ArgoMan

This is why I come here...."friction shifters". What!? Are you kidding me!? I didn't even know these things existed. Now I want one. I found a company called Gevenalle out of Portland that places a friction shifter on top of a Tektro brake lever. Check it out:
https://www.gevenalle.com/shifters/

For one it's a little pricey (about $129). Does anyone have any recommendations for a more reasonable priced shifter? Also, is a bar end shifter a better solution? It would seem a bit of a hassle to operate, as opposed to a shifter right on the brake lever. And finally, are these things a bit of a pain to install?

Camilo

Friction shifting a 9 speed cassette is difficult, and 11 speed would be very difficult. IMHO of course. I "grew up" on friction shifting but tried it on a 9 speed build a couple of years ago and it was very fussy getting a clean shift and the trimming needed to be very precise. I have seen comments by experienced friction shifters that said 9 speed wasn't all that difficult. But for someone who hasn't had a lot of time with friction shifters, I wouldn't recommend it at all for anything above 8 speed.

ArgoMan

I don't think I'd be too worried about shifting with friction shifter with an 11 speed. I've done some research and it appears that if I go with a friction shifter I would have to get it from a company called Gevenalle, if I want to get a shifter that is mounted on the brake lever. That's appealing, except for the price. I'd be paying at least $189! I also think I'd have to order a pair, when I only need a single shifter. I can get a good condition used 105 or Ultegra shifter for almost half that price. I can get a pair of new Ultegra shifters for less! So, the price for those friction shifters make it much less attractive. I can get a bar end shifter for alot less, but I think that such a shifter would be a lot less feasible, with taking a hand off the handlebar to fuddle around with the mechanism. So, unless I can be persuaded, I think just have to get an STI shifter that can handle an 11 cassette.

Marvelousmarkie

Yes. I should have just said he’ll need an eleven speed cassette with the narrower Shimano mountain body.

OP: https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/...compatibility/

Marvelousmarkie

i don’t know the prices, but look at Microshift. They make a whole bunch of Shimano compatible brifters and shifters (thumb and bar end).

https://www.microshift.com

ArgoMan

Thanks guys. Quick question: I have a line on a great condition used Ultergra shifter for a very good price. It's for an 11-speed. Will it work for a 9-speed setup? I'm considering all my options and with this morning's ride on my "concept" bike, I found that my 9-speed setup is working really well for my needs. But the shifter is really tight. So, I'm still considering a friction shifter or maybe an upgraded STI.

Iride01 

What does "shifter is really tight" mean? Probably just too tight a bend in the cable somewhere. Even just the small bend of my shifter cable coming out from beneath the bar wrap to avoid the out front mount for my GPS made it hard to shift up till I rewrapped the bar to give it better routing.

ArgoMan

Iride. That may be the issue. I actually had a second set of brake levers mounted. I forget what they're called. I took them off and re-wrapped the bar. So maybe there's just too much pressure somewhere. Even so, downshifting (shifting to an easier gear?) seems to just be overly tight compared to my 105 shifters. This is a challenge for me as I have a right wrist condition that make such movements rather painful. Hence my inquiry as to a "lighter" shifter or maybe a bar end shifter. Thanks.

seypat

If the long throw of the Shimano brake lever shift is causing issues, get a Microshift STI or one of their variants/knockoffs. They have a 2 paddle system like SRAM. Look up the reviews on this site.

choddo

Mate, you can tell from the bloke’s British accent that they are highly trusworthy and of suitable quality for Prince William’s own CX outings so well worth the investment!

choddo

No. Surely the indexing will be all out of whack?

Camilo

Exactly why I prefer Sram mechanical over Shimano. And now Microshift (recent addition). I prefer the ergonomics/shift design over Shimano by quite a bit. Microshift will likely be my next full build or if I ever have to replace the Shimano shifters on my wife's bike.

OP: you must match the shifter to the cassette and often the RD as well (exceptions abound).