Changing from down tube shifters

[GeorgeET]

Been toying with the idea of putting MB handlebar shifters on my 85 Fuji. The down tube shifters work fine, but the snick click SIS shifters on my MB are nice with gear indicators.

Anyone done this before, not looking to spend big bucks as nothing is broken.

Could I keep all the components and just add cables and shifters or will the derailleurs need to be changed too, sprocket cluster?.

Looks like I'll need to set up a photobucket folder to post, as direct posting is no longer an option. That's true of most lists, so we had it good for a while. :-)))

[Painkiller]

Hey George, do you have a double up front? How many speeds in the back? With a double up front and 7 in the rear, I use top mount thumbies for that mod. friction on the front, index for the rear, No need to change the front derailleur and if the rear is already indexed it should be fine also. You may need to ad cable stops, If your rear cluster is not ramped (like HG style), replacing that would make it smoother.

[GeorgeET]

Thanks for the info PK its 2X6 gears 12 speed. All original Suntour Lepree. Works OK but its slower than click snick SIS. So it looks like I'd need a indexed rear derailleur and thumb shifters. I like the idea of just doing the rear drive. The front rarely gets changed. Matter of fact I pretty much use the middle gear (3) with the small front for most of my ride so I can even go one speed. That may be more fun and loose 2-3 lbs.

I think I can Just take the large front sprocket off. Its a freewheel so what kind of adopters would I need there to change to a single sprocket? (Easier than a cassette.)
Got to set up a photo host and move my photos there.

[nfmisso]

Hi George;

The least expensive, and safest thing to try is just not shift.....  If that works for you, then a SS will work to, but why modify the bike?

To answer some of your questions: there are clamp on cable stops with adjusters (you really want the adjusters, trust me on this) and there are adjusters to fit on bosses if your frame has bosses for the shifters:
http://www.niagaracycle.com/categories/problem-solvers-downtube-shift-cable-adjusters-stainless
http://www.niagaracycle.com/categories/origin8-downtube-shifter-adapter-31-8-28-6mm-black

You can get 2x7 brifters: http://www.niagaracycle.com/categories/shimano-st-a070-road-shifter-2-x-7-speed-black

Other indexed shifter choices:
http://www.niagaracycle.com/categories/shimano-altus-sl-m310-rapid-fire-shifter-right-7-speed
http://www.niagaracycle.com/categories/shimano-shifters-sl-tx30-tourney-3x7-pair
http://www.niagaracycle.com/categories/sunrace-m53-7-speed-shifter-set-black

You do MIGHT need to swap out your freewheel for a 7 speed one. Measure your current cog space, and compare: http://sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-spacing.html  If your cogs are 5.0mm center to center, no need to change your freewheel.   If you have to change, I like this one: http://www.niagaracycle.com/categories/sunrace-7-speed-13-28-freewheel

You MIGHT be able to get away with not changing your derailleurs.  Some people have reported that older Suntour RDs work fine with 7 speed Shimano indexed shifters.

You will need a new chain; recommend KMC X8.93 and cables and housings.

[GeorgeET]

Thanks for info Nigel. I do not have problems with the downtube shifters. Just thought about updating to SIS for rear shifts. Do not like brifters.
This shifter is similar to my MB . The frame spacing is 126mm so I can go to 7 speed.

http://www.niagaracycle.com/categories/shimano-altus-sl-m310-rapid-fire-shifter-right-7-speed

Any thoughts about eliminating the rear cluster and just going single speed? I do not shift much and mostly use one gear. So getting rid of all those parts would result in a 22lb bike.

[nfmisso]

You can remove your current freewheel, and install a single speed freewheel.  You have choose one of your chain rings to use at the front, and it may need slight repositioning to get the chain line.  Niagara has SS freewheels, and Amazon has a good variety of shims - look for "round shims" in Industrial Supply, most like 12mm OD, 10mm ID.

You need to have semi-horizontal dropouts which I believe your frame has, vertical requires are tensioner (current derailleur).  

Also note, that there are index downtube shifters.

[GeorgeET]

Also note, that there are index downtube shifters.

Now that I was not aware off will look around. Thanks.

Hows this? Cables may be a hard to match unless current will work.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-600-EX-Shifters-6-Speed-Index-Classic-Road-Touring-Downtube-SL-6208-/171737241406

[nfmisso]

the Shimano 600 shifters use standard cables....

[GeorgeET]

(03-30-2015, 09:28 PM)nfmisso Wrote:  the Shimano 600 shifters use standard cables....

That's good info Nigel, downtube SIS on the right , rear is all I need.

Is this lever all I need? Asides from readjusting can I use my oem equipment.( Sun Tour Lepree derailleur with a 6 speed rear cluster that does say SIS on it) I'd buy a new shifter as wear is a concern . Will explore. PK you got a new one or a good one? RobAr?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/400894021094?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[nfmisso]

Hi George;

I don't know - there has to be a part to locate the indexing mech.  I am not familiar with down tube shifters, thus cannot tell if everything is there or not. 

Despite the review, I would purchase these:
http://www.amazon.com/SunRace-SLR30-Clamp--Shifters-28-6mm/dp/B00D5DQ44A/

The shifter cannot push the chain off the freewheel unless the limit screws are adjusted incorrectly.

[GeorgeET]

(03-31-2015, 11:40 AM)nfmisso Wrote:  Hi George;

I don't know - there has to be a part to locate the indexing mech.  I am not familiar with down tube shifters, thus cannot tell if everything is there or not. 

Despite the review, I would purchase these:
http://www.amazon.com/SunRace-SLR30-Clamp--Shifters-28-6mm/dp/B00D5DQ44A/

The shifter cannot push the chain off the freewheel unless the limit screws are adjusted incorrectly.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Looks like a good set. Mine use a through the frame bolt to hold them on. I do like new, as SIS shifters do wearout. Not too crazy about clamp on but maybe can clamp over hole of oem set.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Suntour-Blaze-Shifters-Shift-Levers-Downtube-6-Speed-Accushift-Power-Control/141621228399?_trksid=p2054897.c100204.m3164&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140407115239%26me​id%3Da4d88587d89e4360afd493a8e5315a4f%26pid%3D100204%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D29%26sd%3D​331088831034
I think you mean limit screws adjusted correctly.

http://www.bikerecyclery.com/nib-nos-suntour-cyclone-9000-accushift-downtube-shifter-right-rear-6-speed/

BTW how do you get the amazon links, when i go on my member site it does not show links.

[GeorgeET]

After some exploring I have decided on getting a vintage Shimano 105 6 speed downtube shifter that has a SIS and friction setting. For a few bucks I can experiment and if SIS does not work with my components I can always switch to reliable works everytime friction setting. Looking for shifter. To be continued.

[Painkiller]

I do not have anything laying around George, these may work for you and not to pricey.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Suntour-Edge-Shifters-6-Speed-Index-or-5-6-7-Speed-Friction-Compatible-/391098794697?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5b0f4e02c9

[GeorgeET]

(04-02-2015, 06:32 PM)painkiller Wrote:  I do not have anything laying around George, these may work for you and not to pricey.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Suntour-Edge-Shifters-6-Speed-Index-or-5-6-7-Speed-Friction-Compatible-/391098794697?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5b0f4e02c9

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Thanks for the info PK I have Suntour lepree derailleur, not sure what gear cluster I saw a SIS stamped on it, I think thats also Suntour.

I saw several choices on Suntour Accushift levers, but word on the street is that the Shimano 105 series rock. Do you concur?

[nfmisso]

Shimano 105 are among the best.

SIS is Shimano; one of their tradenames/marks.

[GeorgeET]

(04-02-2015, 07:58 PM)nfmisso Wrote:  Shimano 105 are among the best.

SIS is Shimano; one of their tradenames/marks.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Thanks Nigel and PK. The rear cluster says MF-HG22 SIS YZ 28T on the large sprocket so That was changed as oem was 30T. (IIRC the PO said something about changing the rear cluster.) Looks like it has SIS ramps. So the question is am I better off with SunTour 6peed Accushift shifter or hold out for Shimano 105, 600 is Ok too. To use with a SunTour LePree derailleur.

[Painkiller]

(04-02-2015, 08:23 PM)GeorgeET Wrote:  

(04-02-2015, 07:58 PM)nfmisso Wrote:  Shimano 105 are among the best.

SIS is Shimano; one of their tradenames/marks.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Thanks Nigel and PK. The rear cluster says MF-HG22 SIS YZ 28T on the large sprocket so That was changed as oem was 30T. (IIRC the PO said something about changing the rear cluster.) Looks like it has SIS ramps. So the question is am I better off with SunTour 6peed Accushift shifter or hold out for Shimano 105, 600 is Ok too. To use with a SunTour LePree derailleur.

I think that is a shimano cluster, I would go with the shimano shifter. Look for the 105 or 600 6 speed and your good to go.

[GeorgeET]

I think that is a shimano cluster, I would go with the shimano shifter. Look for the 105 or 600 6 speed and your good to go.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Thanks PK, that was my thinking even though the derailleur is SunTour. I think mixing will work. If not I can always switch to friction. That's the nice thing about the downtube shifters.

[GeorgeET]

(04-02-2015, 09:01 PM)GeorgeET Wrote:  I think that is a shimano cluster, I would go with the shimano shifter. Look for the 105 or 600 6 speed and your good to go.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Thanks PK, that was my thinking even though the derailleur is SunTour. I think mixing will work. If not I can always switch to friction. That's the nice thing about the downtube shifters.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Today..been looking at Shimano 600, 105, and Suntour shifters. The rear cluster is 6 speed Shimano HG, so I would prefer a shimano SIS shifter to replace the SunTour friction shifter. However looking at boses and current shifter it seems that with the square base I may need a shifter with a square adopter. That limits me to SunTour. Can the round Shimano shifter fit, what about stops??

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[Painkiller]

They look normal to me George, Shimano should fit. Not knowing the measurements of yours they look just like the stop bosses on my 2005 Trek 2100. I can measure mine and we can compare if you like