I run 9sp Microshift jobs on my lovely Fuji.
Experiences are:
- They're ergonomically better than downtube shifters as you don't have to take your hands off the bars / reach down.
- They're ergonomically inferior to STIs as they require you to move away from the brakes / position of greatest control in order to shift.
- They're good for large, multi-sprocket shifts as you can carry this out in one swift motion rather than multiple indexed actions (although some STIs allow up to three sprockets at a time).
- They're slower and less precise in use given the lack of indexing, meaning each shift potentially needs trimming to get it right rather than being on the money as you'd expect from a properly setup indexed system.
Unsurprisingly I'd say the bar end shifters are best suited to technically unchallenging situations where fewer shifts are required - such as covering long distances at constant speed on reasonable quality roads.
They're not an ideal choice on rougher terrain since you have to move away from the position of most control (forward drops) to shift. Neither are they great in traffic, both for this reason and the fact you have to be on the rear of the drops which lowers your stature and visibility / ability to see what's around you.
In addition, my particular examples seem to have an issue with indexing whereby I can only get them to work properly on half the cassette before they jump a sprocket - as if the cable pull of the shifter is out of sync with the movement ratio of the derailleur. This is why I'm running them in friction mode. Be aware that typically rear shifters give you the option, fronts are usually friction only.
Personally I'd not worry about the availability of bits in future as Shimano stuff is pretty resilient if looked after, while 9sp cassettes can be picked up for not a lot (£20ish for HG400s) and depending on your crankset genuine or aftermarket rings are widely available so you can always stock up on wear parts if you're concerned.
I'd only entertain bar end shifters on a tourer / something that will be used on the open road. For gravel / off-road / urban cycling I'd be looking to stick with indexed shifting on STIs or trigger shifters if you're running flat bars.
Experiences are:
- They're ergonomically better than downtube shifters as you don't have to take your hands off the bars / reach down.
- They're ergonomically inferior to STIs as they require you to move away from the brakes / position of greatest control in order to shift.
- They're good for large, multi-sprocket shifts as you can carry this out in one swift motion rather than multiple indexed actions (although some STIs allow up to three sprockets at a time).
- They're slower and less precise in use given the lack of indexing, meaning each shift potentially needs trimming to get it right rather than being on the money as you'd expect from a properly setup indexed system.
Unsurprisingly I'd say the bar end shifters are best suited to technically unchallenging situations where fewer shifts are required - such as covering long distances at constant speed on reasonable quality roads.
They're not an ideal choice on rougher terrain since you have to move away from the position of most control (forward drops) to shift. Neither are they great in traffic, both for this reason and the fact you have to be on the rear of the drops which lowers your stature and visibility / ability to see what's around you.
In addition, my particular examples seem to have an issue with indexing whereby I can only get them to work properly on half the cassette before they jump a sprocket - as if the cable pull of the shifter is out of sync with the movement ratio of the derailleur. This is why I'm running them in friction mode. Be aware that typically rear shifters give you the option, fronts are usually friction only.
Personally I'd not worry about the availability of bits in future as Shimano stuff is pretty resilient if looked after, while 9sp cassettes can be picked up for not a lot (£20ish for HG400s) and depending on your crankset genuine or aftermarket rings are widely available so you can always stock up on wear parts if you're concerned.
I'd only entertain bar end shifters on a tourer / something that will be used on the open road. For gravel / off-road / urban cycling I'd be looking to stick with indexed shifting on STIs or trigger shifters if you're running flat bars.
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