Bar end shifters

[steveindenmark]

I am thinking of buying Jannie a Surly LHT as a surprise.

I have 2 questions. Her usually bike frame size is 54 cm, would the same size frame be OK for a LHT. This will be an online purchase as there are no dealers in Denmark.

She is a very competent cyclist but has never used bar end shifters. Is the transition easy enough?

 

[KneesUp]

I can't comment on size, but I find bar ends very easy to use, having previously used triggret shift and down tube shifters. May be different if you've only used 'brifters' before I suppose?

 

[Bodhbh]

I gave it a go for a few weeks and couldn't get on with them. I found after being used to the 'flick of a finger' shifting of either STI's or trigger shifters, reaching down to change gear was a real PITA. The thing I will conseed (sp?) is they do offer better control over the front mech. ofc like KneesUp says, it's personal and another person might find them fine - especially if you're used to downtube shifters (or don't bother swapping gears much).

 

[numbnuts]

I love my bar end shifters on my touring bike so easy to use

 

[MacB]

You can move them to the top if required via specific mounts:-

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/gear-shifters-rapidfire-trigger-dept372_pg1/

Putting them up top is also easier for cable runs

 

[Bodhbh]

You can move them to the top if required via specific mounts:-

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/gear-shifters-rapidfire-trigger-dept372_pg1/

Yep, I have ran them up top on flatbars via the 'thumbie' mounts. I could get along with em there. Not sure how well that would work on drops tho.

 

[MacB]

Yep, I have ran them up top on flatbars via the 'thumbie' mounts. I could get along with em there. Not sure how well that would work on drops tho.

I've used them up top and in the traditional barend position, I had no trouble with either but up top made more sense. I rode with hands on the flats far more than in the drops and found the move from hood to lever easier with the levers up top.

Only criticism I've read, apart from cost of the mounts, is that it can be a bit tight for space depending on how much you mount in that area.

Oh and I'd opt for these over triggers on a flat bar tourer, or certainly for the front ring, the ability to trim was delightful

 

[Gravity Aided]

I prefer downtube shifters on my tourer, for immediacy of shift as compared to the bar end, and easier reach for me. I find reaching the end of the drops to shift is an inconvenient position for me to use. I am also guessing that with time and practice this situation would disappear, but I still favor downtube shifters. Bar ends may be more convenient with a heavily loaded bicycle, but I've never had problems with that situation. If I did, I'd go with STI. In my opinion, if you ride on the hoods most of the time, STI would be the way to go. Bar ends were there before STI, and have been outpaced by this development, just my opinion, mind.

 

[KneesUp]

Bar ends are much sturdier than STI levers.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

I found mine to be a PITA a traffic lights or junctions. I kept hitting my knee on them when setting off and inadvertently changing gear. It was more of a PITA when commuting into Manchester due a lot of traffic lights.

Otherwise they were fine and straight forward to use.

 

[steveindenmark]

I have never had any problems with STI levers.

 

[MacB]

I have never had any problems with STI levers.

Nor have I and I quite liked them but I certainly preferred a barend friction style shifter for the front changes.

 

[Nigeyy]

What a nice surprize!

I think it's horses for courses. I spend most of my time on the tops or hoods and rarely go down to the drops, so it just didn't make sense nor comfort for me to have my shifters far away from my natural hand position. Add to the fact that now and again turning them they would hit my knees -just didn't like them. My personal preference is to have shifters at a place that is natural for my hand position and close to the brake levers (brifters are the best bet for this I've found, or a close second are Kelly TakeOffs with DT shifters if you can find them). I know the retro grouches love DT shifters, but they are as inconvenient as bar ends or stem shifters to me (tried them all!).

But to answer your question... I think you can get used to almost anything, and certainly many people seem to use them with no issues. It may depend on where Jannie's usual riding position or her personal preferences -but again, i think you can adapt as well.

 

[Nigeyy]

Same here. I've done tens of thousands of miles on STIs with no problems -they seem to be reliable enough for touring for me. I used to have them on my touring bike, but changed them to Kelly TakeOffs with DT shifters for fear of their unreliability -shouldn't have listened! (though I will say having a friction shift for the front derailleur is very nice to have).

I have never had any problems with STI levers.