Expedition bike - all thumbs on 8 or 9

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
PH
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Location: Derby
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Re: Expedition bike - all thumbs on 8 or 9

Post by PH »

Thumbies, along with the 9spd indexed version I mentioned earlier, IRD also do a friction only thumbie that probably dosen't have any plastic parts to break.
http://store.biketouringnews.com/ird-th ... r-ratchet/

I've nothing against trigger shifters, even the cheap ones I've had have been reliable, but I like both the use and look of thumbies and the indexed front is a bonus.
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Sweep
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Re: Expedition bike - all thumbs on 8 or 9

Post by Sweep »

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/speeds.html

May be useful reference for anyone else wandering down the same thoughtways as me.
Sweep
dandru
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Re: Expedition bike - all thumbs on 8 or 9

Post by dandru »

The touring bike below uses an 8 speed drive with thumbies, interesting. I always use 9 speed gear and replace the chain when worn, usually about 3000 km or after each trip, which is normally about 2500 km.

http://tomsbiketrip.com/bikes/

http://i1.wp.com/tomsbiketrip.com/wp-co ... uide37.jpg
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Sweep
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Re: Expedition bike - all thumbs on 8 or 9

Post by Sweep »

It was that bike which originally got me thinking down those lines dandru.

Then posts on this thread made me concerned that thumbies might not be as uber reliable as i thought.

And at over £100 (the special mounts needed can cost £50!) It then didn't seem such a good idea.

And my cheap altus 21 speed changers have lasted 15 to 20 years.

So i have managed to get a pair of alivio 8 speed rapidshift shifters.

If i was uber-cautious i could always carry a pair of altus or acera shifters.

Or carry a pair of downtube shifter levers.

Since the bike will be 8 speed i won't be needing super slick shifting anyway.
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