Bar end levers - why?

[coast 2 coast]

At one time I had 3 similar machines except that one used Ergo, one DT and the last used bar end. I found myself reaching for the wrong position sometimes and of course still do using DT and Ergo pretty equally.

I have bikes with DT, Bar End, Ergo, Rapid Fire and Twist Grip, shifters. I have also previously owned bikes with STIs, I occasionally find my hands going to the wrong place to shift and I have no problem with that. I enjoy the variety and would not want each bike to be exactly the same. If that were the point, I would have just one bike. I am not racing, my riding pleasure is not derived from being the quickest, the fastest, or the first over the line. It matters not in the slightest if I miss a shift once in a while. In fact, I find it vaguely amusing.

Each bike is so different from each other, it is difficult to say which system works best. They all do slightly different things and were selected specifically for their specific characteristics. The bike I derive most pleasure from riding is DT shifting. Although this is not an option on dropped bar bikes, I think the system that works best in terms of convenience and ergonomics, is Twist Grip.

[reohn2]

...............In our case though, both of us independently chose against STIs, both of us have only had one set, and both times Tiagra,but I chose bar-ends (at the point of moving away from STIs), and Madame chose down-tubes. Both of us did this out of not liking using them. Nothing to do with simplicity or reliability, just preference.

Each to his own cereal

I like BEs a lot, more than other types in fact, but I've not found them to be the be-all and end-all of simplicity. My SRAM (TT500 10 spd) ones have a very fine line between being too loose (& slipping) and too tight, whilst with my Shimano (Dura Ace 9spd), the ratchet/friction selection is unreliable- select friction, and a few miles down the road it'll have creeped back into indexing.

I can't speak for Sram as I've never used them but Shimano friction/index function I've found reliable when I've used it though TBH that's not very much.There is a positive click IIRC when switching over and it is possible to engage friction without the little ring thing clicking positively into place,could that be the problem?

Quite surprised nobody has mentioned Retroshift yet, but I guess those are even more vulnerable than BEs and still rare.

I think I mentioned this on the Kelly thread,the Retro system is IMO has limited use in that it can only be used from the hoods.

[mrjemm]

Fruit'n Fibre...

The Dura Ace not staying in friction could perhaps be down to me having them in Paul Thumbies, I guess.

Been a while since I went right through a Kelly thread... and at least Colin's one takes rather a long time to go through it! One day I'll use them... they're an 'investment'.

[Graham O]

Not quite bar ends, but has anyone tried rapidfire type shifters on the horizontal section of drop bars? Most of my riding is on the tops and it was an idea which occurred to me recently.
Currently run DT shifters on the commuter but will be building a Surly Cross Check soon Want to use full size v brakes, so Tektro levers, but still wondering over gear shifting.

[mrjemm]

Not quite bar ends, but has anyone tried rapidfire type shifters on the horizontal section of drop bars? Most of my riding is on the tops and it was an idea which occurred to me recently.

If you mean MTB/hybrid style shifters, then getting them on and there may be a problem... too fat for the hole I think.

[RonK]

In our case though, both of us independently chose against STIs, both of us have only had one set, and both times Tiagra, but I chose bar-ends (at the point of moving away from STIs), and Madame chose down-tubes. Both of us did this out of not liking using them. Nothing to do with simplicity or reliability, just preference.

How refreshing to hear from another who is prepared to say they simply don't like one option or another, rather than try to justify their choice in negative terms.

I made the opposite choice for exactly the same reason - I simply don't like bar ends.

[Graham O]

If you mean MTB/hybrid style shifters, then getting them on and there may be a problem... too fat for the hole I think.

Which hole? Do you mean the clamp is too wide for drop bars?

[foxyrider]

Which hole? Do you mean the clamp is too wide for drop bars?

The opposite - it may well be too small!

[coast 2 coast]

The clamp for Rapid Fire pods will be too small in diameter, to fit on dropped bars. Surly LHTs can be built very successfully with butterfly bars though. Which would allow Rapid Fire shifters and provide you with various riding positions.

If most of your riding is done on the tops, it sounds like your bike is either the wrong size or has not been fitted correctly. When using drops, most of your riding is normally done on the hoods. A bike should be fitted so putting your hands on the hoods, is the natural, intuitive and comfortable, place to put your hands. If your hands naturally want to go to the hoods, you will find it easier to adopt the other positions.

[Big T]

An interesting review of 3 road bikes on the Gadget Show last night, by Blue Peter's Helen Skelton.

She was testing bikes on a hill in Lake District (Honister?) - a Trek Domane WSD with STI's, a Genesis Day One with hub gear and bar end shifter, and a Carbon Ribble with Di2.

She didn't like the bar end shifter because you have to move your hand to change gear. Of the 3 bikes, she preferred the Di2 shifters. I think she had problems with the STi's due to small hands and lack of finger strength/dexterity.

[georgew]

The bars shown in the link will allow Rapidfire shifters to be fitted as well as providing many hand positions. I think they also look better than Butterfly bars.

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/humpert-ahs- ... prod24411/

[coast 2 coast]

They wont be as effective at soaking up trail buzz as butterfly bars though.

[georgew]

They wont be as effective at soaking up trail buzz as butterfly bars though.

What evidence do you have for saying this?

[andrew_s]

Quite surprised nobody has mentioned Retroshift yet, but I guess those are even more vulnerable than BEs and still rare.

I think I mentioned this on the Kelly thread,the Retro system is IMO has limited use in that it can only be used from the hoods.

So what?
Without having to move your hands, thumbies can only be used from the tops, bar-ends can only be used from the drops, and downtube levers can't be used at all

[reohn2]

So what?
Without having to move your hands, thumbies can only be used from the tops, bar-ends can only be used from the drops, and downtube levers can't be used at all

Kelly's and STI's can be used from hoods and drops,Kelly's also have the added advantage of being able to be used from the tops too.
You can also change gear and brake simultaneously with STI's.
B/ends and Retroshift can only be used in any one of those positions.

For convenience Kelly's and STI's beat all comers.
It can be argued that Kelly's beat STi's or B/ends from a touring POV because they're out of the way in a fall,very convenient and can,with the right 7/8/9or10sp levers,be used in friction mode so don't tie you in to one system and so if needs be work with any front or rear mech.