Bar end shifters get a "thumbs up" !
04-05-18, 05:21 PM
#1
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Bar end shifters get a "thumbs up" !
I replaced the original SunTour down tube friction shifters on one of my Fujis with a pair of SunTour bar end shifters. I changed the cables, but retained the bar wrap. Quick and easy job! They make quite a nice difference on this bike! It is now much easier to shift gears, and the shifting is still responsive. The frame sizing was perfect for this change. 
Last edited by cycleheimer; 04-05-18 at 05:25 PM.
04-05-18, 05:54 PM
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I too am a fan of Barcons. I have them on most of my bikes, including a modern Campy ten speed setup.
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04-05-18, 06:52 PM
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Yep, you'll find lots of believers here.
Make sure the little slotted locknuts are on tight. They have a way of vanishing.
Make sure the little slotted locknuts are on tight. They have a way of vanishing.
04-05-18, 08:15 PM
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I got convinced when I was riding criteriums. It was huge to be able to shift with hands on the bar!
04-05-18, 08:35 PM
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I'm surprised nobody has sourced a company that makes round, slotted nuts that would work well on those Barcons. They probably only cost about 50 cents apiece, although you'd probably have to buy 100 or more of them.
04-05-18, 10:53 PM
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barcons rule!
04-06-18, 12:40 AM
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I have three bikes with barcons. Oddly, all of them are indexed, Shimano or J-tek.
I've got at least two sets of SunTour non-indexed barcons in my parts bin but haven't gotten around to trying them. I think I need to build another bike!
I've got at least two sets of SunTour non-indexed barcons in my parts bin but haven't gotten around to trying them. I think I need to build another bike!
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
04-06-18, 04:53 AM
#8
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I had one of the slotted nuts drop off on me. Luckily, it was inside when I was tightening up a little on the bolt it attaches to. It kind of reminded me of a thin watch battery. No way to find that if it drops off on the road. Definitely need to periodically keep an eye on it. Thumpism, thanks for the heads up!
04-06-18, 05:29 AM
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Glad you started this thread as I've also been thinking about starting one. I really like mine. I have them on my 1974 Crescent 92319 and we have now logged about 550 miles together. I too like shifting with my hands on the drops but I'm quite happy with DT shifters too. However with the bar ends I'm able to hold the bar with my thumb and first two fingers while shifting with my 4th and 5th finger. Having my hand on the bar gives me a nice purchase to move the shift lever relative to. IOW I get very fine adjustment of the RD with the bar end shifter vs DT shifters where my hand is not guided by the DT itself, or anything else. Pretty neat.
Also, by personal preference, I've left considerable slack in the FD shifter cable. When the lever is pointed down the cable is slack and tightens up when the lever is about half way to horizontal. To shift small ring to big ring I pull the lever up to horizontal. I could set it all the other way but prefer it this way, much like the RD cable - full tension is horizontal to the ground, down is slackened. BTW, mine are the classic Suntour ratchet barons with original stainless coiled housing (cleaned and oiled during the restoration) and new cables. This all works great and looks great.
Another BTW: I spend considerable time in the drops so I keep my back stretched out and comfortable in the drops - ergo shifting in the drops with the bar ends is easy and comfortable.
https://www.bikeforums.net/attachmen...1&d=1523013943
Also, by personal preference, I've left considerable slack in the FD shifter cable. When the lever is pointed down the cable is slack and tightens up when the lever is about half way to horizontal. To shift small ring to big ring I pull the lever up to horizontal. I could set it all the other way but prefer it this way, much like the RD cable - full tension is horizontal to the ground, down is slackened. BTW, mine are the classic Suntour ratchet barons with original stainless coiled housing (cleaned and oiled during the restoration) and new cables. This all works great and looks great.
Another BTW: I spend considerable time in the drops so I keep my back stretched out and comfortable in the drops - ergo shifting in the drops with the bar ends is easy and comfortable.
https://www.bikeforums.net/attachmen...1&d=1523013943
04-06-18, 06:48 AM
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Clean the threads and put a drop of LocTite BLUE on the often-lost round "lock nuts" and machine screw threads...cheap insurance.
04-06-18, 07:13 AM
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I have barcons on all of my steeds. A flick of the wrist with the pinky/palm is all it takes. If you acquire a set of the Simplex 2615, have something on the ride to adjust the pressure/tension screws. They have a tendency to loosen up.
04-06-18, 08:26 AM
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Some people hate them, often because they hit the levers with their knees. Others love them. I happen to like them a lot, and I had them on my McLean for many years. I'm fine with downtube shifters, but I haven't used them much in decades. I currently don't have bar-ends on any bike, for no particular reason.
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04-06-18, 08:48 AM
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aside from being very convenient and comfortable, i love the ability to sweep the entire cassette when needed. i had 10 speed tiagra with brifters for a while and it just doesnt cut it for me. the barcons are what i will probably use for the rest of my life.
04-06-18, 08:49 AM
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20180120_104011-1.jpg
I really love Ultegra 6480 bar end shifters. Indexed with my shimano 8s wheel or friction with campy 8s and 7s wheels, I can swap gear ratio sooo easy!
I really love Ultegra 6480 bar end shifters. Indexed with my shimano 8s wheel or friction with campy 8s and 7s wheels, I can swap gear ratio sooo easy!
04-06-18, 09:17 AM
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I have not used down tube shifters in 10 years. Bar ends, especially Shimanos are the best.
For awhile they were getting pricey even used, but seemed to have come down. Maybe because of all the aero bars being used now.
For awhile they were getting pricey even used, but seemed to have come down. Maybe because of all the aero bars being used now.
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04-06-18, 10:03 AM
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I've had a set of Dura Ace bar end shifters, never been used and still in the box, for over 25 years. Last year I decided to put them on my Super Le Tour 12.2 and I love them. I bought a pair of the Sun Tours and put them on my Grand Sports.
04-06-18, 10:07 AM
#17
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I have a Modified screwdriver , with a slot ground out of the center, to make sure the domed lock nut does not loosen..
Sun Tour, Mine are from the mid 70's..I've used ever since, .. Have some Campagnolo friction bar end shifters on my C&V road bike too..
...
Sun Tour, Mine are from the mid 70's..I've used ever since, .. Have some Campagnolo friction bar end shifters on my C&V road bike too..
...
Last edited by fietsbob; 04-06-18 at 12:05 PM.
04-06-18, 11:17 AM
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Count me in as a big fan!
Last edited by 67tony; 04-08-18 at 07:34 PM.
04-06-18, 12:01 PM
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I have 2 1/2 or 3 1/2 sets in a storage bin waiting for me to finish a couple of bikes. The only bike with barcons is the tandem where it makes a lot of sense. They happen to be Suntour 7 speed Accushifts.
[IMG]
P1010343, on Flickr[/IMG]
I did try them on the Trek 610 that was assembled as a trial run. Didn't like hitting my knees with them very occasionally. May put them back on when it is re assembled.
[IMG]
104_PaTrek., on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]
P1010343, on Flickr[/IMG]I did try them on the Trek 610 that was assembled as a trial run. Didn't like hitting my knees with them very occasionally. May put them back on when it is re assembled.
[IMG]
104_PaTrek., on Flickr[/IMG]
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04-06-18, 12:38 PM
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I could see taller riders with big frames having knee hitting problems. Doesn't the TT get shorter in relation to the rest of the frame once you hit a certain size?
04-06-18, 12:46 PM
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@seypat - Don't think that is a hard rule. You can lengthen the downtube to get a longer TT. Head tube angles also can change, especially if you don't have lugs limiting the angles.
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04-06-18, 02:33 PM
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Another thumbs up for Barcons.
04-06-18, 02:39 PM
#23
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I'm a huge barcon fan also. I have them from 6-9 speeds (all indexed) on 6 bikes. Most of my bikes are touring related and the last thing I want to do is reach down to shift while climbing a hill with a load on the bike. In my experience they are much more positive shifting than a 3x7 set up with STI levers and my C'dale ST400 is soon to be converted from STI to barcons.
I haven't had any issues with knee shifting but most of my bars have some flare on the drops which helps with clearance.
The only bike I'll put up with DT shifters on is my le Champion.
I haven't had any issues with knee shifting but most of my bars have some flare on the drops which helps with clearance.
The only bike I'll put up with DT shifters on is my le Champion.
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04-06-18, 02:43 PM
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Yes those shifters not only get a "thumbs up", they can be operated with your thumbs up, both up- and down-shifting!
Ben (edited for a typo)
Ben (edited for a typo)
04-06-18, 06:00 PM
#25
Senior Member
Attachment 606116
I really love Ultegra 6480 bar end shifters. Indexed with my shimano 8s wheel or friction with campy 8s and 7s wheels, I can swap gear ratio sooo easy!
I really love Ultegra 6480 bar end shifters. Indexed with my shimano 8s wheel or friction with campy 8s and 7s wheels, I can swap gear ratio sooo easy!
Love your bike, what kind of brake levers are these?