Howdy.
I've read some of the old threads here and have already received some advice from the very helpful
Mr. Sheldon Brown. I would just like to confirm an issue regarding an upgrade of an old bike from
friction to index shifting.
I do not want to upgrade this bike to STI/Ergo shifting, and least not for the moment. Index
shifting on the downtube is fine for now.
Setup: (late 80's, early 90's) old Merckx frame with full Mavic group. (I mean full down to
everything but the pedals and seat post, maybe a few other bits.) 6 speed freewheel with Shimano 600
freewheel on there now. I have been told that simply putting on some old Shimano indexed shifters
(likely Dura-Ace) will get me in the ballpark, with maybe an upgrade to a 7 speed freewheel. I have
also been told that it will not work without also putting a 7 speed Dura-Ace rear derailleur.
What say ye? Just shifters and maybe freewheel, or both + derailleur?
Other suggestions besides Shimano parts will be considered. The objective is simply 6 or 7 speed
index shifting with the least amount of trouble and $$ possible.
Thank you,
A once-was dedicated rider getting back into it.