These two new RBW-branded shifters have both a friction and index mode, and are made for us by Microshift specifically for the OM-1 rear derailer. Some customers have found that the OM-1 indexes fine with existing Shimano and Microshift shifters, but Microshift’s standards are higher still, and they monkeyed with the internal click-stops until the indexing was perfect by their higher standards. Solidly built, reasonably light, nicely finished, and comfortably similar to other thumbies and BES (bar-end shifters).
The friction mode lacks the light magical superfaint tick-tick of the power ratchet in the Silver shifters, but works perfectly, and is smoother than Shimano’s muffled crunchy friction mode. Even though it indexes perfectly, we still encourage you to try the friction, and flip the lever to index if the clicks make life better for you. These are great shifters. We’re thrilled to have them.
The left side shifter is friction only, but it ratchets. The right side is "pure friction", meaning no ratchet, but in return you get the index option. If you want both sides to ratchet, get our Silver shifters instead.
