Simplex retro friction levers

GaryGkn
GaryGkn Posts: 1,199
edited April 2008 in Road general
I am using Simplex retro friction levers on a 6 speed bike they work very well will these work with a 9 or 10 speed set up?

And are these a copy Rivendell Silver Shifters Downtube kit?

http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/sh ... uct=17-101

Comments

  • meagain
    meagain Posts: 2,331
    Should do. Think I've used friction d/t shifters (not necessarily Simplex) on at least 8 speeders!
    d.j.
    "Cancel my subscription to the resurrection."
  • acorn_user
    acorn_user Posts: 1,137
    They are definitely not a copy of Rivendell. Simplex predated them by quite a bit. In fact Grant Peterson was still working for Bridgestone at the time. Retrofriction shifters are often thought of as the best friction shifters. The ones that Rivendell sell have a power ratchet thingy, a bit like Suntour bar end shifters used to have.

    p.s. I'd stick to 9 speed because the cassettes and chains wear better.
  • GaryGkn
    GaryGkn Posts: 1,199
    Thankfully now I m about to get a new old chain set I can go to 8 speed!
    I am not too keen on 9 or 10. I am quite happy with 6 on my main commuter.

    Still I am unsure how good those Riv bar shifters are?

    Are they superior to Simplex retro?
  • 4candles
    4candles Posts: 240
    GaryGkn wrote:
    Thankfully now I m about to get a new old chain set I can go to 8 speed!
    I am not too keen on 9 or 10. I am quite happy with 6 on my main commuter.

    Still I am unsure how good those Riv bar shifters are?

    Are they superior to Simplex retro?

    I've been lead to belive that Simplex Retrofriction were the best, even Laurent Fignon used them...
  • GaryGkn
    GaryGkn Posts: 1,199
    Well I would buy another set as they are smooth it was just curiosity that got the better of me when I read about the the ratchet silver shifters at Rivendell. I was pleas to see that they also do IRD 6 speed in useful sizes.
  • acorn_user
    acorn_user Posts: 1,137
    GaryGkn wrote:
    Thankfully now I m about to get a new old chain set I can go to 8 speed!

    Just to quickly note that you can run 8 speed on a "6 speed" chainset. The chainset doesn't really mind what speed you are running, it's the cassette and shifters that care. Btw, Retrofriction shifters were also sold as Gipiemme, and sometimes as other makes too.
  • GaryGkn
    GaryGkn Posts: 1,199
    Cheers Acorn_User that is good to know I do like them.

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