The whole indexed derailleur thing isn't as perfect as people claim

I keep seeing people online saying indexed shifting is always better than friction shifting on vintage bikes. Last month I worked on a 1980s touring bike from a customer in Portland. The derailleur hanger was bent just a hair and no amount of tuning got those index shifts right. I switched it to friction mode and it ran smooth through all 10 gears in under 5 minutes. Has anyone else had better luck just running friction on older frames?

2 comments

2 Comments

bailey.sandra2d ago

Saw a mechanic at a local shop say indexed shifting is only as good as the frame it's mounted on. Friction just works with whatever you've got.

zarak181d ago

Isn't it always the simpler things that just work no matter what?