Downtube Friction shifters with ratchet mechanism for the drive side.

[GuyBoden]

I wondering what Downtube Friction shifters had a ratchet mechanism for the rear sprockets driveside.

I know that Suntour power shifters, Simplex retrofriction, microShift and Dia-Compe Silver have ratchet mechanism for the driveside.

Do you know of any others?

 

[Nob]

Campagnolo Synchro 8 or 9 speed

 

[vcballbat]

Shimano 7-8-9 speed shifters can be switched to either indexed or friction with a ratcheting mechanism.
Simplex Retrofriction have an internal spring to make shifting lighter and more positive. Many professional riders would switch to Simplex Retrofriction.. looks like Campagnolo decided to fight back with these ... very rare and beautiful..

https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.aspx?ID=A4FF8982-7323-470B-8857-38F1088E1666&Enum=104&AbsPos=1

 

[vcballbat]

Campagnolo C Record Retrofriction...

https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.aspx?ID=50F6F350-6DF4-4602-9B78-1D7EA4502EA9&Enum=104&AbsPos=0

 

[legrandefromage]

he's asking about 'ratchet' not indexing!

You've pretty much covered who does what as many brands were rebadged.

The current Dia-Compe are nice but expensive for what they are and they are quite fragile

Suntour made just about the best with their 'click click click click click click'

 

[vcballbat]

Simplex Retrofriction was mentioned by the Op and they don't index or ratchet, the Campagnolo I have shown are similar in action. I have used Suntour and they ratchet when pulling back on both left and right sides. I currently use Shimano 7 Speed switched to non indexed setting and there is a 'click click' both directions and it's only on the driveside as requested by the Op....l guess it all depends on what you're into really..a bit of 'click click' in one direction..or you could go both ways ...or just a bit of 'light action' only.....l don't mind a bit of indexing now and again..

 

[Jesper]

Technically the Campy Syncros, even though designed for indexing, were "retrofriction" if you used them in that manner.

 

[Ducky]

Technically the Campy Syncros, even though designed for indexing, were "retrofriction" if you used them in that manner.

No wishing to split hairs or be argumentative, but I don’t this statement is quite correct. Syncro 1 and 2 could be swapped between indexed and friction mode but the friction mode wasn’t ‘retrofriction’.

 

[vcballbat]

I mistakenly said that my Shimano 7 Speed switched to friction has a 'click click' drive side only...the left side has a permanent 'click click'. Never got my hands on the Campagnolo Synchros so can't say if they have a 'clickity click' in friction mode..?

 

[Peachy!]

Just out of interest, can someone explain the definition or difference for Ratchet & Retrofriction?

I’ve been happily bobbing along with both friction & indexed and really didn’t know there was anything else