Polaris OBark

I've been using some Microshift mtn 11-speed bar-end shifters, but I wanted to try an alternative that would use conventional click shifters and be centrally located.

I bought one of those $12 handlebar extenders and mounted them "backwards" on my Redshift kitchen sink bars. I haven't given it a test-ride yet, and already have my doubts, but for the record, here it is (new bar tape day as well):



I've still left the bar end shifters in place, if I decide I hate the clutter more than getting stabbed in the nuts.




It is finally raining here, so I haven't tested it yet.

veganbikes

Gevenalle, Gevenalle, Gevenalle. You can get them with TRP Hylex brakes and levers or swap the calipers with something else mineral oil and it would probably work well.

Polaris OBark

Since I already have the Hylex brakes, $12 seemed like a nice alternative to $300 unobtainium. The microshift levers Gevenalle uses are the same as those that I have, BTW, so the only improvement is proximity. And they arguable are even uglier than this.

Oh, yeah, I wound up replacing the TRP calipers with Shimano. Works fine (arguably better).

veganbikes

Maybe ugly to some maybe not but super functional. I don't love any thing where the brake lever is a shifter, They look fine I guess but are terrible while shifting or braking. Try them you might like them.

c_m_shooter

https://surlybikes.com/parts/corner_bar

Polaris OBark

I'm actually going back to (relatively) conventional drop bars for this drop-bar mountain bike, having tried several of the alt-bar configurations (all of which seem to pre-suppose normal flat-bar mountain bike frame reach). I haven't tried the Surley one because it doesn't seem to be available for purchase anywhere, and it isn't what I want (i.e., something that is designed for road brake levers and a drop-bar specific mtn frame reach).

My original intent with the OP was simply to show another option for mounting mountain shifters (SLX in this case) with road bars; I've just set it up to do the experiment. I'm not at all sure I am going to keep it that way, because it is a bit cluttered compared to my bar-ends, which are quite minimalistic, and it might not be ergonomic under real-world conditions (it seems fine in the garage).

Polaris OBark

I find that the amount of torque I have to apply to the right shifter is such that I would probably destroy the brifter, especially with the lower gears. As it is, I have trouble keeping it from moving around and flexing in the bar-end, and I have to leverage against the end of the bar itself while shifting. If I loosen it any more (to make shifting easier), it ghost-shifts, which is probably why they don't let you put the 11-speed shifter (unlike the 2/3 shifter on the rhs) into friction mode (the instructions to the contrary on their website notwithstanding). In short, paying several hundred dollars just to move the same shifter to a new location that offers less leverage is a dicey proposition. The click-shifters, (which I used when I was trying some of the alt-bars) definitely work a lot better for the rear derailleur.

Kapusta

Nice! That was some clever thinking. Interested to know how it works.

Polaris OBark

Thanks. I tried it out for the first time today, and it actually works better than I had thought it would. One nice feature is that I can access the long paddle from either above or below the brake hood, so I don't even have to change my grip on the shifters to do those shifts. The 11-speed click shifter is much easier to actuate than the bar-end as well. I'm going to try it out a bit more, but am now leaning toward keeping this in place in some form. I wouldn't mind finding a slightly more elegant or minimal mounting system.

prj71

Do you ride that with drop bars on mountain bike trails?

Polaris OBark

Yes.

prj71

I was asking a serious question. Friend of mine tried that trick and claimed the handling went to crap so he put the mountain bike handlebar back on. Correct parts for job and all you know.

Polaris OBark

It is a frame specifically designed for drop bars, as stated above (most explicitly in post 6).

Eric F 

I ride my gravel bike (drop bars) on probably 80%+ of the same roads and trails where I ride my MTB. I stay away from the more extreme stuff when I'm on my gravel bike, but otherwise either bike is just fine.

Polaris OBark

I think the handling issue is due to excessive reach if you put drops on a frame designed for flat bars. If leverage is an issue, you can get really wide drop bars.

prj71

My comprehension is just fine and not sure what immunology has to do with anything posted here.

Any so called drop bar mountain bike (such as the Salsa Cutthroat) I would refer to as a gravel bike or bike packing bike. Not a true mountain bike in my opinion.

Polaris OBark

....

Kapusta

Whoa, there.