Upgrade Downtube Shifters to Modern Gears

[craigmillington]

Hi all, first post!

I need some advice, I have an 80s Raleigh road bike with the down tube shifters on, but I want to upgrade it to lever shifters. I like the vintage frame look but just want to upgrade to a modern drive train system.

Has anyone done this before or does anyone have any advice on a way of going about this?

Many thanks,
Craig

 

[raleighnut]

Hi all, first post!

I need some advice, I have an 80s Raleigh road bike with the down tube shifters on, but I want to upgrade it to lever shifters. I like the vintage frame look but just want to upgrade to a modern drive train system.

Has anyone done this before or does anyone have any advice on a way of going about this?

Many thanks,
Craig

You can get cable stops that screw onto the DT bosses

 

[si_c]

Hi all, first post!

I need some advice, I have an 80s Raleigh road bike with the down tube shifters on, but I want to upgrade it to lever shifters. I like the vintage frame look but just want to upgrade to a modern drive train system.

Has anyone done this before or does anyone have any advice on a way of going about this?

Many thanks,
Craig

It really depends on the spacing you have in the rear triangle - if you're currently running 5 or 6 speed blocks at the rear then you'll likely have 126mm spacing between the dropouts, this is too narrow to support a larger 9/10 speed cassette as the spacing on more modern rim brake bikes is 130mm.

You can get a bike shop to spread the rear triangle a little to give you the space though - it can be done at home but I wouldn't recommend it as you need to get the dropouts parallel and it's easier and quicker with the proper tools.

Once you've done that you can replace the downtube shifters with some cable stops and then fit any groupset you choose.

 

[craigmillington]

I'm not to fussed with going up to a 9/10 speed cassette, in fact I'd be happy continuing with the 6 speed on the back.

I just want to upgrade it to STI shifters.

Does the derailer need changing?

 

[TheDoctor]

I'm not aware of any STI shifters that work with 6 speed.
I think as a minimum you'd need the STIs themselves, compatible front and rear mechs, and a rear wheel that takes a cassette instead of a freewheel block. And you'd need to spread the rear triangle.
I applaud the sentiment, but I think it's far too expensive to be worth doing.

 

[MichaelW2]

You may need a new chainset, bottom bracket, cassette, front and rear derailleurs, rear wheel and frame, and posdibly, seatpost, stem and bars.
The original front wheel, saddle and pedals should be compatible.

 

[raleighnut]

I'm not aware of any STI shifters that work with 6 speed.
I think as a minimum you'd need the STIs themselves, compatible front and rear mechs, and a rear wheel that takes a cassette instead of a freewheel block. And you'd need to spread the rear triangle.
I applaud the sentiment, but I think it's far too expensive to be worth doing.

A 126m rear triangle will take a modern 130mm rear wheel easily, I've done it to several of my bikes. You can just 'spring' it in and after a year or two the triangle sort of gets used to the wheel and they drop in and out easily. (please note this is with a forgiving steel frame, I wouldn't try it with an Aluminium frame)

 

[Jameshow]

Shifters will be the biggest expenditure prob around £50 for 9spd tiagra.
Then you need a rear wheel that takes a cassette and then a cassette and chain. Front and rear mech should be ok.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Would bar end shifters work for you as a half way house? You’re looking at a lot of expense as well as resetting the rear frame drop out spacing, new rear wheel Etc.

 

[Punkawallah]

You can screw cable stops on the downtube shifter mounts - the fitting for side pull brake lever stops has the same screw thread.

 

[cyberknight]

I would be tempted by the sensah sti units that come in 7 to 12 speed versions dependant on what your after .

 

[davester65]

Hi Craig,
Welcome to CC, enjoy being here, but be warned, it's very addictive :-)
If your Raleigh frame has brazed on lever lugs these are the parts you are looking for, downtube gear adapter/convertors.
Once upon a long ago I used to refurb old 80's Steel as a hobby.
The Dawes in the pic is fitted with Campag 9 Speed Brifters & an 8 Speed Shimano Cassette, takes a bit of indexing, but perfectly do-able, there is loads of info on t'internet just search 'Shimergo' It was a big thing with the Cycle Touring Community about 10-20 years ago which enabled them to add handlebar bags to their drop bar touring bikes.
Pics are a before & after on a Dawes Imperial refurb I did back then showing an old school Shimano 8 speed drivetrain with Campag 9 speed brifters & a close up of the downtube gear adapters.
I've just googled the name of the parts, they're called 'downtube cable stops' plenty available on eBay.

 

[Gunk]

I’ve done this to a number of bikes and some really good advice above. I’ve just converted a 1979 Carlton to more modern 9 speed running gear including STI Brifters

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/worksop-carlton-531-build.299097/

 

[Dogtrousers]

The problems that I've found with "springing" (ie forcing) a modern wider hub into an old steel frame - or "cold setting" (ie bending) the frame so you can fit the wheel in are:

1) Springing a wheel in is OK if you're at home but wrestling with the frame trying to force the wheel in at the roadside is a challenge. Especially if there are people standing around waiting for you.

2) You may not be able to access the smallest sprocket. I have an 8sp 11-32 cassette in a 1980s Dawes frame and there just isn't clearance to get the chain onto the little 11T sprocket. I don't know if that's a problem with my setup or a more general problem.

Personally I wouldn't bother. That's speaking as someone who has put significant time & effort (and money) into bodging an 80s era bike to use modern wheels and lower gears. My view is that it's not really worth the effort. I wouldn't do it a second time. If you're thinking you might save money doing this - you probably won't.

But then, I am by nature a bodger and not very good at these things so I defer to @Gunk who has a lovely example of it done nicely above.

 

[Gillstay]

I found just going up to a 7 speed cassette on the cogs and three on the front worked well as I got a cheap and very nice range of gears.
Had flat bars and changers to suit. It was a 1970's BSA tour de France and was a nice comfortable bike.