Bar end shifters on drop bars – why not run the cables all the way to the stem?

Asked by: Michele Harrison

How do you install bar end shifters on drop bars?

Quote from video: To attach the right lever find the square mounting surface on the plug mount then match the half circle indent on the lever assembly to the side of the square facing the bottom of the shifter.

What is the point of bar end shifters?

Bar end shifters on the end of the aero bars means the rider can stay in the most aerodynamic position and also change gear. This makes the rider much more efficient, saves energy moving around, and keeps them in the low down fast position.

How do you use a bar end shifter?

Quote from video: The web between my thumb and my forefinger is right across the end of the handlebar. Here creates a nice leverage point. And allows me to use my fourth. And fifth fingers to do all the gear shifting.

Are bar end shifters any good?

When compared with integrated brake/shift levers they are inexpensive, simple and reliable; all prized traits in touring gear. For my money, they’re the flat-out best shifter for a drop-bar touring bike.

Do friction shifters click?

Friction shifters are a sliding scale of control. There’s no clicking. You simply push or pull the lever to slide your derailleur up or down. Again, you have one lever for the front and one for the rear.

What is a downtube shifter?

Downtube shifters are shift levers mounted on the downtube of the bicycle. Not everybody will feel comfortable taking their hand completely off the handlebar in order to shift but for those of us who don’t mind doing so, downtube shifters offer the most minimalistic of gear shifting solutions.

How do you use a stem shift on a bike?

Quote from video: So with the big lever you will be changing into a larger sprocket or a larger chain ring depending on whether you using your right hand shifter we were left-hand shifter then the smaller lever.

How does a twist shifter work?

Twist shifters are used by twisting the shifter — placed over the handlebar and serving as the rider’s handgrip — forward or backward to make the gears move up or down. Mountain bikers prefer twist shifters so they can change gears without taking a hand off the handlebars and potentially losing control of the bike.

What are STI levers?

Shimano Total Integration (STI) is a gearshift system designed by Shimano for racing bicycles. It combines the braking and gear shifting controls into the same component. This allows shifting gears without having to remove a hand from the bars, unlike previous down tube shifting systems.

Are friction shifters universal?

Friction shifters have a higher learning curve and require more conscious effort. However, they’re almost universally compatible, extremely durable, and often cheap to replace.

What is friction shifting on a bicycle?

Friction shifting is shifting without the notches. The shifter moves linearly, like a ramp rather than stairs, and so, in theory, you can move the shifter in between gears and not quite be in the gear.

What is friction on a bike?

Friction is a force that resists sliding motion between contacting surfaces. A bike, for example, has many instances of friction. The brake pads and the wheel rims have friction when we brake. There is friction between the handlebar and the hands that allows for a successful gripping.

Are thumb shifters any good?

The biggest one is that grip shifters enable you to shift to any gear in one continuous motion, whereas thumb shifters will let you shift upwards for a maximum of one gear and downwards of three. This shifting behavior doesn’t really translate to any benefit in reality.

Can you use friction shifters with any derailleur?

Any derailleur will work with a friction shifter.

How do you shift a friction shifter?

Quote from video: So basically that's the position how the friction shifting works you know what i will do for you guys let me show you uh how that works is i push it over the chair as i push the chain. Over.

How do you install a MicroShift shifter?

Quote from video: Next remove the brake lever from the handlebar. Then slide the shifter onto the bar with the barrel adjuster facing into the bike and the numbers of the indicator facing the rider.

How do you install Dura Ace TT shifters?

Quote from video: Just pushes through there with the flange that into the flange they'll face each other there the screws hole that fixes everything the lever on will face outwards.

How do you remove the end shift on a Suntour Bar?

Quote from video: So put in your handlebars to mount it and tighten it you turn counterclockwise to loosen it and take it out of your handlebars. It's clockwise so i'll just unscrew.

What is integrated shifter?

These shifters are called “integrated shifters” and are operated by levers that are adjacent to or integrated into the brake levers, so that pushing the brake sideways (rather than pulling back to engage the brake) engages the mechanism and shifts gears.

What are the two types of shifters?

There are two main types of MTB derailleur shifter: trigger shifters and the less common twist shifters. Trigger shifters: Also known as ‘rapidfire’ shifters, these are located below the handlebar. Riders use a thumb button to shift to larger sprockets and a small index-finger operated ‘trigger’ to downshift.

What does STI stand for Shimano?

Shimano Total Integration

When Shimano launched its STI (Shimano Total Integration) system, it did much more than just relocate and streamline the gear levers — it completely changed how people rode and raced bikes.