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Keep an eyes out for Suntour Retrofriction shifters, they offer amazing feedback which is very handy when riding on loose surface.
I find downtube shifter easier off road as having bar end shifter is a little tricky when the bar is moving.
edscoble-
I have a pair of Simplex Retrofriction shifters but didn’t use them as they need a gear cable with a very small cable-end that I didn’t have. So went with the Dia Compe ENE micro-ratchet shifters.
I may try the Simplex shifters in the future out of curiosity but I’m not sure I’ll want to give up the micro-ratchet. It feels and sounds lovely.
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I had Suntour Retrofiction levers fitted to my touring bike in 84-87.. Yes, they had a lovely feel.
I think I have a band on set in a box somewhere as well as some Suntour mechs of the same vintage.
snoops
Peter_Carter
I’ve never got on with flappy shifters and find them ridiculously expensive. I’m using new Dia Compe micro-ratchet downtube shifters in a 2x10 drivetrain with a vintage Suntour front derailleur and a handsome parts-bin 8-speed rear derailleur that’s lost its logo. The shifters feel great. I’ve used bar-end shifters but never truly accepted the amount of cable outer projecting from the front of the drops.
The cranks are Ritchey Logic Compact, which can be run as a triple with removable spacers that leave them as a clean double. They’re 94bcd and currently have 46/29.
The brakes are Juin Tech cable-actuated hydraulic calipers.
I’m very happy with it after its first 20 miles. Perfect mix of technologies for me.