[Closed] Bar-End Shifters?

Yes, i do. I have TRP Hydraulic Levers with a single sram bar end shifter on the right (10spd).

I really like it as it gives a very positive and satisfying shift.

I have a Dawes Galaxy with bar end shifters and a Surly Straggler with one 10 speed bar end shifter, I like them because they are cheaper and simple. If you are riding on the drops you can sort of shift down with your palm as well so barely need to take your hand off the bars.

I would say they are perfect for a mongrel bike! I might even have a 9 speed one floating around the bike bits box, I'll take a look later.

I had one paired with an Alfine hub. No issues with it. Takes a bit to get used to the change in routine but fine after a couple of rides.
Watch out for those knee shifts when climbing out of the saddle!

I use 2 x 9 on my gravel bike. I really like them as well, they work very positively as Blackflag says.
I also like having a friction front shifter, as it is nice to be able to trim the front mech.
I run them in conjunction with bb7s, I like the fact that I'm not tied into expensive sti's

The main issue is that when toiling up a hill, your mate who is a bastard can ride past and slap your shifter from lowest to highest gear.

Seriously though, used them for years on my road/off-road tourer and they just work and keep working. Now have them on Alfine commuter and similarly happy with them.

cheap (compared to brifters) and very robust and reliable, Good smooth shifting too, with the elimination of the cable twists around the bars.

You have to learn to plan ahead. Can be like a toe dip in single speeding, cause if youre struggling on a hill, its easier to just gurn it out than move your hands to shift

I really like them, though it helps if they're on a bike that you ride mostly in the drops. Not such a good swap for STIs on drop bar bikes that are designed around the hoods being the main position but still workable. And imo more suitable to a bike with gappier gearing ratios. If you're fidgeting between close ratios more often maybe not so great.

your mate who is a bastard can ride past and slap your shifter from lowest to highest gear.

: )

Bikesandboats - thanks for looking. If compatible with 9 speed Shimano mtb rear mech, I would definitely be interested in buying.

All - thanks for your feedback, much appreciated.

Watch out for those knee shifts when climbing out of the saddle!

This. You ideally find that you adjust your awareness after the first dent in the old cap

I’ve used 2x10 Microshift bar end shifters and found they had a nice, quiet-clicky, reassuring oldskool reliability about them. Since sold the bike but would choose again.

I've used a couple of sets of Microshifts - a really good 'click' action on the rear when using the indexed mode. They seem durable and reliable. I do sometimes absent-mindedly knock them with my knee when stopped on the gravel bike but it's not a big deal.

Been using a Dura ace 9 speed for 10 years across 2 bikes. Lovely action, light but positive. using an old XT mech. I've got a SRAM 10 speed one on another bike which has a heavier action, but that's probably due to the clutch mech.

We use them on the tandems and on my tourers. All 9 speed, all ace. Front shifting is friction on a triple which is a perfect solution (sod off 9 speed indexed front shifting) and the 11-34 cassettes/long cage 9 speed MTB mechs are really reliable and crisply change like very crisp things.

In 25 years of use, I've had one fail. The black (sometimes grey) plastic ring split and the shifters guts made a bid for freedom. That one had about 40k miles on it. I've got a few pairs tucked away along with XT cassettes and decent dérailleurs to ensure future proofing...

I have used them for a few years now. I initially got them to use with a cable disc setup until I could afford full hydraulic onesbut have kept them on as I like them. I even managed to get some cheap SRAM rival hydraulics which I ended up sending back to Wiggle. They are simple and the shifting experience is very positive especially if you just use a loop of outer rather than routing it under the handlebar tape.

It does depend on what brakes you are running though as I think the only option for hydrauic disc brakes that don't have a shifter in them are the TRP Hylex.

have them on my Vagabond and can't fault them, though I have knocked them a few times with my knee..

Knocking is a bar width thing I think, no problems here with wide gravel bars at all.

Super easy to use they work great for me and allow emergency dumping of gears just like that.

Currently running TRP shifters and Dura-Ace barons with an Ultegra RX rear mech and 11-42 cassette with a 36t chainring and it all works impeccably...

Having the lever flicked by "a friend" as you struggle up a climb is a known issue though!

Yes, i do. I have TRP Hydraulic Levers with a single sram bar end shifter on the right (10spd).

I really like it as it gives a very positive and satisfying shift.

Same here, though mine's 11sp. TRP Hylex brakes and Sram s500 bar end shifter, Apex-1x RD and Sunrace 11-42 cassette. Has been pretty faultless and intuitive to use. I like them.

 

From 30 years ago, it's better than DT shifters (marginally, if you don't ride on the drops), nowhere near as good as STI.

Got them on my touring bike*, really like them. Meant I could run a mtb triple and not have the hassle of trying to make an sti / road mech work with it. Paired with TRP Hylex brakes means I have good stopping too 🙂

*currently converted to an e-commuter as there is no touring happening

Knocking is a bar width thing I think,

Possibly, although a knee has some width/margin of error. As per iainc my knee-knocking was on a Vagabond, stock drop bars (Genesis RandoX Flared (D125/R70mm) which have a slight backsweep on the top.

The bike felt quite short/compact fore-aft so that may be the bigger contribution.

FYI current 9 speed Sora STI's/front derailleur work fine with XT 9 speed chainset/rear derailleur if you really must have indexed front changing. I've a recent tourer set up with this and it's faultless.

I still prefer the simplicity of bar ends. The only downside for me is they're a bit vulnerable when travelling/jumping off at speed (aka 'crashing'). But they're so light/compact, you could carry a spare on longer tours.

Thanks again all.

The mongrel bike will be a sort of 69er Frankenmonstercrossgraveller using an old Fisher 26" wheel mtb frame which was hiding, unloved, in the back of the shed. It was scabbier than a scabby thing, so at the local powder-coaters getting a freshen up as I type.

I could grind the internal diameter of the 9 speed mtb shifter clamp to mount on the top of the drop bars, but quite fancy the bar end shifters for the 1 x 9 set-up I plan to use.

I'm thinking it will be ideal for exploration of the local old railway bed networks, etc and will keep me busy building it for a few hours.

From 30 years ago, it’s better than DT shifters (marginally, if you don’t ride on the drops), nowhere near as good as STI.

See i disagree here i like my bar ends so much i sold my 11speed ultegra. Its different if i was racing etc but i've yet to think "i wish i still had STIs"*

It might have something to with having tiny hands**. STI are shit unless you fit within the normal parameters.

* Not to be said out loud in presence of potential partners.

** Normal palms really short fingers. Break reach can be adjusted but gear change swing can't.

Having said that, i also enjoy the downtube shifters.

Having said that, i also enjoy the downtube shifters.

Now that's just weird. Filthy beast!