Why EVERYONE Should Try Friction Shifters!

We live in a time of electric and acoustic bikes. In this vid, I make the case for friction shifters in 2021.

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[slantedorbit]

The irony is that the more sprockets in a cassette, the better friction shifting works! and the faster you can sweep across multiple gears!

[mkysiak]

As they are older technology than index shifters, I’d rather call them „forward compatible”...

[LathanM]

Grew up with downtube friction shifters and still have them on a few bikes. They were a lifesaver on my touring bike when I tacoed a wheel and had to borrow a wheel from the support van. My wheel was a 7 and the support wheel was a 6. Adjusted the end stop and I was able to keep riding for the next day and a half until I was able to get my wheel back.

[TylerMumford]

Lol, I was this old when I learned the proper term "friction shifters". When I was a kid, my 10-speed bike just had "gears".

[CaffHCloudlow]

In a weird way, it really made me feel more connected to my bike, as the amount I needed to shift became muscle memory, it's not dictated by the shifter. It feels nice. Yes there are pros and cons. It has been about 12 years and many bikes since my 1983 mixte with stem mounted friction shifters but I just rode a VO Neutrino with a thumbie and it all came back and felt great and performed very well.

[Gekoman]

The main reason I ride my old 87 Raleigh more than my new Trek, even though it’s slower, is because of the friction shifters. Maybe I’m just biased because I’m more used to my old bike, but it just feels more smooth and intuitive. There’s this direct responsiveness that gives me the feeling that the bike is a direct extension of my body, rather than clicking a button and hoping the bike listens to me.

[shred]

Friction shifters on the stem 40 yr ago as a kid with my first road bike. That’s how it was for most of us. I’ve got Dura Ace on a 1990 Miyata restoration and while the rear derailleur is connected to an indexed downtube shifter, the front is friction and works so well, no chain rub here - you have total control

[sergiografbike]

Very easy... I have 1982 bike with this Shifters and I changed rear DERAILIEURS, rear cassetes, and the shifters still working perfect! Greatings from Brasil !!

[Alexander-dnrw]

Another thing I love about friction shifters: they can last for years or almost decades without needing to be retuned or replaced, probably good to tune them every once in awhile though. I've gotten bikes from junkyards and bikes abandoned in bushes for years and they shift like they're almost brand new. Some may have rusty cables that get stuck, but if the cable moves, they're gonna work

[elorz]

One understated advantage of friction shifters (frifters) is that you can see/feel in which gear you are by their position without looking at your casette.

[greggr]

Friction shifters: proven tech that will never be obsolete ✅. They're especially good as thumbies on flat or upright bars. 👍🏻

[bjmihovk]

I run friction on my bike and I see no reason to use anything else for what I’m doing. 2x9 and loving it!

[DavidFraser]

I converted my old 10 speed to a 12 speed index shift. I went from down tube tube shifter to stem tube first. You can change gear, take a quick look between your legs and then line up the chain perfectly if you need to. I've had the bike since new in 1987. I will be converting it back to friction shifting again.

[glennpettersson]

Fricters are the ultimate get out of jail free card when it comes to transmissions. The only thing less stressful is single speed.🤔🤗👍

[betterpreparedness]

For a long-distance touring set-up, friction shifters are great since the gear cables stretch but your shifting does not go out of whack.

[johnmcclain]

Well, for a few of us "old guys" the learning curve was getting the indexing, and questioning whether they were sure enough, compared to friction shifters. I just learned to use Campi indexing on a bike built last year, kind of feeling out a "cassette" of ten, with two up front. Everything I ever dreamed of, and lots more. I like them, but they do get cranky with weather and getting into rough roads, but I've not gone back yet, just trying the "fatter tire" thing that I've watched for a couple years, and am liking the smoother ride, knowing it's just as fast. Thanks for showing this, good to know there's ones built modern, for these long shifting derailleurs.

[OpelWagenGt]

While I agree that friction shifters are an awesome option I feel like you should have touched on compatibility based on age. What I mean is that an old friction shifter from the 70's designed around 5-7 speed will not pull the cable far enough for 10 speed and up. You will run out of lever action before you hit the lowest cog on the cassette. It is worth mentioning because people might try using an old dia compe that they got at the local co-op only to find out that they get 8-9 of their 11 speed cassette. Just something I feel like you missed here but great video in all!

[ehounshell]

I actually had never ridden with indexed shifters until 2021!

[ClockworksOfGL]

Love friction shifters, but I find them difficult to use in loud traffic. I need to hear if the chain is dragging.

[johnbaker]

Back in the ancient times of the 60’s and 70’s friction shifter world one mark of a good cyclist was the ability to jump out of the saddle and shift with a single “clunk” sound rather than a “grind”.