[RBW] Re: Downtube shifter diehards vs. downtube shifter experimenters
I have found that every system has some advantage. Brifters for riding in heavy traffic; BE friction for touring; DT friction for pure joy riding; but my tandem has BE indexed because I'm too far away to hear it, although I find shifting the tandem with Shimano indexed pretty slow compared to the instantaneous reaction of my Ram. with DT friction. michael -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/jUak307BkN0J. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: Downtube shifter diehards vs. downtube shifter experimenters
Those are exactly what I have. No intention of ever removing them as they work great for road biking. I have bar ends on my trail bike as I don't always want to take my hands off the bars on that one. On Tue, Aug 2, 2011 at 6:50 PM, Dan Abelson d...@abelsons.net wrote: I have 9 speed indexed Dura Ace downtube shifters on my AHH. I like them a lot. I had silver shifters on there before but I prefer the indexed Dura Ace. My AHH is a 55cm. Dan Abelson St. Paul, MN -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- Cheers, David Redlands, CA *...in terms of recreational cycling there are many riders who would probably benefit more from improving their taste than from improving their performance.* - RTMS -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: Downtube shifter diehards vs. downtube shifter experimenters
On Aug 2, 2011, at 5:27 PM, bicyclebill wrote: My Butler originally had Campy downtube shifters and, aside from the question of reach, they were extremely vague and had a mind of their own about shifting. Campy friction downtube shifters *did* have a mind of their own about shifting and combined with the Nuovo/Super Record generation of derailleurs were rather vague. It's really kind of astonishing they had the reputation they did and the death grip on the pro peloton and peloton wannabees that they did. And for as long as they did. The technology didn't change for about 25 years until Sun Tour came along with the slant parallelogram. There's no need to apologize. My generation of cyclists (50+) fetishized Campy Nuovo and Super Record, but that stuff frankly didn't really work all that well. That said, I've still got my NR and SR derailleurs in a box in the basement and I ain't giving them up. Hmmm, I may need to go check and see if they're OK before I go to work. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Downtube shifter diehards vs. downtube shifter experimenters
I'm a DT shifter. They work, they are simple, I like the look. I've gotten pretty good at shifting both levers at once with the right hand, so DTs usually aren't a hassle. That said, I have been thinking it would be nice to switch my rough stuff bike to brifters, because DT shifting is a bit awkward when riding tricky trails. I'm impressed by the current generation of SRAM brifters - a mega improvement from brifters of years ago. On Aug 2, 6:27 pm, bicyclebill b...@wbpnet.com wrote: This will probably get me a lot of flack but please keep in mind that one of my non-RBW bike is a Claud Butler, so I'm no enemy of tradition. Having said that, I believe that each generation of shifters has represented evolution and that the state of the art has improved. My Butler originally had Campy downtube shifters and, aside from the question of reach, they were extremely vague and had a mind of their own about shifting. Before you get on me about adjustments, please know that in addition to my own efforts these were adjusted by very experienced mechanics including those at my LBS, Harris Cyclery. I then went to Campy bar ends and found the position much better but the shifting equally vague. From there to Sun Tour bar ends and a whole new world! Using them in friction mode (I've never tried them in indexed mode), these are still my favorites. For a couple of years, I had a Cannondale touring bike with Shimano STI brifters and I have to say they were a pleasure. I spend most of my time on the tops and on the hoods and the STI's were convenient, effective and very reliable. While the STI indexing worked flawlessly, I still prefer friction and have thus resorted to bar ends on both the Butler (Sun Tour) and my Bleriot (Shimano). I've heard the arguments that if you're in Katmandu and your STI's break down, who's going to fix them. Since the next time I'm in Katmandu will be the first time, that's a bridge I'm willing to cross later! In the interest of full disclosure, I also have a Cervelo Soloist with Dure Ace STI shifters but that's a completely different story! On Aug 2, 2:31 pm, Roger rogerdhod...@gmail.com wrote: I ride a 65cm, and the downtube shifters are right in the arcswing of my arm if I bend my other elbow just a bit to lower myself. If one's arm doesn't swing to the dt shifters, I wouldn't recommend using them no matter what height they are. It may have to do with leg/torso/arm proportions, but I don't think it's intrinsic to being tall. I think it's a losing battle to ever encourage someone to switch to dt's. Probably most new users in this era will be self-motivators who will try it on their own, and some will stick with it. I like it really well, but no one was gonna tell me to use such an elegantly simple way to shift. The only time that dt's make one's life demonstrably better is while experimenting with stems and bars. On Aug 2, 11:02 am, Rex Kerr rexk...@gmail.com wrote: Interesting question. I'm also curious how much frame size has to do with DT shifter preferences. I ride a ~67 cm frame and the reach to DT shifters is insane, making me uncomfortable using them. For this reason I have a strong preference for barend shifters. I'm curious if this is true for other tall riders. -Rex On Fri, Jul 29, 2011 at 5:00 AM, Forrest ftme...@me.com wrote: Among those of you who now use downtube shifters (or have in the past), how many of you are confirmed fans of downtube shifting, and how many of you tried it as an experiment but then switched to a different shifting system that you felt was better? Oh, and any thoughts re downtube indexed vs. downtube friction would be welcome. Thanks, -- Forrest (Iowa City) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/ewWKs5Wvv_gJ. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: Downtube shifter diehards vs. downtube shifter experimenters
+1 on STI, and for that matter SPD also. I have always heard you'll damage STI in a crash, but I've never had that happen although crashes, thank my personal deity, have been rare. I have, however, a box full of broken BE shifters, which now are used/given/lent as spare parts, and are almost completely a result of 0 mph tip-overs or some such. If your in Litchfield, NE and your bike tips over while you were taking a quick comfort break, and you BE snaps off, who's going to fix it? Yes eventually STI shifters do run the course of a useful lifespan, but the journey is worth it. Same goes for SPD's. Once you get a pair of shoes (SIDI's for example) dialed-in, there is nothing better. The A520/530 are my own preference, but YMMV. On Wed, Aug 3, 2011 at 6:49 AM, Michael Hechmer mhech...@gmail.com wrote: I have found that every system has some advantage. Brifters for riding in heavy traffic; BE friction for touring; DT friction for pure joy riding; but my tandem has BE indexed because I'm too far away to hear it, although I find shifting the tandem with Shimano indexed pretty slow compared to the instantaneous reaction of my Ram. with DT friction. michael -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/jUak307BkN0J. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: Downtube shifter diehards vs. downtube shifter experimenters
On Wed, 2011-08-03 at 07:41 -0400, robert zeidler wrote: If your in Litchfield, NE and your bike tips over while you were taking a quick comfort break, and you BE snaps off, who's going to fix it? I've been using bar end shifters since 1974 or 1975, currently have them on something like 6 or 7 bikes, and not only haven't had a BE snap off, have neither seen it, nor ever have heard of it before. And believe me, I take plenty of naturals, you could even call me Mr. Natural, alias I. P. Everywhere. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Downtube shifter diehards vs. downtube shifter experimenters
I have seen plenty of STI failure, but never bar ends On Aug 3, 5:41 am, robert zeidler zeidler.rob...@gmail.com wrote: +1 on STI, and for that matter SPD also. I have always heard you'll damage STI in a crash, but I've never had that happen although crashes, thank my personal deity, have been rare. I have, however, a box full of broken BE shifters, which now are used/given/lent as spare parts, and are almost completely a result of 0 mph tip-overs or some such. If your in Litchfield, NE and your bike tips over while you were taking a quick comfort break, and you BE snaps off, who's going to fix it? Yes eventually STI shifters do run the course of a useful lifespan, but the journey is worth it. Same goes for SPD's. Once you get a pair of shoes (SIDI's for example) dialed-in, there is nothing better. The A520/530 are my own preference, but YMMV. On Wed, Aug 3, 2011 at 6:49 AM, Michael Hechmer mhech...@gmail.com wrote: I have found that every system has some advantage. Brifters for riding in heavy traffic; BE friction for touring; DT friction for pure joy riding; but my tandem has BE indexed because I'm too far away to hear it, although I find shifting the tandem with Shimano indexed pretty slow compared to the instantaneous reaction of my Ram. with DT friction. michael -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/jUak307BkN0J. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Downtube shifter diehards vs. downtube shifter experimenters
This thread seems to have divided into two parts, but I want to respond to both. I have broken two pairs of Ultegra STI shifters in crashes, fortunately not irreparably so. The first one went down hard on a dirt road and was so filled with dirt it would not work. I needed to flush nearly a whole bottle of wd 40 through them to clean them out. The second was an endo through an old style parallel sewer grate, which cracked both of the little plastic caps and Shimano charged an ungodly amount for replacements. I have crashed with BE and never had any problem, in fact it's hard to think what could break. Unrelated, I used Campy NR DT shifters and then the first version of Chorus DT 7 spd shifters and I never found them vague. Both of those, mated to Campy derailleurs had a very definite overshift, which requires a very slight backing up with the shifter. Once mastered it was second nature. michael -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/yWAeQWFrlBQJ. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Downtube shifter diehards vs. downtube shifter experimenters
Over a period of 40+ years and tens of thousands of bike miles on all kinds of rigs and several good hard crashes, I have had 2 irreparable shifter failures. The first was my Shimano 600 downtube shifters (right 6-speed) the notches for indexing simply wore out. Thought I have to admit I was living in a cascade rainforest at the time and driving to work, so a lot of my riding on this bike was on rollers and the downtube shifters (and headset and stem bolt) ended up with salt corrosion from my sweat, so I think that contributed. But I also hear these particular shifters were prone to failure. The second failure was last year when my front 105 brifter died in the middle of a cross race.I tried flushing with copious amounts of Triflow and all kinds of tricks, but the catch mechanism was simply broke. Again, I've heard from others that this particular Shimano 105 double/triple left brifter fails commonly. All in all, like many things bike related, I'm mostly amazed at how well even inexpensive components continue to perform. On Aug 3, 2:29 pm, Michael Hechmer mhech...@gmail.com wrote: This thread seems to have divided into two parts, but I want to respond to both. I have broken two pairs of Ultegra STI shifters in crashes, fortunately not irreparably so. The first one went down hard on a dirt road and was so filled with dirt it would not work. I needed to flush nearly a whole bottle of wd 40 through them to clean them out. The second was an endo through an old style parallel sewer grate, which cracked both of the little plastic caps and Shimano charged an ungodly amount for replacements. I have crashed with BE and never had any problem, in fact it's hard to think what could break. Unrelated, I used Campy NR DT shifters and then the first version of Chorus DT 7 spd shifters and I never found them vague. Both of those, mated to Campy derailleurs had a very definite overshift, which requires a very slight backing up with the shifter. Once mastered it was second nature. michael -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Downtube shifter diehards vs. downtube shifter experimenters
I ride a 65cm, and the downtube shifters are right in the arcswing of my arm if I bend my other elbow just a bit to lower myself. If one's arm doesn't swing to the dt shifters, I wouldn't recommend using them no matter what height they are. It may have to do with leg/torso/arm proportions, but I don't think it's intrinsic to being tall. I think it's a losing battle to ever encourage someone to switch to dt's. Probably most new users in this era will be self-motivators who will try it on their own, and some will stick with it. I like it really well, but no one was gonna tell me to use such an elegantly simple way to shift. The only time that dt's make one's life demonstrably better is while experimenting with stems and bars. On Aug 2, 11:02 am, Rex Kerr rexk...@gmail.com wrote: Interesting question. I'm also curious how much frame size has to do with DT shifter preferences. I ride a ~67 cm frame and the reach to DT shifters is insane, making me uncomfortable using them. For this reason I have a strong preference for barend shifters. I'm curious if this is true for other tall riders. -Rex On Fri, Jul 29, 2011 at 5:00 AM, Forrest ftme...@me.com wrote: Among those of you who now use downtube shifters (or have in the past), how many of you are confirmed fans of downtube shifting, and how many of you tried it as an experiment but then switched to a different shifting system that you felt was better? Oh, and any thoughts re downtube indexed vs. downtube friction would be welcome. Thanks, -- Forrest (Iowa City) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/ewWKs5Wvv_gJ. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Downtube shifter diehards vs. downtube shifter experimenters
The first real road bike I owned (Bianchi Limited, 1986-ish) had downtube shifters and I've always had at least one bike so equipped since then. In my long range plans for a custom rando bike, it will have downtube shifters. My daily commuter has friction DT shifters, as does my Trek 560. I also have bikes with thumb shifters, a Bontrager mtb with grip-shifts (hate those but haven't taken the time to convert yet), and a cross bike with brifters - whose only advantage I can see is when I race I really can shift quicker. But those buggers are sure expensive to replace and I hate components I can't service myself. Strangely, the only thing I don't currently have running is bar-ends, but that's going to change when I get the dirt-drops on the 91 MB 2 ;-) As others have said - though maybe not here, one advantage to DT shifters (besides simplicity) is that on longer rides you regularly take you hands (or one hand at least) off the bars. This helps relieve pressure and fatigue, I think. And maybe it's how I was programed when I formed my love for the bicycle, but I prefer the look of a steel road bike w/DT shifters to the look of any other bike. Mike On Aug 2, 11:12 am, John Speare johnspe...@gmail.com wrote: I like indexed DT 8 speed shifting on my commuter and my long distance bike. I guess I actually love it. I'm generally moving towards indexing on most of my bikes: -- trails bike (Rawland dSogn) has 8 speed brifters -- which I love for technical climbing. -- CX (RB-T) bike has single 8 speed brifter -- mountain bike is indexed. Until now, I didn't realize that I'd made such a transformation. I must say though, that I do miss the feel of Suntour barcons, which I used to run nearly exclusively on all drop-bar bikes. My move to the dark side of indexing stated with the DT shifters though, which index beautifully since there's only one loop in the housing. On Fri, Jul 29, 2011 at 5:00 AM, Forrest ftme...@me.com wrote: Among those of you who now use downtube shifters (or have in the past), how many of you are confirmed fans of downtube shifting, and how many of you tried it as an experiment but then switched to a different shifting system that you felt was better? Oh, and any thoughts re downtube indexed vs. downtube friction would be welcome. Thanks, -- Forrest (Iowa City) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/ewWKs5Wvv_gJ. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- John Speare Spokane, WA USAhttp://cyclingspokane.blogspot.com/ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Downtube shifter diehards vs. downtube shifter experimenters
Dowtubers are great for double shifts,too, wherein you want to get a rear upshift with a front downshift at the same time so the cadence change isn't so drastic. Get ahold of both shifters with one hand and push forward. Sweet. Joe push push Bernard Fairfield, CA. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/xEV7rvMH4OYJ. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Downtube shifter diehards vs. downtube shifter experimenters
I enjoy down tube levers also and grew up riding themnot quite as convenient but having to stretch down slightly keeps me from obsessively shifting. Since I built my first single (actually two) speed, I've gone from a 8 to a 7 speed drive train on my derailleur bicycle and will probably remove my triple crank and go with a 46x30 double. I'm just finding I don't need so many gear ratios which makes me wonder about my first old ten speed. I think those early derailleur bicycles with 4 and 5 rear cogs were pretty cool too. On Aug 2, 3:57 pm, Tim McNamara tim...@bitstream.net wrote: Downtube friction. I guess I am a diehard, I used Shimano STI first and then Campy Ergo during the decade I raced, but after I stopped in 2000 I went back to downtube friction shifting. It's just what I prefer, I suppose because that's what I grew up with. I don't like all those cables going to the handlebars. I have STI on our tandem, downtubers would be difficult as the braze-ons would have to be brazed on and I don't feel like ruining the paint. Besides, it's not like I am out there saying jeez, I HATE STI, why aren't their downtube shifters on this bike?!? STI doesn't ruin the ride for me. It's a bike, not a fetish. Or at least it ought to be. On Jul 29, 2011, at 7:00 AM, Forrest wrote: Among those of you who now use downtube shifters (or have in the past), how many of you are confirmed fans of downtube shifting, and how many of you tried it as an experiment but then switched to a different shifting system that you felt was better? Oh, and any thoughts re downtube indexed vs. downtube friction would be welcome. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: Downtube shifter diehards vs. downtube shifter experimenters
I have the gamut of shfters, as well. On my commute-rigged Bleriot, I use an old pair of SunTour stem shifters in friction. Like Rene, it's a convenient place to locate them for upright riding. Also, as someone else mentioned, I can shift both at once with one hand, although I don't do that very often. He is a pict of the shifters set up on the Bleriot when I had Alba bars. I now have Jitensha flat bars on it, but still use the stem shifters. By the way, stem and dt shifters sure make switching out h'bars a lot easier. http://www.flickr.com/photos/8581354@N03/4549201864/in/set-72157623799483763/ From: Joe Bernard joerem...@gmail.com To: rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com Sent: Tue, August 2, 2011 4:08:06 PM Subject: [RBW] Re: Downtube shifter diehards vs. downtube shifter experimenters Dowtubers are great for double shifts,too, wherein you want to get a rear upshift with a front downshift at the same time so the cadence change isn't so drastic. Get ahold of both shifters with one hand and push forward. Sweet. Joe push push Bernard Fairfield, CA. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/xEV7rvMH4OYJ. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: Downtube shifter diehards vs. downtube shifter experimenters
I have 9 speed indexed Dura Ace downtube shifters on my AHH. I like them a lot. I had silver shifters on there before but I prefer the indexed Dura Ace. My AHH is a 55cm. Dan Abelson St. Paul, MN -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Downtube shifter diehards vs. downtube shifter experimenters
This is all sounding pretty shifty to me.. On Aug 2, 5:51 pm, Ray Shine r.sh...@sbcglobal.net wrote: I have the gamut of shfters, as well. On my commute-rigged Bleriot, I use an old pair of SunTour stem shifters in friction. Like Rene, it's a convenient place to locate them for upright riding. Also, as someone else mentioned, I can shift both at once with one hand, although I don't do that very often. He is a pict of the shifters set up on the Bleriot when I had Alba bars. I now have Jitensha flat bars on it, but still use the stem shifters. By the way, stem and dt shifters sure make switching out h'bars a lot easier. http://www.flickr.com/photos/8581354@N03/4549201864/in/set-7215762379... From: Joe Bernard joerem...@gmail.com To: rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com Sent: Tue, August 2, 2011 4:08:06 PM Subject: [RBW] Re: Downtube shifter diehards vs. downtube shifter experimenters Dowtubers are great for double shifts,too, wherein you want to get a rear upshift with a front downshift at the same time so the cadence change isn't so drastic. Get ahold of both shifters with one hand and push forward. Sweet. Joe push push Bernard Fairfield, CA. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To view this discussion on the web visithttps://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/xEV7rvMH4OYJ. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Downtube shifter diehards vs. downtube shifter experimenters
This will probably get me a lot of flack but please keep in mind that one of my non-RBW bike is a Claud Butler, so I'm no enemy of tradition. Having said that, I believe that each generation of shifters has represented evolution and that the state of the art has improved. My Butler originally had Campy downtube shifters and, aside from the question of reach, they were extremely vague and had a mind of their own about shifting. Before you get on me about adjustments, please know that in addition to my own efforts these were adjusted by very experienced mechanics including those at my LBS, Harris Cyclery. I then went to Campy bar ends and found the position much better but the shifting equally vague. From there to Sun Tour bar ends and a whole new world! Using them in friction mode (I've never tried them in indexed mode), these are still my favorites. For a couple of years, I had a Cannondale touring bike with Shimano STI brifters and I have to say they were a pleasure. I spend most of my time on the tops and on the hoods and the STI's were convenient, effective and very reliable. While the STI indexing worked flawlessly, I still prefer friction and have thus resorted to bar ends on both the Butler (Sun Tour) and my Bleriot (Shimano). I've heard the arguments that if you're in Katmandu and your STI's break down, who's going to fix them. Since the next time I'm in Katmandu will be the first time, that's a bridge I'm willing to cross later! In the interest of full disclosure, I also have a Cervelo Soloist with Dure Ace STI shifters but that's a completely different story! On Aug 2, 2:31 pm, Roger rogerdhod...@gmail.com wrote: I ride a 65cm, and the downtube shifters are right in the arcswing of my arm if I bend my other elbow just a bit to lower myself. If one's arm doesn't swing to the dt shifters, I wouldn't recommend using them no matter what height they are. It may have to do with leg/torso/arm proportions, but I don't think it's intrinsic to being tall. I think it's a losing battle to ever encourage someone to switch to dt's. Probably most new users in this era will be self-motivators who will try it on their own, and some will stick with it. I like it really well, but no one was gonna tell me to use such an elegantly simple way to shift. The only time that dt's make one's life demonstrably better is while experimenting with stems and bars. On Aug 2, 11:02 am, Rex Kerr rexk...@gmail.com wrote: Interesting question. I'm also curious how much frame size has to do with DT shifter preferences. I ride a ~67 cm frame and the reach to DT shifters is insane, making me uncomfortable using them. For this reason I have a strong preference for barend shifters. I'm curious if this is true for other tall riders. -Rex On Fri, Jul 29, 2011 at 5:00 AM, Forrest ftme...@me.com wrote: Among those of you who now use downtube shifters (or have in the past), how many of you are confirmed fans of downtube shifting, and how many of you tried it as an experiment but then switched to a different shifting system that you felt was better? Oh, and any thoughts re downtube indexed vs. downtube friction would be welcome. Thanks, -- Forrest (Iowa City) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/ewWKs5Wvv_gJ. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Downtube shifter diehards vs. downtube shifter experimenters
Well, I ride a 54, so I'm def. on the small side. I've been using bar end shifters but am looking to switch to DT's. Travel break down, shorter cables, less cable housing, etc. are the motivation for me. Anyone looking to move a pair of Dura Ace SL7700's (the straight lever DT specific 9 speed type) please let me know and I'll snatch 'em up asap! jsk On Aug 2, 2:02 pm, Rex Kerr rexk...@gmail.com wrote: Interesting question. I'm also curious how much frame size has to do with DT shifter preferences. I ride a ~67 cm frame and the reach to DT shifters is insane, making me uncomfortable using them. For this reason I have a strong preference for barend shifters. I'm curious if this is true for other tall riders. -Rex On Fri, Jul 29, 2011 at 5:00 AM, Forrest ftme...@me.com wrote: Among those of you who now use downtube shifters (or have in the past), how many of you are confirmed fans of downtube shifting, and how many of you tried it as an experiment but then switched to a different shifting system that you felt was better? Oh, and any thoughts re downtube indexed vs. downtube friction would be welcome. Thanks, -- Forrest (Iowa City) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/ewWKs5Wvv_gJ. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
