Surly LHT and Nitto Albatross bars - alternative to bar-end shift levers

[Brickboy]

Hi all,

I'm thinking about switching from drops to the Albatross - mainly because of neck ache as I like higher bars and less stretch.

I'm cautious about using the bar-end shift levers, tho - seem like an impalement risk on the Albatross bars. I wondered what would be a good alternative to keep the indexing on the gears but avoid the risk. I cycle-bivvy mostly, loaded up on byeways so the likelihood of a crash is always present.

I also wondered about the potential to just swap my brake levers over - I converted to V brakes some time ago.

Cheers,

Simon

[alexnharvey]

A couple of companies make thumbshifter adapters that convert a bar-end or downtube shifter.

Regarding the brake levers, might look a bit clumsy with the hoods and possibly cable routing. Can't quite picture it myself.

[Brucey]

the brake levers will fit the slimmer (22.2mm dia?) handlebars OK, with a shim if necessary (but it usually isn't).

I take it you have bar-end shifters at present? An inexpensive way of adding them to flat bars (other than at the end) is to use a set of bar-ends mounted nearer the middle of the handlebar, and to fit the shifters into those. There are several wrinkles to this approach;

1) the bar end needs to be able to go around the bends in the handlebar
2) not every bar end has an ID that will accept the shifters without modification
3) you might want to shorten the bar-ends a bit

but the bar ends also make another riding position too.

If you are handy with shims and a hacksaw you can make some dedicated gear mounts from a set of these;

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/HB3TTIRA/3ttt-tiramisu-bar-extensions

cheers

[AndyA]

Tiramisu (and Cinelli Spinaci) clip on barends make great bag supports for bikepacking style luggage. Especially the holey Spinaci light as you can thread straps through the holes.
Planet x seems to have secured the world's supplies for pennies.

[zenitb]

I am not clear from your post what length your current v-brake arms are.

- Mini v-brake arms used on road bikes are 80mm - 85mm long
- Normal v-brake arms for mountain bikes are 103mm long
- Shimano T670 V-brake arms for mountain bikes with mudguards are 107mm long

Basically normal flat bar v-brake levers are designed to feel right with 103mm or 107mm v-brakes.
I think the 80mm mini-vs are designed to be used with drop bar brake levers so will probably not feel quite right with normal flat bar v-brake levers ?

Having said that though I wasn't 100% clear whether you were going to use drop or flat brake levers with your new bars ... is the above an issue for you ?

[Brickboy]

Cheers guys,

With regard to the levers, I was hoping to just transfer the drop levers over but I guess it looks like that's not the best option.

Cheers,

Simon

[Brucey]

which levers and brakes do you have?

If they work at present I can't see why they wouldn't carry on working once fitted to the new bars.

cheers

[scottg]

Paul makes a widget to mount bar-cons on bars like old timey thumb shifters.

https://paulcomp.com/shop/components/shimanothumbies/

[Freddie]

How high are your drop bars now and can they not be raised higher still (current picture would help). Have you tried this?

[Tao]

[NetworkMan]

How high are your drop bars now and can they not be raised higher still (current picture would help). Have you tried this?

Yes, and also I found switching to compact bars made things much less of a stretch. This reduced the reach from 100 mm on the old bars to 70 mm. If you are happy on the tops but find the hoods and drops a stretch then this might well help a lot.

[pete75]

This chap seems to be using Albatross and bar end levers without problems - maybe drop him a line about his experiences.

http://endlessvelolove.blogspot.com/201 ... lebar.html