Dia-Compe ENE Silver1 Downtube Shift Levers (pair)

Dia-Compe ENE Silver1 is a pair of classic friction-shifting downtube shifters for touring, randonneuring, and long-distance bikes. They mount to the frame's downtube bosses and are a great choice for anyone who appreciates simple mechanics, broad compatibility, and complete control over shifting.

We talk a lot about “being one with the bike” when riding fixed-gear hub, but there's a trick to getting the same mechanical control on a geared bike: friction shifters. Dia-Compe's Power Ratchet mechanism gives the lever a distinct resistance, and after a while, the gear positions become muscle memory. There are no fixed indexed clicks—you move the shifter yourself until the chain runs quietly and precisely.

Silver1 is designed by Rivendell Bicycle Works in the USA and is part of its Silver series of components for bicycles where function and durability come before racing. The left shifter works with 2- or 3-speed front derailleurs, and the right with 6–10-speed cassettes or freewheels alongside most mechanical rear derailleurs. Since shifting is friction-based, the shifter doesn't need to match a specific indexing system. If you want to break free from the compatibility charts of the big manufacturers, it's hard to make it any simpler than this.

Remember that the frame must have downtube shifter bosses. Brother Cycles Mr Wooden is an example of a frame built for this type of shifter.

Quick Specs

• Type: Frame shifters / downtube shifters
• Shifting: Friction
• Mechanism: Dia-Compe Power Ratchet
• Quantity: One pair, right and left
• Left: For 2- or 3-speed front derailleurs
• Right: For 6–10-speed cassettes or freewheels
• Rear derailleur: Works with most mechanical rear derailleurs
• Mounting: Requires downtube shifter bosses
• Weight: Approximately 64 g per pair
• Finish: Silver clear