Bar end shifters not 100%

[insurin]

I got a brand new Fuji Touring 2014 a few months back and from day 1 the gearing has never been spot on. I took it back after a few days as the wheel was out of true and some of the gears were slipping. I got it back, the wheel was sorted but 1 or 2 gears were still slipping. I took it back again and every time they think it is sorted, it is not. I ride it in the companies car park to test it and the gears slip still. In the end they changed the gear cable and it appeared to have resolved the issue. The lad on the counter informed me that bar end shifters, even the really expensive ones are always problematic. I went for my 6 week service and it is still the same. The problem I have is to get to the cycle store, it's about 35-40 mile round trip so it is costing petrol every time. I only have 2-3 gears slipping. The very high one (when in the big chainring at the front and the smaller 3 at the back).

My question is here: Are bar end shifters problematic or do I need to get it fixed at another bike shop.

 

[raleighnut]

I've got 9spd Dura-ace on one bike and Campagnolo Record 10s on another and don't have any problems with either, however when fitting them I did notice that if the bar tape covers where the cable exits the shifters then it kinks the cable quite badly I got round this by running the cable outside the tape for 40mm or so before it goes under the tape. Another way of stopping this kink would be to use plastic/gel padding under the cable then taping over that but I prefer thin Cloth bar tape on my handlebars with gel mitts or gloves.

 

[numbnuts]

The lad on the counter informed me that bar end shifters, even the really expensive ones are always problematic.

What a load of rubbish, I've done over 30,000 miles with mine and they never miss a beat

 

[wintergreen]

I have only ever had problems with bar end shifters once and that was caused by myself. I routed the cables underneath the bar tape all the way around the bars to the stem. It was too much of a bend and wouldn't shift properly.
Other than that I have used bar end shifters for many years and always found them to be reliable, never had any sort of problems with them. I don't know of anybody else who has ever had problems with them.

 

[KneesUp]

I presume this is Evans as they are exclusive stockists of Fuji in the UK?

They should work flawlessly - it's a new bike. Remind them you don't want excuses, you just want it to work as described. I'd also mention that you've brought it in x times at a cost of £y each time, and that if you have to do it again for the same issue you expect to be reimbursed for your time and petrol.

I like the look of the Fuji Touring, but I've never seen one in the steel. How are you finding it (gears aside)?

 

[insurin]

You are right, it is Evans but I won't be going back. I will just pay my LBS to try and fix it.

I absolutely love the bike. I even like the bar end shifters (new to these). It's very comfortable and the riding position is great. I had a load of threads on here about changing from drops to butterflies on a Specialized Tricross but I now realize that drops can be just as good.

Good to hear about the positive experiences regarding bar end shifters. I will get in it the shop and report back on the progress.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

The lad on the counter informed me that bar end shifters, even the really expensive ones are always problematic.

Yep. That would be why you never see them on tt or triathlon bikes, or on just about every touring bike in the USA. Always problematic.

If they are "always problematic" they are not fit-for-purpose and Evans have no business selling them or bikes equipped with them and are just setting themselves up for a Sale of Goods Act fail.

Mind you, a lad on the counter at Evans Gatwick told me you can't fit cross top levers on drop bars with Avid Road disc brakes. The brakes just won't work apparently. No one has told any of the bikes I have with Avid Road discs.

 

[Dave Davenport]

Bar end shifters have got to be the about the most reliable and easy to set up type you can get. As others have said, it sounds like a cable routing issue is the most likely cause of the problem.

 

[insurin]

Update:

The LBS said something about something being a little bit bent (sorry, that is useless). The gears are now all sorted and are not slipping at all. This is the first time since I got the bike that they have been perfect. He mentioned about replacing the gear cable but he said he never had to and he said the gears were pretty much perfect but not quite. He charged me £8 so a happy ending.

 

[KneesUp]

Good news.

I notice Evans don't sell the Fuji Touring any more, and as they are the sole UK agent I guess that means your bike could be described as 'rare' should you ever wish to list it on eBay

 

[insurin]

Oh yeah, just had a look. I wonder why that is.

 

[KneesUp]

It always seemed to be very low down the list if you sorted by popularity in the tourers section, but then that's hardly a surprise since as far as I could tell there was nowhere within a hour of my home in one of the UKs largest city where I could actually see one.

I've been told that tourers are the new fixies too. Perhaps the margin wasn't as good on the Fuji as other brands?

 

[wintergreen]

Good news.

I notice Evans don't sell the Fuji Touring any more, and as they are the sole UK agent I guess that means your bike could be described as 'rare' should you ever wish to list it on eBay

Are Evans the only Uk agent for Fuji? A LBS near me say they sell Fuji on their website? http://www.gerryshieldscycles.co.uk/products.html
I haven't been in there to see for myself but I get the impression they stock them.

 

[KneesUp]

Evans are listed on Fuji's website as being the only UK distributor, so perhaps your LBS buys them from Evans?

http://www.fujibikes.com/general/worldwide

 

[wintergreen]

Yes that could certainly be the case.

Edited to add:

Sorry for the thread derailment.
Im pleased you got the problem solved. You should get many trouble free miles from your bar end shifters.