So when I got this bike. It’s supposed to have downtube shifters but whoever owned it prior, moved the shifters to the stem. This might be a dumb question, but are these downtube shifters on the stem and can they be moved back to the downtube? Or should I buy different ones?
by Ironlewy23
3 Comments
You can move them back. You’ll need to trim the cable. I might just leave them though.
Fix the saddle angle though.
As long as the bolt holding those mounts on matches the thread of the frame bosses and the levers fit on, then you should be good. Not all clamp on ones will necessarily match but I think they sometimes do. No harm in trying.
Disagree with the people saying to leave them in place. It looks better on the downtube and will allow you to lower the stem if you wanted to, or mount something else there, like a bell.
Downtube shifters don’t feel out of the way if you ride in the drops, might even be easier to access than on the stem. And IMHO the drops are the most comfortable place to ride on those old retro bars. Someone who rides the tops probably put the levers on the stem.
No, you cannot do this. This is a completely different style of shifter. The clamp itself is the incorrect diameter and your frame has “braze-on” style mounts (bosses). It might be technically possible to install them on the frame bosses, but they would lack a stop to keep them from over-rotating.
You will need compatible shifters, which are actually very cheap and easy to find for sale online or at a place like a bike co-op.