Pauls Thumbies

Until recently I was using my Cross Check to commute to work, and I had it set up with flat bars in order to better navigate through all the idiots on the MUT (I just switched the Surly to drop bars, but more on that later). For shifters I was using the levers that came with some Shimano 8-speed barcons, combined with Pauls awesome Thumbies. These things totally rock. I like Rapidfire, can tolerate Grip Shift, but I think thumb shifters are still my favorite. Paul’s solution isn’t cheap, but it sure is cool. More pics after the jump.

Used for: 5 years
Price paid: don’t remember
Purchased at: Bikeman via eBay
Rating: 5 stars!

Pauls Thumbies

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Shimano Dura Ace Freewheel

The Dura Ace freewheel is one of my favorite bike parts of all time. They are basically indestructible. I have six or seven of these either on bikes or in boxes, plus a ton of extra cogs. I don’t weight much, so I was never one of those guys breaking axles on freewheel hubs. But before Dura Ace freewheels came along, I had to suffer with Suntour freewheels, and before that, Regina freewheels. The Dura Ace freewheels lasted longer and shifted better. The cogs were evenly spaced, shaped better, and were easier to swap out. The freewheel bodies never seemed to crap out. And the splined freewheel tool was a huge improvement over the old two-pronged design used by just about everyone else. More pics after the jump!

Used for: 25 years
Price paid: don’t remember
Purchased at: don’t remember
Rating: 5 stars!

Shimano Dura Ace freewheel with removal tool

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My Recent Bikeman Order

Aside from the 3T bars on my first decent road bike (a Bianchi Nuovo Racing which I purchased new in 1983 at age 15) I’ve only ridden Cinelli bars, and mostly the 66 model. Well, the 66 is long gone and so is most of the NOS supply. I was pretty leery to try any of the newer bars on the market, especially with the ergo bends, but I decided to suck it up and stop being such a retrogrouch. So I ordered some Ritchey Comp bars and a matching Comp stem. 31.8 seemed like overkill, but whatever. I did stay with the Cinelli tape. Oh, and of course Shimano brake levers. I love Shimano brake levers. Continue reading…

Bikeman Order

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Shimano XT Rear Derailleur

Found this in the bottom of a box the other day. One of my favorite derailleurs ever, it lived on my old Bontrager Race for a while, then on my Merckx. Then it got retired, but I’m not sure why. Short cage 7 speed FTW!

Used for: 10 years
Price paid: can’t remember
Purchased at: can’t remember
Rating: 5 stars!

Shimano XT 7-Speed Rear Derailleur