friction shifting..... why did i not do this before?

Daremo - 2009-09-02 6:19 PM Probably not many unless they are running a 10-speed shifter with an 8 or 9 speed cassette.

Yeah, it is always a good "work-around" for a poorly tuned bike.

newbz - 2009-09-02 6:07 PM so this was sort of a revelation for me. i went out riding the other day, right after i got to notre dame, and had totally forgot to adjust my rear derailer after putting training wheels back on (diff cassette size). as we pulled out of town my chain started jumping like mad, and in a attempt to not get dropped, i quickly changed my right shifter into friction mode thinking it would at least get me through the ride. oh my god, why did i not do this before? (on a tri bike). shifting was like butter, absolutly NO NOISE from the chain/rear derailer. my shifting was pretty well dialed in before, but still made a bit of noise. now it smoother than it ever has been, and SILENT. just wondering, how many of you run the rear shifter in friction vs index mode on a tri bike?

nscrbug - 2009-09-02 7:59 PM ^^^  What she said!!!  What is friction shifting?  And how do you engage it?  How does it differ from normal (I guess that would be index) shifting?

KathyG - 2009-09-02 7:04 PM

On your right bar end shifter there is a little piece under the shifter that you can flip and it will change from index shifting which means it clicks when you shift so your hand feels the place to stop to change gears. With friction shifting it feels like when you shift your front derailuer with your left bar end shifter..no clicks you feel it until it is in the right spot. But with your rear derailuer you have 10 gears to shift through if you have a 10 speed bike.

KathyG - 2009-09-02 5:04 PM

On your right bar end shifter there is a little piece under the shifter that you can flip and it will change from index shifting which means it clicks when you shift so your hand feels the place to stop to change gears. With friction shifting it feels like when you shift your front derailuer with your left bar end shifter..no clicks you feel it until it is in the right spot. But with your rear derailuer you have 10 gears to shift through if you have a 10 speed bike.

nscrbug - 2009-09-02 5:14 PM

Ok, got it.   I assume this is a "tri bike only" thing?  I ride a roadie, so maybe that's why I'm clueless about it. 

RichMan - 2009-09-03 9:45 AM How old are these people asking what friction shifting is?  It hasn't been that long ago has it?  You use to have to take your hands off the bars to shift too.
 

gearboy - 2009-09-03 7:07 AM

These kids today don't know how good they have it - indexed shifting, integrated shifters, spoke counts under 30, road AND mountain bikes, helmets that can actually protect your head.  In my day, the only "indexed shifters" where on 3 speed bikes, with the banana seat.  And anytime you went downhill, you had to rely as much on prayer as on the brakes actually stopping you!

And we had to walk 10 miles uphill both ways in the snow to get to the LBS.

mrtopher1980 - 2009-09-03 7:52 AM I'm glad some people mentioned the 10 speed in shifters in friction mode on a 9 speed cassette. I had been wondering if this would work since 9spd bar end shifters are harder to find at a good price. I figured 10spd ones would be a better value to resell later if/when I get a real tri bike and probably take the aeros off the road bike. I figured it would work but was skeptical. I may have to try this.

Aikidoman - 2009-09-03 11:51 AM

Just make sure your derailer has the upper and lower limits set well so you don't throw the chain...