Downtube shifters to ergo shifters? Possible?

hello,

Just wondering is it possible to change a bike with dowtube shifters to one with ergoshifters on the handlebars?? I know its not fixed but any help would be much appreciated! Also how much would it cost how would you do it etc??

cheers

paddy

Simply remove the bolt that attaches the shifters to the downtube and replace with downtube guides (£5-10). Simples

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Downtube-Cable-Stop-Adjusters-Resin-/350363956158?

have you turned into a meerkat or what?

I've just had it done to my Colnago... So yes...

I probably bear more resemblance to that 'Go Compare' cunt TBH

yeah youre more hamstery though thinking about it....
in a good way, of course.

Are your present downtube shifters indexed? If so, then how many speeds? You'll need to try and find Ergoshifters with the same number of speeds. Shimano's are indexed front and rear but Campag only indexed the rear, the front is just a rachet so it doesn't matter.

ahh ok sounds possible then! thanks for your help

yeah youre more hamstery though thinking about it....
in a good way, of course.

Edsquirrel on Vimeo

Serious question - what's wrong with downtube shifters?

Serious question - what's wrong with downtube shifters?

You have to take your hands of the levers to change. Modern cyclists are lazy.

Serious question - what's wrong with downtube shifters?

Nothing. I'd probably still be using them if my bike hadn't been stolen which forced me to buy a replacement which had Ergo shifters.
TBH Ergo/STi systems are so specific to each model/year that unless you are prepared to change the whole drivetrain, it's probably not worth it.

I dunno, maybe I hadn't used them long enough when I had downtube shifters and I had the technique wrong, but I found:
Shifting when climbing - Wank
You can't shift when sprinting out of the saddle - Wank

Therefore IMO - Waaank

They're fine for everyday riding but racing on them you get no oppurtunity to change your gear choice when sprinting. It puts you at a pretty big disadvantage not being able to jump and quickly run up the gears using STI whilst riding flat out.

I have a very old steel frame. The only probem I found with mine was that I went 9 speed on the rear and I have to pull the chainstays apart to get the rear wheel in and out - pain in the arse if I puncture but a great bike for the winter training sessions.

Nothing. I'd probably still be using them if my bike hadn't been stolen which forced me to buy a replacement which had Ergo shifters.
TBH Ergo/STi systems are so specific to each model/year that unless you are prepared to change the whole drivetrain, it's probably not worth it.

Sorry, but that's incorrect, at least for Campag. All 9/10 speed systems are compatible.

My Colnago has C-Record front/rear mechs and cranks, 8-speed Record cassette and 8-speed Record Ergos... Works like a dream...

paddy - if like me you have an 8 speed cassette, you can re-space it with 9 speed spacers and then use 9 speed ergo's - presume you are talking campag! very, very slightly out but it does work well enough
ribble had mirage with cables and d/t stops for about £80

What do you do if you only have the clamp on shifters, ie no Lugs?

In the days when Ergo shifters weren't common, Campag and Shimano made down tube cable guides which fitted the same lugs as down tube shifters. They are still made so you could remove the levers from the clamp and fit these guides.

http://www.campagnolo.com/repository/documenti/en/Spares10-B-010909.pdf
(on the bottom left of the very last page)

Yoav,
thanks for the advice. Best get some Ergo shifters then.
cheers

Are your present downtube shifters indexed? If so, then how many speeds? You'll need to try and find Ergoshifters with the same number of speeds. Shimano's are indexed front and rear but Campag only indexed the rear, the front is just a rachet so it doesn't matter.

So does this mean the other shifter doesn't matter at all? I have a 24 speed campy set up, so I would need an indexed 8 speed, but will all 8 speed sets work with either a double or triple on the front, as not indexed?

Cheers

Essentially yes, I have a 3 x 8 campag gears with Ergoshifters c.1997 on my road bike, and that's how it works. being ratcheted, the front shifter will work any front derailleur. the only difference is that a triple front mech has a wider cage.

If you can get a set of 8 speed Ergoshifters than that is easiest option. I believe you can stop down a 9 speed shifter to 8 speed. Also, I think that very recently, campag has started indexing their front shifter but that may only apply to the latest 10 and 11 speed range. You'll have to check with someone who has these modern gears.

Cheers yoav

If I go ahead and do it, I'll try and get some a similar age to the rest of the group. knowing it might work with a 9 is useful too as the 8 speeds don't seem that easy to find. thanks a lot.