Ivo_Shandor

I'm building up a touring bike for an upcoming trans-Am trip next summer. I've been thinking about trying these Gevenalle Shifter/brake levers as an alternative to bar end shifters or STI levers. They seem to combine the best of both worlds:

-"better" shift lever placement (not that bar ends are in a bad place, but I'm on the hoods 90% of the time)
-reliability of bar end shifters...because...they are
- they even come in a long pull model for linear pull or bb7 mtb versions (which are reportedly stronger than the bb7 road?)
- they come with nifty AUDAX shifter models

However, Im wondering if they will be compatible with my ortlieb handlebar bag since the cables cross in front of the handlebar bag.

Anybody have any experience with these?

Shifters Archives - Gevenalle

mstateglfr 

I'd suggest starting a thread in the C&V forum asking this same question.

Gevenalle has a following in that area and a lot of C&V posters have touring bikes.

Tourist in MSN

A friend of mine uses a handlebar bag with his Shimano STI shifters. He put in a V brake noodle at the shifter to bend the cable downward so that it does not interfer with his bar bag.

The photo is not very good, I cropped out a tiny part of a big photo to show what I am talking about. On his left shifter (right side of photo) it is pretty easy to see the V brake noodle because the bright silver finish.



If you look hard you can find black noodles too. I bought some for one of my bikes.

If I was going to try to set up a bike that way with brake noodles, I would look for the noodles that also include an adjuster for cable length.

fietsbob

Cyclo-crossers like them because they are cheaper to replace if you crash, and dont muck up in the mud.

you can put your Shimano bar end shifters on them, if the microshift ones dont float your boat.

They went to Tektro for their special order brake lever versions ..

phughes

Interesting, I had never seen these, of course I haven't been looking for shifters for a few years. They look nice. If you can get them to work with your bag I would say go for it. I doubt you'll have issues getting it to work with the bag.

PiLigand

These are cool. I want them too! If I had the choice, I'd use them over bar-end.

SurlyLHT26in08

I was going to get them and I gone with flat handlebars and shimano xt thumb shifters 9speed
and I see gevenalle out of stock

tedder

I love "gev". The only thing holding me back are the exposed cables, as you mention.

I especially love them because they are local to me

fietsbob

No factory like Chris King, they are not made in Oregon, they went to Asia for that . It's done a Lot in the US Bike Biz.

Out Of Stock means the container ship is still in Taipei getting more containers filled and loaded .

retroshift

The only parts we are waiting on currently are the MADE IN PORTLAND machined shifter mounts.

Goats

mstateglfr 

Ha!

djb

Can't speak for these shifters, but I suspect you'll have to physically see some shifters on a bike with your ortlieb mount and bag in hand to really see how much the cables get sqwershed.

And you realise bar width is always going to be a factor

As well as specific width of the bag.

My med size plus 5 (I think, before they took out the snaps and put magnets) works well with the 9 speed tiagra brifters--yes the housings get moved a bit, but not too much and I consider myself reasonably mechanically sympathetic.

Unfortunately I think you'll have to really make a decision only by seeing a bike with them on and realise the various factors that can be variables probably make it hard for even the shifter company to give you proper answer.

Do you have any photos of bikes with these shifters on? I could at least compare the cable placement to my bike, which has the ortlieb mount always on.

fietsbob

got an exploded parts assembly diagram showing which one that is? bidding it out to another vendor yet?

veganbikes

I think Gevenalle is a good way to go. I am trying to make my own homebrew Gevenalle style brifters because I want to keep my current SRAM lever which are super comfy however this will be a crazy project and the Gev levers are all ready to go.

djb

I would just add that in terms of reliability, sti shifters are plenty reliable. My tiagra shifters have over 5 seasons on them must have at least 10 or 12,000 km on them and shift no different than new. Lots and lots of people use sti's all the time for touring without any issues, and they sure are nice to use all the time.

a bit of once or twice a season squirt of silicone based spray can lube like Jigg-a-Loo and they just keep on shifting.

tedder

Reliable until they break- for instance, in a crash.

djb

Lots of stuff can break in a crash, especially if one is prone to crashing.

mdilthey

I don't get it. You're upset that things move out of the US, and then someone makes something in the US and you're upset that they ​might not someday, maybe?

fietsbob

I wanted to have 'goats' answer. specific component part .. Lots of CNC machines in the US.

you got one?

tedder

The difference is the repairability.

djb

of course, but you can counter that with looking at your riding experience and seeing what are the chances of crashing (so addressing damage, repairability) as well as conditions (far flung off trip in mucky dusty conditions all the time, or first world paved roads with access to bike stores etc)

its all about realistic assessment of risk and the type of trip you are doing. Ive never crashed a touring bike in over 25 years, and rarely crashed an unloaded bike, so I take this into account of my assessment of using sti's. But thats not to say that certain conditions/trips are not the right thing for them. If I were ever to bike in South America, I wouldnt go with brifters, but would have no qualms riding on all kinds of other trips with them.

in any case, you go with what you want. No biggie. Im just putting out realistic reasons why sti's are suitable for lots of touring.

The Goats

It's the mount that holds the whole thing together (to mount shift lever to brake lever).

We would LOVE to NOT be waiting for these but are not quick to ditch one vendor for another. For some it is 'just business' we do not fall under that catagory.

XOXO

Goats

The Goats

Exposed cables is a 'plus' feature! Makes for a smoother cable angle and less friction (not an issue on a road bike but a benefit in dirt of CX). Also makes for quick cable and housing changes during the season.

Embrace it!

XOXO

Goats