Why is there a distinction between friction and indexed derailleurs?

Asked by: Barry Catucci

What is the difference between index and friction shifting?

Friction shifting is shifting without indexing. In indexed shifting, there are notches in the shift lever that regulate the movement, and when everything is in harmony, a skill-less person shifts perfectly. Friction shifting is shifting without the notches.

What is an indexed derailleur?

Quote from video: And that effectively makes the cable tighter or looser. And therefore moves the derailleur a small amount so at the moment the gears are indexed.

Can you use friction shifters with any derailleur?

Any derailleur will work with a friction shifter.

What does friction mean on a bike?

Friction is a force that resists sliding motion between contacting surfaces. A bike, for example, has many instances of friction. The brake pads and the wheel rims have friction when we brake. There is friction between the handlebar and the hands that allows for a successful gripping.

Are friction shifters good?

Conclusion: – Using friction shifters will dramatically reduce the chance of shifter failure on a bike tour. It is simple and easy to change gears and also just as simple and easy to tune.

What is the friction gear for?

This type of gear consists of two of more wheels. These wheels are normally covered in leather or rubber. The covering in a flat faced gear allows the gear to produce more friction as the wheels come into contact with one another. Frictional engagement can also be increased by adjusting the wheels.

Are all derailleurs the same?

No, bike derailleurs are not universal. A derailleur that works with one bike may not work with another bike based on factors such as the cage length. Check the difference between the smallest and largest cogs and also the chainring size to determine the derailleur compatibility.

How do you index a front derailleur?

Quote from video: Front indexing in a nutshell there's two things to remember firstly. The limit screws. Just how far the derailleur can move either out or in but to actually control the movement of the derailleur.

What is mountain bike indexing?

Indexing keeps the rear derailleur aligned with the cassette cogs when shifting. Good indexing: The derailleur is aligned perfectly with each cog and your shifting is spot on. Bad indexing: The alignment between derailleur and cogs is off and your shifting suffers.

Do friction shifters click?

They only move your derailleur exactly as much as you push the shifter, not telling you when the derailleur is in the right spot. Since there are no pre-set “clicks” or set amount of distance for the derailleur to move, it also means friction shifters are compatible with any amount of gears.

How do you shift a friction shifter?

Quote from video: So basically that's the position how the friction shifting works you know what i will do for you guys let me show you uh how that works is i push it over the chair as i push the chain. Over.

What is Shimano Index System?

Every Shimano equipped multi-gear bicycle includes Shimano S.I.S – Shimano Indexed Shifting. It’s the technology behind that “click” you hear and feel everytime you shift through your gears. That “click” captures the light, precise, and consistent shifting bikes equipped with Shimano deliver.

Are bar end shifters indexed?

What are bar end shifters? These are gear shifters that sit at the end of your bars, whether that’s drop or straight bars. They have levers that you click one way to shift up and one way to shift down, so are also indexed.

What is a downtube shifter?

Downtube shifters are shift levers mounted on the downtube of the bicycle. Not everybody will feel comfortable taking their hand completely off the handlebar in order to shift but for those of us who don’t mind doing so, downtube shifters offer the most minimalistic of gear shifting solutions.

Are friction shifters universal?

Friction shifters have a higher learning curve and require more conscious effort. However, they’re almost universally compatible, extremely durable, and often cheap to replace.

What is indexed shifting?

Most of the shifters you have used in your life are probably what is called index-shifters: you push them until they click you into your next gear. They only move your derailleur exactly as much as you push the shifter, not telling you when the derailleur is in the right spot.

What is Shimano Index System?

Every Shimano equipped multi-gear bicycle includes Shimano S.I.S – Shimano Indexed Shifting. It’s the technology behind that “click” you hear and feel everytime you shift through your gears. That “click” captures the light, precise, and consistent shifting bikes equipped with Shimano deliver.

How do you use a Shimano friction shifter?

Quote from video: So what you're actually doing as as you move the shifter. You're pushing the chain. Over uh from the top to the bottom.

Are friction shifters universal?

Friction shifters have a higher learning curve and require more conscious effort. However, they’re almost universally compatible, extremely durable, and often cheap to replace.

What are the two types of shifters?

Drop-Bar Shifters

• Integrated levers are shifters and brake levers combined into one mechanism. …
• The other two types of shifters which are commonly found on bikes with drop-bars are “stem shifters” and “down-tube” shifters.

Are all derailleurs the same?

No, bike derailleurs are not universal. A derailleur that works with one bike may not work with another bike based on factors such as the cage length. Check the difference between the smallest and largest cogs and also the chainring size to determine the derailleur compatibility.