Gear shifter

OSOH

Hi,

Apologies if this is a monumentally stupid question, but I have to ask!!

Basically I have picked up an old 5-speed ladies bike with a downtube shifter. I would like to get it into something resembling working order, but think the shifter type would be a pain. My question is, can the downtube shifter be taken off (it is attached with a metal band) and attached to the handlebars, obviously rotating when attaching it? Would this work? It would be easier to manage I think for the intended recipient of the bike, but I find it hard to believe it could be that simple (obviously new, longer cable would be required).

Failing that, I assume I could just use a longer cable with a normal 5-speed shifter attached to the handlebars? Guessing friction type, though not certain? This will be a bit of a project/learning curve, so any advice would be most helpful (other than "ditch the bike and buy something decent"!!)

Thanks for reading!

OSOH

Forgot to add, the handlebars are flat, hybrid/town bike type, rather than drop - thinking this should be easier?

centimani

Older 5 speed freewheels were never built to be used with accurate indexed systems, but some will work. The spacing on old freewheels was never important with friction shifters, so they could be a bit hit and miss with an indexed shifter.

That said, Ive done exactly what you propose with the wifes knockabout Raleigh.
Old maillard 5 speed block, downtube shifters which she didnt like, so i fitted a 5 speed revoshift changer, longer cable as you mentioned, it works fine.
There may be better options than revoshifters, they can be a bit stiff to operate. Remember you may need new grips as well if the old ones are swines to get off.

OSOH

Thanks for that. Was hoping I may be able to get one that clamps onto the handlebar, avoid having to remove the grips if at all possible. To be honest, given my limitations I may just see if I can get hold of a handlebar-mounted friction shifter anyway, , I don't mind them and probably easier than worrying about indexing and compatibility.

I'm guessing just moving the downtube shifter to the handlebar (with longer cable of course) would be a no-go...probably a stupid idea, just wondered.

keef66

No, the downtube shifter relies on it remaining a fixed distance from the rear mech. You transfer it to the handlebars and you'd be changing gear every time you turn a corner.

alfablue

keef66 wrote:

No, the downtube shifter relies on it remaining a fixed distance from the rear mech. You transfer it to the handlebars and you'd be changing gear every time you turn a corner.

would that be the case if some cable outer was used between the downtube shifter mount and the shifter?

keef66

That would work if there was a housing for the outer cable end at the shifter. In my, admittedly limited, experience with DT shifters they appear to have no such housing, being designed to work with just the inner cable.

OSOH

Great, thanks everyone for the informative answers Sounds like a proper shifter is the safest way to go then. As an additional ask (sorry!), anyone got any idea which of these 2 are likely to be better, or can you point me in the direction of cheap alternatives?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SHIMANO-SL-MY ... 416e31314c

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RIGHT-HAND-SU ... 337d7097b2

Thanks again, great help!

keef66

Either of those would do the job. The Shimano one comes complete with inner cable, so represents a better buy. Just check the diameter of the bars to make sure the clamp will fit.

You still need some cable outer: either a complete run from the shifter to the rear mech, or 2 shorter sections, one from the shifter to a cable stop on the downtube and one from a stop on the chainstay to the rear mech.

keef66

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... Stop_Clamp

clamp on cable stop; you'd need one of these or similar on the downtube for option 2.