What Can Old Friction Shifters Teach Us? | Tech Tuesday #225

Learn something new from something old. That's been Calvin's mantra as he rebuilds the old Paramount race bike. In the case of this week's Tech Tuesday, it's the old friction shifter system showing us the basic concepts that all modern shifting systems use.

For other videos featuring this old racing bike, see this playlist:

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[eddieallen]

And it’s not just good for teaching people how gears work. Riding a friction shifting bike is an everyday pleasure.

[stuartfreedman]

Friction shifting was like playing a musical instrument. You just get better with practice. The old Campag stuff was SUCH a joy to work on btw.

[fabiopunk]

I sold recently my 1971 Columbus-tubing Campagnolo-Nuovo-Record bicycle. I had put it together myself under my uncle's supervision. I have many bicycles now and a piece of my heart went away with that bike....
We believe things nowadays are way better than in the past. They are better, however past things were working very, very fine. In addition they had one thing: simplicity.

[CrustyRusty]

In 1996 I took off my Suntour friction shifters and tried the Shimano intergraded shift and brake levers. In 2006 I took the shift/brake levers off and put on my Suntour friction shifters. I am now 71 years and will keep these on until I can no longer ride.

[sehsuan]

Haven’t been watching Park Tool videos for a while - but learning the “how it works” mentality helps a lot in other aspects of life too 🙂

[Sekhmet]

Imagine having to explain to a cyclist from the ‘50s that in the future one would need to “update the firmware” of their shifters

[swnorcraft]

Over 35 years ago, I acquired a Fuji road bike, used. It had friction shifters. It was a great machine. I rode it most some years later while attending college. You had to feather the shifters to the quietest place for each shift. Familiarity, use and persistence were the key. Thanks for

[guennadiyf]

Absolute blockbuster series in cycling Youtube videos!

[RoadKing]

Ive been riding my old Gaint road bike for 20 plus years with this type of shifter. No complaints from me.

[subtropicalken]

At 73, I grew up on friction shifters. When I got a bike with index shifters about 15 years ago I thought I had died and gone to heaven. The only problem I’ve had with index shifters is when I unknowingly bent the rear derailleur hanger. When I fixed that, all was right in heaven again. You actually get very good with friction shifters; on a ten speed. A lot of room for error.

[kevinbarker]

I just love friction shifters, so simple, easy to use and satisfying finding the sweet spot.

[sbrown]

With my first Summer job, I bought a Bottecchia Campione del Mondo with Campagnolo friction shifters. Such a beautiful bike, with the hand painted pinstripes, and that shade of red that the Italians do so well.

[mattmatthews]

I rode indexed bikes for a few years. I started with friction shifters and have returned to friction shifters. They feel smooth and I can instantly jump seven or more cogs. I love them.

[lunam]

friction shifters are and will be the best forever and ever!!

[nelsonsawyer]

I'm using friction lever shifters since I changed my Shimano SIS system from a 6 speed to a 7 speed freewheel. I'm using the levers in friction mode instead of indexed, using my ears to tweak the gear changes. I'm running a Shimano MF-TZ500-7 14-34 freewheel and I'm loving that 34 teeth gear to climb steep hills. Brazed-on shifter on the frame is more convenient as I'm using clip-on aero bars. It's a better all around solution using one bike to do the hills and the flats.

[josedelnegro]

I am so thankful for your tools and your viedos. They do not tell us that our bikes do not go out of alinement etcetra right out in front of our bike shop. One must know how to service one's bike on road or trail. I had to watch you 20 times just to learn how to change a flat. It took two years of practice to be able to change a flat with in compleate darkness. Bikes no matter how expensive neither quit in front of shops nor in perfect conditions. Thanks.

[dillroastington]

Learned almost as much from riding old bikes as i have from watching these videos. Thanks!

[calcagnolibero]

Very clear video and as an Italian I cannot thank enough Calvin for pronouncing Campagnolo correctly!!!!
After thirty years riding indexed I recently came back to friction on all my bikes and cannot be more happy. Thumb shifters on my alt bar bikes and bar ends on my drop bar bikes. I don't depend anymore on the brand of the rear derailleur or the number of the sprockets and every change of gear that come out silently and smoothly increase my self esteem.

[Paul_Spence]

Thank you Calvin. I've just converted my old Gios Torino back to Campagnolo super Record as at some time in its life it was fitted with Dura Ace 7400. This video has been extremely helpful and now my bike is back to factory spec.👍

[kenschwarz]

The bar-end shifters on my ‘93 Bridgestone have switch-defeatable indexing, which is great if things get wonky when riding. It’s easy enough to find the right spot, but indexing is soooo much better. I used friction shifters on my 10-speeds in the late seventies and early eighties…and they were fine at the time.