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.
For some of us the friction shifter has never lost favor. There was a lean time for a while where you had to keep your old stuff alive, then Rivendell and Dia-Compe brought back the Suntour ratcheting shifter from the ashes. Silky smooth, easy to trim out, and pretty to boot. The only downside I have ever been able to find is the pionty'ish end when they are set up on bar ends. My solution has been to just use my older Suntour barcons. I have seen everything from electrical tape to kickstand end caps employed to blunt the ends. For the most part this can be a non issue, with the exception of trail use, knee caps and aesthetics.
I recently came across a NOS Suntour solution that while not perfect has been pretty far on the plus side of acceptable.
The fit is close to perfect. These were designed to fit the non-ratcheting suntour downtube and stem shifters of long ago. They have some stretch and give to help slide them on. The end is just a little big. I solved this by putting a little squirt of shoe goo in the cap before sliding it on. They stay on fine without the glue, but are just more squishy at the tip. These are easy on the hands and knees, squishy enough to prevent poking problems, and if my older shifters are an indication these should outlive the cockroaches.
I have a decent supply of these to offer for sale. $3 will get you a pair, plus $2 flat rate shipping and handling in the continental US. Overseas shipping will be at cost, contact me before you buy.
Pay pal works best for me, but if you want these and are paypal adverse feel free to contact me and we can work something out.
Thanks for taking a look!
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.
