vorpalchortle

Hello,
I'm curious about installing a Nexus 8 internal hub on my commuter, but have some questions about shifters.
Currently I have a 10-speed Tiagra setup with Dura Ace down tube shifters indexed for 10-speeds, but believe I can set these to friction.
I swapped out the stock drop bar and brifters for Velo Orange portuer bars with inverse and interrupter brakes levers.
Most shift grip/twist shifters (the Nexus 8 compatible ones I've seen) are for 22.2mm handlebars... I have 23.8mm bars.
I can't use bar end shifters due to the inverse brake levers, and wondering if the 10-speed shifter I have with work with the Nexus 8 speed hub.
Perhaps indexed and not use the last two clicks? Or set it to friction and use by feel?
I do see there are some thumb shifter out there (VO is pricy and Paul has 22.2 and 31.8, but not 23.8...), but the question of compatibility remains.
Or I take apart my handlebar setup and get the 22.2 version of portuer bars.
I think the Tektro RX4.1 inverse brake levers will still fit those and I could probably get the grip shift on the straight part of the handlebar before it curves.
I'd have to get more shims for the interrupter levers as those are made for 31.8mm, the size of the original drop bars.
I appreciate any suggestions, especially about the 8-speed hub with an 10-speed shifter.
Oh, and possibly could keep the front derailleur since I have a chain tensioner I could use and am curious about the extra range of gears.
Thanks!

vorpalchortle

Update:
Just learned from Velo Orange that my current inverse brake levers will NOT fit into 22.2mm handlebars.

Reynolds 

Nexus/Alfine 8 shifter pull is totally different to derailleur 10 speed shifters, so no.
I don't think it can be used in friction mode either, shifting must be very precise or you risk damaging the hub.
Sorry but you should use only a specific Nexus/Alfine 8 shifter IMO.

JonathanGennick 

+1. It's no fun what one hears when pushing hard on the pedals with the shifting out of alignment.

Darth Lefty 

zze86

+1 to all the responses above. The Nexus 8 hub system is completely different from derailleur setups so you won't be able to use anything from your old setup. The Nexus8 requires an indexed system to hold each gear. Microshift makes a thumbshifter that will fit onto 22.2 bars and which works really well.

vorpalchortle

Thanks so much for all the replies.
I also spoke with mechanics at my local bike shop and was told just about the same - don't mix and match.

And today I found this potentially helpful (although it looks overwhelming) page on Sheldon Brown's site:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribshe...able-pull.html

canyoneagle

Although you mentioned bar ends are not an option, perhaps this could be configured as a bar-top shifter with a little ingenuity (accessory mount, etc)

I can attest to the quality of these - I used one on an Alfine 8 and absolutely loved it. Extremely high quality shifter and a delight to use.

Jtek Engineering United Kindom

I no longer have the bike (I miss it) but here was the setup: Alfine 8 with J-tek bar-end. ridiculously smooth.

irwin7638

Here's my experience with a Shimano Nexus hub. Long Story short: a 75 cent spring broke inside, Shimano quit making the part and recommended I buy a new hub. I did, a NuVinci CWP and have been much happier with that.

Simply Cycle: Cool day and I broke the black box
Simply Cycle: Broken Shimano Nexus Hub V-The final chapter
Marc

fietsbob

you bore out the inside until it will..

I knew a guy who made bar end shifters fit in MTB bar ends, as he made under the seat steered recumbents,
and that let him fit brakes and shifters on the bar ends , to a straight bar ..
, so owner of bike chose the angle for the bar end & grip..