Quote:
Originally Posted by
chuck68429 .
Thank you dabac and alfeng. You guys gave me a whole lot to think about. I currently have friction shifters on the stem. I know index shifters are much more efficient, but I never considered installing them on my bike. I'm using the ones that were on it when I got the bike. How much of a job is it to convert to index using my existing set up?(double chain rings in front, 6 cogs on rear) what about bar-end shifters? Easily done, or not worth the cost?
FWIW. Beyond finding the funds,
I think that the most difficult aspect for most people may be sourcing the Down Tube cable stops ... but, THAT isn't an issue since bike's with stem mounted shifters already have them in one-form-or-another.
In MY mind, if you can remove & replace the lid on a pickle jar, then you can make the component swap ...
- removing an old Freewheel can be a nuisance because ... you will need a specific "tool" for the Freewheel on your bike's rear wheel
- OR, it will be so tight on the hub that the easiest (in MY mind, at least), but barbaric, way to remove a frozen-on-the-hub Freewheel involves a 4.5" hand grinder + a pipe wrench I have used the fore mentioned method when the specific tool was NOT available (no longer sold!) & the Freewheel was damaged beyond repair
If you are in the Lower-48, then figure on the cost via eBay at around $200 (
not counting tools, cables/housing + new handlebar tape) ... LESS, if you are
a wise shopper.
Other than the Freewheel, the
replacement components can be subsequently moved to almost any other, (more) contemporary bike in the future, if desired, OR simply re-sold.
- <$30 for a 7-speed SunRace Freewheel (closer to $25, I think)
- <$30 for a 'new' Shimano ACERA-or-ALTUS rear derailleur a used XT 750 or a 105/5500-or-better rear derailleur in good condition would be a better choice for about the same OR just a little more amount of money
[*]~$150 +/- for a pair of 10-speed Campagnolo shifters
- a used 10-speed Chorus shifters in good condition probably goes for around $120 +/-
In theory, the SunRace Freewheel is the only cost which cannot be recouped ...
Excluding whatever you use to remove the current Freewheel, you will need either a
5mm Allen Wrench which has a 4" shaft (
to install the shifters) or a
T27 Torx driver (
for the current style of Campagnolo shifter), a 5mm Allen Wrench (you can, of course, use the same one which you might use for the shifters) to mount the derailleur, GOOD cable/wire cutters (
I used to silver solder the ends before I got wire cutters which didn't just crush the cable ... someone has suggested a drop of Super Glue on the end of the cable -- NOT when it is in the housing, of course!), a Flat file to clean up the ends of the cable housing, and a chain tool is a good thing to have,
If you have the tools & fore mentioned dexterity, then unwrapping & re-wrapping the handlebar tape will probably take the greatest amount of time.
N.B. If you opt for anything other than Campagnolo shifters, then the cost sky rockets because almost EVERYTHING will need to be changed ... AND THEN, the conversion borders on the impractical.
BTW. You MAY-or-may-not want to install a new chain ... allow about $25 for a new, 8-speed Shimano chain.
