Convert from downtube shifting?

[alpinerabbit]

Is it possible? I just picked up some vintage steel and since I'm already squirrelly as hell on a road bike I was wondering if I could put um real shifters on it. Full well plan on upgrading the bike anyway, because I *heart* steel but I think this needs to be the first step because looking down, and letting go, is bad news for me!!!

Can't do anything about letting go - but you do not need to look.

[smurfalicious]

Cool, I think I found some old Shimanos on ebay that will do the trick. My niece's boyfriend works at a shop and will probably enjoy the retro challenge.

I actually spun it around the block tonight (the plan was once to see how it felt, I needed more than once) and yeah the down tube thing is a touch scary. I have a slight limb length discrepancy due to chiro issues in my lower back so being lopsided that's some tricky business. I can see it now, I'm shifting, I'm shifting, I'm in traffic with a semi-truck....