Can you still buy ?

[darth vadar]

Does anyone know if you can buy a road bike with the gear levers on the stem rather than on the handlebars/brakes.

Or, am I looking at buying an older second hand bike?

Thanks

 

[g00se]

There are a few still out there. A number are 'cheaper' models where they can use older style components and avoid the cost of 'brifters' (integrated brake levers and gear shifters). Though they tend to be on the down tube rather than the stem (could be easily moved).

There are some 'retro' models which go this route too. Some tourers also go with friction shifters rather than brifters as they are more hardy; can be more easily 'bodge' fixed and can be made to work with mismatching replacement parts which can be handy on very long tours. Again, these tend to be bar-end rather than stem.

 

[jay clock]

yes. they tend to be really poor quality new bikes that are not even that cheap. Ebay does a range of poor quality bikes of this type. http://cgi.ebay.co.u...=item7dbb199d91 for example whch comes with a 42 tooth inner chain ring which is pretty big....

Unless there is a need for this type of gear change due to disability etc. I would steer well clear. Components are generally terrible. If there is a disability issue, it could also affect braking strength and a drop bar bike may be the wrong thing anyway. In which case, a decent flat barred road bike might be a better option.

In summary, why do you want/need this type of gear change?

 

[jay clock]

just spotted in that Raleigh ad on Ebay the conflicting word "lightweight" with "12kg" lower down. The 12kg is probably the smallest frame. A cheapish road bike should be well under 10kg....

 

[g00se]

yes. they tend to be really poor quality new bikes that are not even that cheap. Ebay does a range of poor quality bikes of this type. http://cgi.ebay.co.u...=item7dbb199d91 for example whch comes with a 42 tooth inner chain ring which is pretty big....

I saw that setup in a local shop. it's not old-fashoned friction-style shifters but cr4ppy Shimano SIS index shifters fixed to the top of the handlebars. Limited to to 7-speed rear cassette I think too.

 

[e-rider]

yes. they tend to be really poor quality new bikes that are not even that cheap. Ebay does a range of poor quality bikes of this type. http://cgi.ebay.co.u...=item7dbb199d91 for example whch comes with a 42 tooth inner chain ring which is pretty big....

Unless there is a need for this type of gear change due to disability etc. I would steer well clear. Components are generally terrible. If there is a disability issue, it could also affect braking strength and a drop bar bike may be the wrong thing anyway. In which case, a decent flat barred road bike might be a better option.

In summary, why do you want/need this type of gear change?

a 42 inner ring isn't a problem - however, you are correct in saying that the bike is total crap - the most worrying thing is that they have sold 110 of these already!

Going back to the OP, why would anyone want levers on the stem? It's a completely crap idea which is why only the worst bikes on the market use it.

 

[darth vadar]

yes. they tend to be really poor quality new bikes that are not even that cheap. Ebay does a range of poor quality bikes of this type. http://cgi.ebay.co.u...=item7dbb199d91 for example whch comes with a 42 tooth inner chain ring which is pretty big....

Unless there is a need for this type of gear change due to disability etc. I would steer well clear. Components are generally terrible. If there is a disability issue, it could also affect braking strength and a drop bar bike may be the wrong thing anyway. In which case, a decent flat barred road bike might be a better option.

In summary, why do you want/need this type of gear change?

Yes, it is a disability issue.

It is frustrating to know that you cannot buy a left handed version of the right hand shifter and vice versa, although I have come up with my own solution of turning the right hand shifter upside down so I can use it. Not ideal, but it will do for now.

Going to see my local limb hospital in the next two or three weeks to see if they can offer any solutions.

Currently have a Giant hybrid and have also bought myself a flat bar road bike - but the same solution applies as above.

Just thought I'd ask in case I ever decided to try and get a drop bar road bike.

I think I may have got the terminology wrong in the original message - should I have said "down tube" ?

Thanks for the replies.

 

[jay clock]

If it is a disability issue then I am sure British Cycling would be able to advise on how Paralympians cope. Alternatively I am sure a a shop like Spa Cycles or SJS can advise how to mount a set of downtube changers onto the stem. But don't buy a crap bike!

 

[g00se]

Yes, it is a disability issue.

It is frustrating to know that you cannot buy a left handed version of the right hand shifter and vice versa, although I have come up with my own solution of turning the right hand shifter upside down so I can use it. Not ideal, but it will do for now.

Going to see my local limb hospital in the next two or three weeks to see if they can offer any solutions.

Currently have a Giant hybrid and have also bought myself a flat bar road bike - but the same solution applies as above.

Just thought I'd ask in case I ever decided to try and get a drop bar road bike.

I think I may have got the terminology wrong in the original message - should I have said "down tube" ?

Thanks for the replies.

Hi again,

Downtube shifters:

Stem shifters:

Would it be rude to ask how the disability effects your ability to change gear? It's just I remember there were some posts a little while back about amputee cyclists and examples of brake/gearing setups. It may be useful - but I haven't been able to find the posts. maybe someone else can link to it?

 

[jack the lad]

Perhaps you could try something like a twistgrip shifter for one of the derailleurs and a lever shifter for the other, then you could mount them both on the same side of the bars relatively easily.

Downtube shifters work OK for me and I use the same hand to change both sides, but your hands are off the bars for a fair time which is worth considering if you have limited grip or control in the other arm or hand.

There was a period when manufacturers fitted shifters on the stem. They were called 'gut-rippers' - like a pair of daggers waiting to stab you in a crash. I also found on the bike I had with them that my knees would change up a gear for me if I had to get out of the saddle to get up a hill. They weren't the best innovation in cycling!

Other alternatives are a hub-geared bike - where you get a wide range of gears and only need one gear shifter, or a dual drive crank which has an internal gear that you change with your foot http://www.schlumpf.ch/hp/schlumpf/antriebe_engl.htm - they do road bike versions, but are pricy.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

You can still buy them brand new for 1" quill stems. It would however be worth thinking about how to install them so that they do not become a hazard in an accident.

 

[HelenD123]

Bikes made for markets where they ride on the right hand side of the road have the shifters the other way round so they must be available for purchase somewhere.

 

[darth vadar]

Bikes made for markets where they ride on the right hand side of the road have the shifters the other way round so they must be available for purchase somewhere.

Thats interesting to know.

Thanks for all your replies.

 

[swee'pea99]

Dare I ask if you have any particular resistance to the idea of an older bike. Choose carefully and you could get something seriously sweet for a comparative song.

 

[g00se]

Bikes made for markets where they ride on the right hand side of the road have the shifters the other way round so they must be available for purchase somewhere.

I'm not sure if that's right? I thought it was just that the brakes were wired into the levers the other way around (left lever operating the front brake)?