What is friction shifting?

If you're looking at a buying a bike that has friction shifting. Here's what you need to know.

[PimpolloMorales]

There's so much text about friction shifting out there, but what finally made me understand it was just watching your one minute video. Kudos, my dude

[matthewcole]

That was actually a very satisfying outro

[Sarup]

so it goes by feel instead of like the click type

[Slocket]

After being frustrated with half shifts and clicking between gears of an modern index digital shifter, I went back to friction shifters. It always shift no matter what the temperature and weather, much less fuss for tuning, and it always shifts. I compare it to a manual and automatic transmission. I want absolute sure fire shifts fast I get from the analog friction shifters.

[tiehut]

Usually, when the left shifter is in the up position, the chainwheel on the crank will be in the small (easiest) chainring. When the right shifter is in the up position, the rear cassette will be in the small (hardest) cog. This means that your easiest gear will be left lever up and right lever down. Your hardest gear will be left lever down and right lever up.

[pauldrumwell]

I like your style, straight to the point 👍🏻 many thanks.

[maxmarrero-sbej]

is harder to adjust it in the right gear. But has the advantage that is simless infinite adjustment.

[nigahiga]

Friction shifters are a pain at first, but the advantages quickly reveal themselves. They're more reliable, and they are easy to adjust. Plus, you can easily replace derailleurs and cassettes without worrying about shifter compatibility. I have a hybrid bike with a friction system I installed. I love swapping cassettes for different conditions. I usually ride with a 7-speed during commutes, and on weekend trail rides I swap that out for a 10-speed cassette and chain. Flexibility, reliability, and simplicity are worth the small price of less accurate shifting.

[rekostarr]

This is awesome! Looks really shinny 0.0

[highyields]

at 0:05 - where can I buy a cable housing clamp that small for my rear triangle?

[tiehut]

I agree with you. I am switching back to friction shifters because index shifters are high-maintenance.

[johnmealer]

So this was a good video that showed me what friction shifting was. I just bought an old Schwinn Continental and have never seen friction shifters before...I'm not a biker...but when I took it home, cleaned it up and all that good stuff, I tried it out and got the concept, thanks to your video...but while I am riding, the "gears" seem to go back up on their own after I pull them down to get started. Any chance you could explain this to me and maybe give me some kind of fix?

[kennethtran]

I bought an old peugeot from the 70s. Thought it was broken but I just wasnt shifting it. Thanks

[fillintheblankstare]

Thanks for posting this, as far as I can tell this is the only video I could find anywhere that shows friction shifters working. I just bought some for my wal mart road bike, because it came with mtn bike shifters. What a difference! I guess when both levers are up it should have the chain on the small ring in the front and back? The as you pull them towards you it pulls the derailleurs? It seems like mine are backwards but they seem to match up the same as the video. Anyhow thanks for the video

[plinden]

I have one, but I don't get what is keeping the chain in gear since derailleur bulling outwards

[AllanDeclanStoneFong]

Thx for video. Does that also mean that I can use/replace it with any freewheel/cogs?

And it would be very helpful if you could make a video on any kind of adjustments I can do on friction shifting. Cause I'm a noob, and I'm not sure if it's the same process for modern day derailleurs. Thx.

[tiehut]

Yes, the beauty of friction shifting is that you can mix all types of shifting equipment. For example, you can use a Shimano cassette with a Campagnolo derailleur with a Suntour friction shifter. The only thing you have to avoid is using too wide a chain with small rear cogs.

Adjusting derailleurs for friction shifting is the same as for index shifting except that you do not have to adjust the barrel adjuster that is required for adjusting index shifting.

[Jasshands]

hey, I had a bike stolen from me (cannondale trail sl4) and now Im picking up a older road bike, cannondale, looks really nice, but is there anything I should know about friction shifters, Im used to trigger shifting and wondering if friction will be reliable and easy to get a hang of.

[tigertraveler]

hi bro . .. im from bangadesh . .recently i bought a bike like this bike with friction shifter but no back dreauler . .. can i install a new dreauler with friction shifter ?

[lromeroyt]

Hi how do I go from down tube shifters to stem shifters?