Hi. I'm having a go at building a bike and I'm wondering what these little black things are on the side of the frame. I'm guessing I attach some kind of guide for the rear shifter? If so, what am I looking for, and what do I do with the one on the opposite side if I'm not installing a front shifter? Thanks to anyone who can help.
by albatross1988
14 Comments
They’re for [downtube shifters ](https://www.performancebike.com/shimano-sora-slr400-downtube-shifters-silver-pair-2-3-x-8-speed-islr400f/p1357234?v=317209&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22033661672&gbraid=0AAAAAC1tmAs2gLhqGYsUKUPb3oiSDVbar&gclid=CjwKCAjwqKzEBhANEiwAeQaPVdeSq8llSb_–CP2cjLpTXOqRVg4uQbOtzKT3J6zSzAp0rgfFiEWMBoCs04QAvD_BwE)
Yup, that’s a shift mount. Bolt a downtube shifter right onto it or add a cable-guide for barcons, brifters, etc.
Downtube shifter bosses, or cable housing stops, depending on how you use them
Hey youngin. Thems brazed-on downtube shifter bosses. Circa 1983.
Old school knowledge test lol!
Problem solvers makes some clean looking caps for them if you’re using bar shifters.
You can attach a downtube shifter to that.
Or you can attach a cable stop with a barrel adjuster (this would be when you attach the shifter to the handlebar).
You can also buy a blank cover for it if you don’t need the spot for a shifter or cable stop.
It’s part rotary dial phone and part stick shift.
My first road bike (Centurion Turbo) had downtube friction shifters. You get really good at using them, your brain knew exactly where the lever needed to be for a particular gear. Trimming out the chatter was part of the riding experience. At the time, I never thought they’d advance bike shifting technology past this point.
Then.. *indexed* downtube shifters. Wow! It clicks?!
Then.. STI. You don’t have to take your hand off the brifters?! Black magic!
Then.. AXS (or Di2 for the Shimano boys). Oddly, I wasn’t as impressed with this leap.. it’s cool and all, but it wasn’t as transformative as past shifting breakthroughs.
What’s next? Automatics, I guess?
These are where the milk comes out.
US-Airforce special equipment: Sidewinder mounting points for air to air-combat
Thanks all. Cable stops are what I’m after. I figured it was something like that but didn’t know what I was searching for
Shifters I believe
If you suck them they give you nourishing milk.