10-29-2014, 01:28 AM
Hello,
I've just gotten my 1980s road bike running again. I'm loving it, except that after over a decade of integrated gear levers, I'm finding the old-school stem-mounted friction levers quite awkward. I've just become too used to being able to change gears while braking, which feels essential for manoeuvring in real-life city traffic.
I'm wondering how realistic a task it would be to upgrade them to use combo style levers. I know I'd probably have to replace the entire gear system, but I think it'd be worth it. But do indexed gear systems take up more space on the axle? Might they be incompatible with a 1980s frame? Are there any other gotyas I should consider?
I've seen instructions on this site and others for changing between different types of indexed gear systems, or moving levers around, but I haven't found anything that's quite as much of a leap as what I'm proposing. But maybe I just don't know the best keywords.
Other ideas?
Thanks,
MikZ.
I've just gotten my 1980s road bike running again. I'm loving it, except that after over a decade of integrated gear levers, I'm finding the old-school stem-mounted friction levers quite awkward. I've just become too used to being able to change gears while braking, which feels essential for manoeuvring in real-life city traffic.
I'm wondering how realistic a task it would be to upgrade them to use combo style levers. I know I'd probably have to replace the entire gear system, but I think it'd be worth it. But do indexed gear systems take up more space on the axle? Might they be incompatible with a 1980s frame? Are there any other gotyas I should consider?
I've seen instructions on this site and others for changing between different types of indexed gear systems, or moving levers around, but I haven't found anything that's quite as much of a leap as what I'm proposing. But maybe I just don't know the best keywords.
Other ideas?
Thanks,
MikZ.