Upgrading shifting

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by baileycp
Does anyone know anything about upgrading from downtube shifting levers to brake handle shifting? I have an older bike that I am upgrading. It has downtube shifting and was wondering if it is possible to upgrade or if it is cost prohibitive. Any suggestions or comments from those who have done this or researched this would be helpfull.

Thanks
Pat😕

It all depends on what you are starting with and even the rear chainstay material. If you have something like shimano 6 or or 7 speed downtube indexing and everythng works,it is as simple as buying new 7 speed sora shifters or finding old shimano 7 speed RSX shifters. There are other combinations of 'stuff' that could require tossing everything but the frame and fork, and respacing the rear triangle. In most cases it is not worth it unless you really know what you are doing and/or have pretty decent frame to start with. Bottom line,anything is possible.Lots of knowledge and money are often required.

I agree that you better have the knowledge (or know someone who does) before you do this.

My bike is currently stalled in the transition between downtube shifters and campy ergo shifting. I encountered a whole lot of problems and still have no idea how it is going to turn out.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by baileycp
Does anyone know anything about upgrading from downtube shifting levers to brake handle shifting? I have an older bike that I am upgrading. It has downtube shifting and was wondering if it is possible to upgrade or if it is cost prohibitive. Any suggestions or comments from those who have done this or researched this would be helpfull.

Thanks
Pat😕

boudreaux gave you most of the possible answers. Another issue is how your current downtube shifters are mounted. If you have more mordern braze-on shifter bosses, then the STI cable bosses can be directly substituted. Those fittings are normally included in the STI package, but make sure before you start.

I think boudreaux was referring to aluminum and carbon fiber stays as not being able to be safely spread, if you were also going from 7 speed 126 mm Over Locknut Dimension (OLD) to the current road standard 130 mm for 8, 9, and 10 speed. You can easily and safely do this with steel stays, but not aluminum or carbon fiber.
Before starting the process it is wise to know where you are starting and where you want to end. You will then be able to determine the process and costs involved.
I have revised a carbon fiber 7 speed bicycle to 7 speed STI. It was easy enough, but it is still a 126 mm OLD 7 speed bicycle. I thought about making it an 8 speed by using 8 of 9 cogs from a 9 speed cassette and use a 9 speed STI shifter, but the cost and effort just didn't seem worth it for one more speed. As long as 7 speed cassettes are available in the range I want I will keep it just as it is. I revised my brother's 7 speed aluminum bicycle to bar end shifters for a lot less money. He likes having shifting at least on the bars, but didn't want to pay the premium STI seems to extract from your wallet.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by daveornee


I think boudreaux was referring to aluminum and carbon fiber stays as not being able to be safely spread, if you were also going from 7 speed 126 mm Over Locknut Dimension (OLD) to the current road standard 130 mm for 8, 9, and 10 speed. You can easily and safely do this with steel stays, but not aluminum or carbon fiber.

120 dropout spacing is also a possibility. I redid one from that starting point with no downtube bosses. The frame was worth the effort and I had all the parts.