Downtube shifters were the original shifter type for derailer bicycles, popular through the early 90s but have since been overtaken by bar-mounted shifters. However, despite the changes, are downtube shifters good?
Downtube shifters are good shift levers because they are easy to install and provide a minimalistic solution to bike gear shifting. They remain popular with cyclotourists due to their compatibility and simplicity. In addition, they are also compatible with a majority of derailleurs and cassettes.
Not everyone will feel comfortable using these shifters because you must take your hand entirely off the handlebar to change the gear. Therefore, it’s only suitable for riders confident enough to control their bikes with one hand.
What Are Downtube Shifters? (Explained For Beginners?)
Downtube shifters are bike shift levers that were famous through the early 90s. Moreover, they were the derailleur bikes’ original shifter type.
These shifters are placed on a bike’s downtube, and a cable from the rear and front derailleur runs along with the bicycle’s frame. Additionally, cable housing protects the inner line.
You will need to move one of your hands completely away from the handlebars to shift the gears of a bike with these shifters because of their location. This means steering with one hand while shifting gears, which can be problematic for beginners.
However, you will get the hang of it and be able to control your bike and shift gears concurrently in no time. The upside is these shifters embody minimalistic solutions for gear changing.
They were prevalently fitted to road racing bikes manufactured from the mid-60s to 80s. Their popularity declined when indexed shifters came out.
While some cyclists still prefer them because of their durability and simplicity, they have generally been replaced by shifters fused with the brake levers or those attached to the handlebars.
If you have a bike with bosses, choose braze-on shifters and clamp-on shifters if it doesn’t.
What Are The Strengths Of Downtube Shifters?
1. Easy To Install
Downtube shifters are extremely simple, making them straightforward to install and manage. You don’t need to be an expert to successfully fit them on a bike, with a DIY installation taking about 30 minutes.
2. Affordable
These shifters are low-priced and easily obtainable in the second-hand market compared to other types like bar-end shifters.
3. They Are Protected
The positioning of these shifters protects them from damages resulting from transporting the bike or in a crash. They facilitate a stress-free packing of the bicycle for transportation because they don’t widen its profile and are discrete.
4. Simplistic Housing And Cable Routing
Since these shifters are placed on the bike’s frame, there’s no need for housing and cables on the handlebars. Additionally, the cockpit stays clean and makes installation and removal of handlebar accessories and bar tape easier.
5. Offer Crisp Shifting
Due to their minimalistic cable length and cable housing, these shifters have little friction to overcome, making them exceptionally responsive.
What Are The Shortcomings Of Downtube Shifters?
1. Visible Shifting
Racing with a bicycle with a downtube shifter exposes your plans to other contestants because they can see when you shift gears.
2. Instability
Since you have to take away a hand from the handlebars when shifting gears with these shifters, it makes you vulnerable because it forces you to steer with one hand. It is also not possible to change gears while braking simultaneously.
3. They Require A Clamp Or Braze-On Bosses
You require a frame whose downtube has braze-on bosses or a separate clamp that has mounts. An excellent example of clamp-on downtube shifters is the SunRace SLR 80 8 Speed Clamp-On Shifters, which offer precise shifting, great value, and a classic look.
How Do Downtube Shifters Work?
Downtube shifters typically shift bike gears between high and low using cables. It also has levers on both sides of the bike frame’s down tube.
The front derailleur is shifted by the lever on the left, moving the chain to a tinnier sprocket located at the front. On the other hand, the right lever turns the rear derailleur, moving the chain to a bigger sprocket found at the back.
When you push the front or left lever backward, it will tighten the cable and move the chain to a larger front chainring. On the flip side, pushing the lever in the opposite direction lets you shift down.
Push the lever up if you want to shift down the rear derailleur to a more challenging gear, and pull the lever down to move up to an easier gear.
You’ll sense the gears shift while moving the lever. Therefore, you can adjust the lever’s position to line perfectly with the gears.
Newer, improved versions are easier to align because they are indexed, meaning there’s a click corresponding to each gear.
How To Install Downtube Shifter?
A downtube shifter is relatively quick to install. Here’s what you need to do to install them.
1. Mount The Downtube Shifters To The Bike Frame
Before mounting the new levers, remove the old shifters if they are still attached to the bike, then put the shifter on the bicycle’s downtube. Install the right and left levers simultaneously if you have both to make your work easier.
A shifter’s placement is wrong if it’s perpendicular to the downtube. Therefore, you must ensure that the shifters’ starting position is parallel to the downtube.
2. Put Up The Cable Housing
Use the old housing as a reference to find the precise length your bike requires.
3. Install the Gear Cable
Once the cable housing is in place, it’s the cable’s turn. However, before the actual installation, make sure the levers are closed.
Fix the cable starting from the shifters located on the downtube and moving towards the derailleur. Run it from the front to the rear, ensuring it goes between the downtube and front tube.
In addition, run it via the cable guard beneath the bottom bracket, then let it follow the chain stay’s right side through the cable housing.
4. Join The Cable To The Bike’s Derailleur
At this point, the cable should have gone past the cable housing. From there, you need to run it through the barrel adjuster and put the ferrule into place.
Tighten the cable, fasten it with the bolt of the derailleur cable, then trim its end, leaving behind about an inch of allowance.
What Are The Best Downtube Shifters?
These shifters come in indexed and friction options, with the former better for beginners riders but are more costly. The indexed options come in up to 9 speeds, such as the Shimano Sora SL-R400 Downtube 8spd Shifter Set with 8 speeds.
Shimano Sora downtube shifters are stylish, durable shifters suitable for steel-framed bikes. Alternatively, if you’d prefer 10 speed indexed downtube shifters, check out Shimano Dura-Ace SL-7900 Braze-On Shifters.
FAQs
1. Do They Still Make Downtube Shifters?
Despite the dip in popularity over the years and the take over of new systems, some manufacturers still produce downtube shifters. For instance, SRAM and Shimano continue to offer them.
2. Can You Replace Downtube Shifters?
You can replace the downtube shifters in your bike with a different type of shifters, but you must ensure the ones you choose are compatible with your bicycle. Moreover, you must be able to foot the cost since you’ll have to replace the entire system.
3. How Do You Use Downtube Shifters?
By pushing up the levers in the opposite direction, you will shift the gear down, and pressing the lever up, shifts the rear derailleur to a harder gear. On the other hand, pulling it down allows you to change to an easier gear.
4. What Does The Left Downtube Shifter Do?
The left downtube shifter shifts the front derailleur, moving the chain to the front tinniest sprocket.
5. Are Downtube Shifters Indexed?
Downtube shifters are available in the indexed form, with a maximum of 9 speeds. You can also find it in a friction-shifting option.
6. How Do You Use Indexed Downtube Shifters?
Indexed downtube shifters have click stops corresponding with each gear. This gives you a tactile guide of the distance you should move the shifter to move from one gear to another.
In Conclusion, Are Downtube Shifters Good?
Downtube shifters are excellent for cyclists looking for a minimalist, affordable gear-changing solution with crisp shifting. They are suitable for travel and individuals that can control their bikes effortlessly with one hand.
Tourists, adults, and even kids can use them.
