I’m running 1×10 – not that it’s even relevant – but I now have my XT shifters outside my XT brake levers (next to the grips, that is). It just feels so right for me. I can brake with my index finger and shift the gears using my thumb and second finger simultaneously, without moving my hands. Anyone else doing this?

Shirley everyone uses that set-up?

My shifter is inside (stem side) of my brakes

Formula brake levers are short but Saint levers are long and it fits better

Tried SLX on the outside but brake levers weren’t in the right place and caused thumb problems

have always done that!

They would be if I wasn’t using matchmaker clamps.

Mine is outside my brakes, but last time out I thought I must move it!

I have STI units, so no

Set mine up like that about 4 years ago. Ain’t no going back !

shift the gears using my thumb and second finger simultaneously

You want to change up and down at the same time?
You’ll end up in the same gear…
You do know you can shift up and down with your thumb don’t you.

I made this change a few years ago, and found that the single finger braking that this allows, solved the aching hand issues that I was having.

If your brake levers are long enough to reach, I recommend that anybody who is curious should try it – you can always put them back if you don’t like it.

You want to change up and down at the same time?
You’ll end up in the same gear…
You do know you can shift up and down with your thumb don’t you.

OK, this is STW, so I should have know I’d get this! :-).

Just swapped mine to this a week ago. I think it’s better, but I’m not sure yet…

On the ‘new’ Shimano (Servo wave levers) brakes, the levers are so short that I run them with the brake levers closest to the grips.

With most brands of brakes I’d agree with you, but Shimano? Nope, you’re crazy.

Newest Deore brakes and Zee shifter. The shifter goes stem side, no way the tiny brake lever would reach if it went the other way round.

Doesn’t everyone do this – at least once they’ve thought about it?

HT – SLX brakes and XTR shifters
FS – Formula R1 brakes and LH Reverb button + RH Zee shifter

Ispec 😆

Ispec positions them as if they are outside the break lever, which is the correct position, when they are inside the brake lever they catch when pulling on the brakes.