tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post4665179800799112238..comments2024-03-18T08:41:35.438-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: 'Brifter' Bliss for Sweptback Handlebars Velouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-22608794220836364402016-09-06T19:44:30.557-04:002016-09-06T19:44:30.557-04:00OK, I am stumped. I totally "get" the up...OK, I am stumped. I totally "get" the upside down thumbies (though it seems to preclude having index shifting for the rear, unless one gets used to shifting the rear with the left hand) but how does mounting the brake levers upside down make any difference??? Chris Kostmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05056622357667732064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-70528335315905839352016-07-25T02:54:57.142-04:002016-07-25T02:54:57.142-04:00> I have tried the Shimano MTB trigger shifter ...> I have tried the Shimano MTB trigger shifter - this is far nicer!<br /><br />> The thumbie, when installed in the manner shown, feels considerably more ergo.<br /><br />> Hm... I use my thumb in both directions.<br /><br />It's not a dealbreaker for me, but I don't like using my thumb to pull the shifter back toward me. For that alone, SRAM or Shimano trigger shifters are better.meng_maohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06657484248733701456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-26304200614583834572016-06-15T00:15:41.236-04:002016-06-15T00:15:41.236-04:00Simon, have you documented your rapidfire alterati...Simon, have you documented your rapidfire alteration anywhere? It sounds like an interesting project. I also like that variety of shifter, but find them quite ugly.Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08879449860059829996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-31253947686973601152016-06-13T13:24:05.974-04:002016-06-13T13:24:05.974-04:00Underbar is more ergonomically comfortable, but it...Underbar is more ergonomically comfortable, but it benefits from an extra lever like this: http://velobase.com/CompImages/Shifter/96BFBBB7-176B-463A-A80C-CAF95DB49537.jpeg Search for Mavic Y-shifter and Suntour Wishbone shifters. Both were thumbshifter mechanisms meant for underbar mounting.R. Freemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10448479927647090002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-4934464672554654562016-06-13T10:19:40.677-04:002016-06-13T10:19:40.677-04:00I have the mechanism from an old shimano rapidfire...I have the mechanism from an old shimano rapidfire shifter that I have altered (removed all the casing, made a new clamp, stripped and re-shaped the levers and silver-soldered new finger and thumb pads on). it suits me quite well, but obviously this is the route for someone with far too much spare time. Simon.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04604488469108285983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-17029167800116754572016-06-12T20:14:53.420-04:002016-06-12T20:14:53.420-04:00Bar ends destroyed me (LOTS of bruises on my thigh...Bar ends destroyed me (LOTS of bruises on my thighs) when I had them on drops. I kept them on my swept back bars and I haven't had the same problem. This set up looks good and I'll consider it if I make a change. Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04386665955345868738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-11507172396810571692016-06-11T15:56:40.978-04:002016-06-11T15:56:40.978-04:00Hmm I am rebuilding a Raleigh Super Course for a f...Hmm I am rebuilding a Raleigh Super Course for a friend and in the process converting to upright bars and was thinking of going thumbies - might have to try this outRoadieRyanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15900109046198641775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-29159711783559563612016-06-10T21:49:59.022-04:002016-06-10T21:49:59.022-04:00DUDE! The Spider thing! I KNOW! What's up with...DUDE! The Spider thing! I KNOW! What's up with that? It's not a hundred percent but it's common enough that arachnophobes should approach any old bike with these levers with caution...<br /><br />Spindizzzzz. EAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-68043256276987257062016-06-10T13:18:31.638-04:002016-06-10T13:18:31.638-04:00I'm always late to the party at LB. I'll g...I'm always late to the party at LB. I'll give it a shot though. What are you not ready for, re: the Bosco bars? I have a stock Clementine, with the Bosco Bullmoose bars. Going with such a "cruiser" position took a leap of faith, but I felt that the bicycle was essentially built around these bars. It did in fact take some time, but now I can't imagine a more perfect bar for this bicycle. I suspect too many people bail too early on these. I recommend trying something for 100 days, assuming it is not causing you actual pain.Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01285886035638697215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-32733934315146482852016-06-10T12:45:45.320-04:002016-06-10T12:45:45.320-04:00The Paul Thumbies are elegant, and work well. How...The Paul Thumbies are elegant, and work well. However, after 10k miles or so, I started to develop tendonitis in my right thumb from shifting so much (lots of hills around here), so have installed trigger shifters on a couple bikes. I ride my other bikes (with bar end and brifters) more these days, to give the thumbs a rest.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01171821425773716843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-23485825176653773792016-06-10T11:21:30.143-04:002016-06-10T11:21:30.143-04:00I have the old school thumbies on my city bike, in...I have the old school thumbies on my city bike, installed the right way up. I push with my thumb to downshift, and pull back with my index finger to upshift. I wouldn't ever use my thumb for both directions, so I'm trying to see how you would use the thumb for both motions comfortably in this case.JPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15098889320808703090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-40904505239100333982016-06-10T05:05:31.179-04:002016-06-10T05:05:31.179-04:00Yes! Thanks.
{scroll down past the product descri...Yes! Thanks.<br /><br />{scroll down past the product description to watch video}Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-5159063082894289952016-06-10T03:50:06.571-04:002016-06-10T03:50:06.571-04:00Nice looking setup. The shifters remind me of the...Nice looking setup. The shifters remind me of these vintage Deore DX thumbshifters from, 'back in the day'! http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-Shimano-DEORE-thumb-shifters-3-7-speed-/162092734082Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14523194765070877553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-12742816749102001792016-06-09T21:45:44.253-04:002016-06-09T21:45:44.253-04:00Also, while we're on the topic of Weinmann and...Also, while we're on the topic of Weinmann and brifters and thumb shifters, I'm running all 3 on my '79 Ross Gran Tour beater/frankenbike. <br /><br />Image here: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4fRSFVtL-68/VeEscxyoqDI/AAAAAAAAIdQ/tjmBQtupgXw/s1600/DSC_1091.JPG<br /><br />Old school Weinmann (on one side, Dia compe on the other) with turkey levers removed. And then I have Sunrace mtb friction thumbies mounted close to each brake lever so they work as "brifters." They're not the perfect setup but they work great, and are the best I'm willing to pay for on this bike. <br /><br />Unrelated, but previous owner got rid of the tension clamps that Spindizzy mentioned, drilled holes straight through the handlebars, and ran long bolts through the bars and lever hinges. No adjustment on the levers now but I'm lucky the position works for me. Jay Tyanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16379343653425080261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-90021579253079706822016-06-09T21:14:53.118-04:002016-06-09T21:14:53.118-04:00this video explains it perfectly!
http://www.rivb...this video explains it perfectly!<br /><br />http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/shsrtsl.htmyoucancallmeAlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02578252140097961816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-1899544292908431422016-06-09T20:47:05.584-04:002016-06-09T20:47:05.584-04:00Just about the only thing I dislike about the old ...Just about the only thing I dislike about the old Weinmann drop bar levers is that spiders LOVE to live in them. My university peers seem to all have these old road bikes that they ride around, leave outside, then bring to me for repairs ... Spent one whole night catching spiders in my apartment after I had brought in 3 of my friends' bikes. I've learned to leave them on the porch for a couple days first and thump them around to let the spiders out. Jay Tyanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16379343653425080261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-12349618026717886712016-06-09T17:31:19.255-04:002016-06-09T17:31:19.255-04:00A cable run without a barrel adjuster somewhere is...A cable run without a barrel adjuster somewhere is just dumb, that's why I always try to have a couple of those in-line adjusters on hand just in case. In fact, stopping by to buy another one is my usual cover excuse for going into my friend Ben's shop and rooting around for good used tires in his trash... <br /><br />SpindizzyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-81236160572264788602016-06-09T17:08:12.756-04:002016-06-09T17:08:12.756-04:00Hmm, well, with the old thumb shifters I remember ...Hmm, well, with the old thumb shifters I remember (and this memory is a bit dim), on the right hand side, palm down, I would use my right thumb rotating naturally clockwise, i.e., towards my palm, to press the shifter. But to shift in the opposite direction, I don't remember it being very natural to use the thumb rotating out (counterclockwise). That's why I ask about the index finger clearance, because it seems like that would be the natural way to push the shifter back (down or counterclockwise for the right hand, palm down).<br /><br />This is also why the original Shimano RapidFire shifters had two thumb shifters (up/down), and when these were rightly much maligned because of their poor wear and mechanical design, they then went to two separate levers for up and down, thumb and index triggers, respectively.<br /><br />Then again, this memory might be due to my early mountain bike or mechanical inexperience at the time, it was a long time since I've used the thumb shifters you're describing (and perhaps should revisit them).Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17870817495811340488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-43874976676784977672016-06-09T16:33:04.133-04:002016-06-09T16:33:04.133-04:00Medium/ 52cm for me as well. Cool that you can try...Medium/ 52cm for me as well. Cool that you can try it with the Small side by side.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-72502570044568080002016-06-09T13:05:23.914-04:002016-06-09T13:05:23.914-04:00I am interested to see what you say about it! Curi...I am interested to see what you say about it! Curious to see if you thoughts mirror those I have about mine. just one question, what size did they send you? You typically ride the same size as me and mine is a medium, so hopefully that is what you got, A small would be OK, I have one of those too for my kids and I can ride it comfortably with the Handlebars and saddle up a bit and actually in some ways I prefer it. the 26" wheels on the small spool up a little faster and the frame is stiffer.<br />The shifters? I have'em on a couple bikes, they hint at greatness that never quite materializes, Not index, but not really friction either, sometimes you have to actually shift past the gear you want and click back to it, which is slightly annoying. And there's no barrel adjuster, which I miss. <br />I do like the mounting to the inside when the combination allows it.<br />-Mas Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-32227524625267755292016-06-09T10:39:54.535-04:002016-06-09T10:39:54.535-04:00Index finger? Hm... I use my thumb in both directi...Index finger? Hm... I use my thumb in both directions. But let me try it your way and I'll let you know. (The brake lever is on the other side of the bar though, so I can't see how there would be any interference.)Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-32081675073757429032016-06-09T10:37:05.030-04:002016-06-09T10:37:05.030-04:00Yup, they are Sunrace.
I liked the idea of bar-en...Yup, they are Sunrace.<br /><br />I liked the idea of bar-ends when I was setting up my first bikes. But their abusive ways (I was in constant bruises) soon drove me away. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-16810778431369582192016-06-09T10:32:58.028-04:002016-06-09T10:32:58.028-04:00Well, that would explain it. Spent all morning com...Well, that would explain it. Spent all morning combing the back alleys for Weinmann thumbies, and bubkes!Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-71788810810844949132016-06-09T10:23:35.916-04:002016-06-09T10:23:35.916-04:00I didn't think I was ready for the Bosco exper...I didn't think I was ready for the Bosco experience, but they do come as a standard option with a Clementine build. <br /><br />At the moment the problem is that I like this bike too much. Need to calm down before I can write anything objective about it. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-5203651184520293802016-06-09T10:20:25.295-04:002016-06-09T10:20:25.295-04:00I am showing one bit at a time - out of concern it...I am showing one bit at a time - out of concern its beauty, if glimpsed all at once, might overwhelm : )Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.com