WTB: Shimano 9 Speed Down Tube Shifters

[sonatageek]

Looking for a set of functional 9 speed DT shifters. Cosmetics don't matter and I am trying to go as cheap as possible. Looking for a friend who is converting/upgrading a Schwinn Prelude that he got from me about a year ago. He is able to get everything else he needs at a good discount through our bike coop, but QBP no longer carries 9 speed DT shifters.

[rccardr]

PBK has new ones for $64.76 with free shipping to the USA.

[smead]

Looking for a set of functional 9 speed DT shifters. Cosmetics don't matter and I am trying to go as cheap as possible. Looking for a friend who is converting/upgrading a Schwinn Prelude that he got from me about a year ago. He is able to get everything else he needs at a good discount through our bike coop, but QBP no longer carries 9 speed DT shifters.

I have NIB never opened Dura-Ace SL-7700 (DT) downtube shifters - $75 shipped ..

[phcollard]

PBK has new ones for $64.76 with free shipping to the USA.

Out of stock.

[ultraman6970]

If you are man enough you should be able to get any old shimano shifter or any other brands like fro example the ones at velo orange that work in FRICTION mode. :p

Somebody was selling a 600 model, u can use that one in friction.

[shiftyfixedgear]

Instead of spending @$75 clams on downtube shifters, maybe the Prelude owner would be better off going with some used 105 or Ultegra STI
levers ?

Until recently I worked in bike shops for years. I rarely ever encountered a novice rider that preferred, or could deal with the issues that downtube shifters present. Older experienced riders don't think twice about it, and even think that somehow those shifters are "pure" or whatever. But novices are IME not interested in that BS - especially if they are riding in urban traffic.

[Louis]

I rarely ever encountered a novice rider that preferred, or could deal with the issues that downtube shifters present.

You make it sound as if it's rocket science.

[sonatageek]

He wants to go classic DT on this particular bike. He is no novice rider. Actually he is the one paid mechanic at out local bicycle coop.

He has been using it for the past 7-8 months as a fixed gear and decided to build it back up with gears. He was talking about building it back as a 7 speed set up, I asked why not go 9 speed, which is when he told me he can get all the 9 speed parts, save for DT shifters, from QBP at dealer cost.

[ultraman6970]

+1 on this one, its just nuts, downtube shifters are super simple to use, besides in the middle of the traffic who has time for playing to be a 30 gears 18 wheeler truck? well.... yes novice does! :P


You make it sound as if it's rocket science.

[miguel]

sellwood cycles in portland has DA 9sp ones that are OEM take offs, $50.

i have the front DT shifter and a flatbar xtr rear on my bike.

schwinn prelude is an awesome bike. i had an 88 tempo once. loved it. now i have a 87 pmount. love it. i just offered it for a trade, told the wife and she said no.

[dgoodwin]

Another option is to go the Shimergo route. You can use Campy 10 spd Ergo shifters with the rest of the drivetrain being Shimano 9 spd. I have it on my Pride Ti bike and it works well. I got the Veloce 10 spd ergo levers for slightly over $100 at Ribble Cycles in the UK. The lower end Campy lever work great, and are lighter and cheaper than the Shimano STI counterparts.

Shimergo technical info: http://www.cxmagazine.com/shimano-campagnolo-ergopower-compatibility

Just a thought...

[DogpawSlim]

If your friend is not afraid of friction, I have a bag of friction shifters and parts you can have for the cost of shipping. There should be at least enough for one bike in there. PM me if you're into that.

[oldpotatoe]

He wants to go classic DT on this particular bike. He is no novice rider. Actually he is the one paid mechanic at out local bicycle coop.

He has been using it for the past 7-8 months as a fixed gear and decided to build it back up with gears. He was talking about building it back as a 7 speed set up, I asked why not go 9 speed, which is when he told me he can get all the 9 speed parts, save for DT shifters, from QBP at dealer cost.

I'll play, does he work in a bike shop? Stuff from QBP?

BTW- I can get NOS DA 9s DT shifters..for about $90, NOS.

[dancinkozmo]

...why not just get some silver shifters from velo orange for 42 bucks and call it a day ? :beer:

[JLP]

...why not just get some silver shifters from velo orange for 42 bucks and call it a day ? :beer:

Yeah, I tried that route. One of mine didn't sit right on the shifter boss. Tried it on another bike. It didn't fit there either. When I took it off a spring flew out, and velo orange wouldn't refund the shifters because they were missing the spring.

[dancinkozmo]

...that sucks ! im really sorry to hear that, i thought these shifters were pretty good :confused: .....theyre 42 bucks at rivendell as well, maybe they have a better return policy than VO...

[sonatageek]

Thanks everyone for the assistance. I got a PM from Keevon who clued me into and I am directing my friend to look at the Sunrace 9 speed DT shifters which are available from QBP. If he decides against those (they are under $30) it looks like friction (for super cheap) or STI will be the way to go.