As I am getting things going there will be quite a few components passing through my hands and onto bikes. Some of these will be things I have used for years, some new, and some in the gray area in between. The ones that I find remarkable will get special mention here on the blog, and may even show up in the soon to emerge online shop.
The first up for review are the new Dia-Compe ENE shifters. These are mechanically identical to the Silver friction shifters that Rivendell helped to bring back to market a few years back. The difference is in the look and shape.
The Silver shifters have a more modern like the later Suntour down tube shifters. The ENE shifters shown here are styled after more traditional or older Campy style. They offer the same silky smooth ratchet mechanism that we have grown to love over the years. For those not familiar with friction shifting. Unlike indexed shifting that you "click" from gear to gear, friction allows you infinite freedom to shift across the range of gears. For the initiate thee may be a short learning curve, but once you have the control back you will not likely want to give it up. Friction shifting allows the rider to shift smoothly across a range of gears, mix and match drive train components to you heart's delight and trim a shift as needed without touching a barrel adjuster.
I prefer this shape to the silver model. The slightly wider and textured tail of the lever has a better feel. I also like the look, while not a complete retro-grouch, sometimes the classic styling just works.
The ENE shifter are available as a pair in both a down tube model and bar end configuration. Both will be offered here for sale in the coming week. Down Tube shifters will be $44, and Bar End $79.
Thanks for taking a look.
I have an affliction, when I get an idea in my head, and work the whole thing out, I need to make it real, or it will haunt me. Since I built up Rambler No. 1 the problem of a bell location has been haunting me. I even considered adding a brazeon during the initial design phases. Then this morning it hit me, and when I had 10 minutes to spare at lunch, I was at the bench cutting up a perfectly good Crane bell.
It fits near perfectly over the cable stop, everything works like it should and the way the hammer strike bells work there should be no Auto ring from bumps.
I have seen this done before with the spring strike bells to dress up a naked shift boss, but as far as I know I am the first to piggyback a hammer strike bell like this. If you have seen it out there let me know.
Now back to work, oh and Happy Friday - Play outside!
The Silver shifters have a more modern like the later Suntour down tube shifters. The ENE shifters shown here are styled after more traditional or older Campy style. They offer the same silky smooth ratchet mechanism that we have grown to love over the years. For those not familiar with friction shifting. Unlike indexed shifting that you "click" from gear to gear, friction allows you infinite freedom to shift across the range of gears. For the initiate thee may be a short learning curve, but once you have the control back you will not likely want to give it up. Friction shifting allows the rider to shift smoothly across a range of gears, mix and match drive train components to you heart's delight and trim a shift as needed without touching a barrel adjuster.
I prefer this shape to the silver model. The slightly wider and textured tail of the lever has a better feel. I also like the look, while not a complete retro-grouch, sometimes the classic styling just works.
The ENE shifter are available as a pair in both a down tube model and bar end configuration. Both will be offered here for sale in the coming week. Down Tube shifters will be $44, and Bar End $79.
Thanks for taking a look.
