>>>>> do NOT touch the kickstand or its bracket. It’s often overlooked. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Another test- grab the rear bare shift cable and see if that shifts >>>>>>> and overrides the shifters. (You may need to put your bike on a >>>>>>> stationary >>>>>>> trainer). >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Last check- make certain you don’t have a modern 11-12 speed chain >>>>>>> on the bike. It takes the older, wider chain on these wider spaced >>>>>>> freewheels/cassettes. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Good luck! >>>>>>> (I wish I had a Platypus, 60, Ana Purple) >>>>>>> >>>>>>> JRW >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Mon, Jan 6, 2025 at 10:45 AM [email protected] <[email protected]> >>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Your thoughts on a skipping/slipping/floating chain and gear, >>>>>>>> please. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> In late November 2024. I received my newly built up Platypus from >>>>>>>> C&L Cycles in Montreal. I love it beyond description. However, there’s >>>>>>>> one >>>>>>>> very frustrating issue that I can’t figure out and wonder what insight >>>>>>>> you >>>>>>>> friends might have about it. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> From the get-go, the gears have slipped. Yes, I’m using friction >>>>>>>> Silver Shifters, and I’ve spent a lot of time eliminating myself as >>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>> problem here. But I’ve ALWAYS used friction shifters on every bike >>>>>>>> (other >>>>>>>> than my Clem) and I’m not a klutz, and I’ve tried really really hard >>>>>>>> to be >>>>>>>> land these gear changes, but this problem just keeps happening. I’ve >>>>>>>> put >>>>>>>> probably 200 miles on the Platypus and I’ve not taken a single ride on >>>>>>>> it >>>>>>>> that this has not been a problem. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> The issue occurs on the rear 9-gear cassette and almost always in >>>>>>>> the highest 3 gears…especially when going uphill or cresting a hill, >>>>>>>> but >>>>>>>> not always. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Sometimes the chain seems to simply float EVEN WHEN I’M NOT >>>>>>>> PEDALING, and then it lands wherever it wants without my touching the >>>>>>>> shifter. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> This is driving me nuts because I adore this bicycle and this >>>>>>>> problem is making me lose trust. It’s not safe to ride in the kind of >>>>>>>> traffic I ride. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I’ve taken the bike to my local bike shop, and we’ve changed the >>>>>>>> chain, but the issue continues. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> (I’m pretty sure no one at the bike shop is actually riding the >>>>>>>> Playtpus very far, which is disappointing…because I’m convinced that >>>>>>>> if >>>>>>>> they ride it far enough they would experience the problem. But I can’t >>>>>>>> force them to take it for a long ride in cold and sloppy weather, so >>>>>>>> now >>>>>>>> I’m considering next moves.) >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Does anyone know of any issues like this with the Silver Shifters? >>>>>>>> I’m considering replacing them with Shimano. Or maybe a new cassette? >>>>>>>> Maybe >>>>>>>> an 8-gears cassette—which is what I have on my trusty Atlantis and >>>>>>>> with >>>>>>>> which I’ve never had an issue with shifting. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I sent an email to Rivendell yesterday, which they should read some >>>>>>>> time today, but I thought I might get somewhere with this group, too. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Liz (who probably isn’t a klutz, but the thought still lingers that >>>>>>>> it might be me but it’s not), snowbound in Cincinnati >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>>>> send an email to [email protected]. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/9fb2ce2e-32e9-4218-a25a-08fa396a4947n%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/9fb2ce2e-32e9-4218-a25a-08fa396a4947n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>> send an email to [email protected]. >>>>>> >>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/f9ee27b7-b14f-4a4f-a0fe-f05cc150068bn%40googlegroups.com >>>>>> >>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/f9ee27b7-b14f-4a4f-a0fe-f05cc150068bn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>> . >>>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the >>>>> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/8FaHJas2ro4/unsubscribe >>>>> . >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>>>> [email protected]. >>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CAHFNW5Do%2B37_Z9MQ5F4_uLeAdZdNxUu6ga6oVH3Y4AB9L4%3D8Tg%40mail.gmail.com >>>>> >>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CAHFNW5Do%2B37_Z9MQ5F4_uLeAdZdNxUu6ga6oVH3Y4AB9L4%3D8Tg%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>> . >>>>> >>>>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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