Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

Bar End Shifters

Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

Bar End Shifters

Old 08-27-20, 06:33 AM
  #1  
Gaff
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Georgia
Posts: 40

Bikes: Chiorda, Gitane, Trek 420, Trek 410, Trek 920, Trek 1100, Miyata One Thousand, Bridgestone XO-4

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Liked 19 Times in 8 Posts
Bar End Shifters

Good morning,

I am looking at possibly putting bar end shifters on my Miyata One Thousand. There are some nice vintage Suntour and Shimano bar end shifters out there. From what I have read, the Suntours are highly regarded. They would control a set of Deore Deer Heads.

I’d welcome any insight as to what might you think might work the best for this setup.

Thanks!
Gaff is offline  
Old 08-27-20, 06:41 AM
  #2  
bikemig 
Senior Member
 
bikemig's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,505

Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones

Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5877 Post(s)
Liked 3,445 Times in 2,066 Posts
If you are going to stay with friction, sun tour bar cons are excellent. If you want something new, dia compe makes friction bar end end shifters.


If you are going indexed, then get the right bar end shifters; shimanos are excellent.

I'm running dia compe ene bar end shifters on my 1982 Trek 720 and suntour barcons on my mid 70s Fuji Finest. I like them both but I like the suntour bar cons a bit better. YMMV.

Last edited by bikemig; 08-27-20 at 06:45 AM.
bikemig is offline  
Old 08-27-20, 07:31 AM
  #3  
wintermute
Full Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 459

Bikes: 1980 Motobecane Grand Jubile, 1986 Kuwahara ATB, 2006 Bianchi Volpe, 2016 Salsa Fargo

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Liked 29 Times in 17 Posts
I have new Dia Compes controlling Shimano Deer Heads on my drop bar MTB conversion. Between the micro-ratcheting on the DIa Compes (which allows you to run with less friction) and the Centeron lever on the RD, it shifts like a dream. Since you're not running indexed, don't bother with Shimanos and go with Dia Compe or Rivendell if you want new and Suntour if you want old.
wintermute is offline  
Likes For wintermute:
Old 08-27-20, 07:32 AM
  #4  
The Golden Boy 
Extraordinary Magnitude
 
The Golden Boy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,640

Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT

Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2597 Post(s)
Liked 1,677 Times in 926 Posts
The Suntour Barcons are the standard for friction bar end shifting.

While most bar end shifters will have a friction option, IMO dedicated friction shifters are better for your application if you’re planning on keeping the Deer Heads. Campagnolo and Simplex made some pure friction units. Shimano had some friction bar end shifters- the L600- that had a spring that counteracts the derailleur springs- The Suntour units have a clutched ratcheting system that is more stable and nice to use. If you get really lucky, Simplex made their Retrofriction shifters as bar ends- it’s a smooth clutched action.

But really- the Suntour Barcons are the standard.
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*

Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!

"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
The Golden Boy is offline  
Likes For The Golden Boy:
Old 08-27-20, 08:22 AM
  #5  
Gaff
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Georgia
Posts: 40

Bikes: Chiorda, Gitane, Trek 420, Trek 410, Trek 920, Trek 1100, Miyata One Thousand, Bridgestone XO-4

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Liked 19 Times in 8 Posts
Thanks for the great information! I am finding the reach for the DT shifters less than ideal these days and looking for something more comfortable and secure.
Gaff is offline  
Old 08-27-20, 09:32 AM
  #6  
ryansu
Senior Member
 
ryansu's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 2,870

Bikes: 2009 Handsome Devil, 1987 Trek 520 Cirrus, 1978 Motobecane Grand Touring, 1987 Nishiki Cresta GT, 1989 Specialized Allez Former bikes; 1986 Miyata Trail Runner, 1979 Miyata 912, 2011 VO Rando, 1999 Cannondale R800, 1986 Schwinn Passage

Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 796 Post(s)
Liked 522 Times in 367 Posts
There was a bar con thread within the last few years you might want to search for that to get more info, inspiration
ryansu is offline  
Old 08-27-20, 09:33 AM
  #7  
Gaff
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Georgia
Posts: 40

Bikes: Chiorda, Gitane, Trek 420, Trek 410, Trek 920, Trek 1100, Miyata One Thousand, Bridgestone XO-4

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Liked 19 Times in 8 Posts
I found a set of NOS Suntour Power Ratchets. Looking forward to giving them a try.

Thanks again.
Gaff is offline  
Likes For Gaff:
Old 08-27-20, 09:49 AM
  #8  
GravityMan
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Metro Detroit - Rochester, MI
Posts: 6

Bikes: 1989 Cannondale ST400, 1986 Cannondale ST400, 1985 Cannondale ST400

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I just rebuilt a 1989 Cannondale ST400 with triple crank and 6 speed freewheel. I used new Shimano SL-BS77 bar end shifters (in stock at JensonUSA) in friction mode controlling vintage Suntour 3040 FD & RD. Works like a champ and comes with all the parts you need to do the conversion including cables and housing. Took me about 45 minutes to mount both and that was taking my time.

I built them into Venzo drop bars that I added to a flat bar to give some additional ride positions. Look them up on Amazon. I can't post the link because I don't have 10 posts, sorry.

The whole conversion includes a stemless adapter and adjustable mount, flat bar, bar end climbing grips and the Venzo drops. Lots of adjustability!
GravityMan is offline  
Old 08-27-20, 05:08 PM
  #9  
arex
Abuse Magnet
 
arex's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,888

Bikes: '91 Mtn Tek Vertical, '74 Raleigh Sports, '72 Raleigh Twenty, '84 Univega Gran Turismo, '09 Surly Karate Monkey, '92 Burley Rock-n-Roll, '86 Miyata 310, '76 Raleigh Shopper

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 151 Post(s)
Liked 172 Times in 86 Posts
I have Suntour barcons on one bike with Suntour derailleurs, and Shimano Ultegra barend shifters on another bike with Deore XT derailleurs. The Ultegra shifters are quite good, but the Suntour shifters feel nicer. It also doesn't hurt that the Suntour shifters are a little longer to fit my massive paws.

Suntour barcons are getting a bit scarce, though, so that's a consideration.
arex is offline  
Old 08-27-20, 05:15 PM
  #10  
Miele Man
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,655

Bikes: iele Latina, Miele Suprema, Miele Uno LS, Miele Miele Beta, MMTB, Bianchi Model Unknown, Fiori Venezia, Fiori Napoli, VeloSport Adamas AX

Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1324 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times in 640 Posts
The thing that made SunTour bar end shifters superior is that they were ratchet shifters unlike Campagnolo or Shimano of the same era. Thus the SunTour shifters were a fair bit easier to shift with.

Cheers
Miele Man is offline  
Likes For Miele Man:
Old 08-27-20, 05:28 PM
  #11  
Cougrrcj
Senior Member
 
Cougrrcj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 3,891

Bikes: A few...

Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 620 Post(s)
Liked 370 Times in 256 Posts
I've been using SunTour barcons since late '76. I had been riding a bike with stem shifters previously, and I felt awkward reaching down to the downtube to shift when I bought my S-10S new in Oct '76. My college roommate had SunTour barcons on his Viscount and I thought that those were even better!! They've been on my Fuji since then as my only bike until the BF.net enablers got to me.

Nothing wrong with the barcons, but since joining BF I got newer bikes!!! Now all of my other road-ridden bike have them because that's what I'm used to - and comfortable with! Two are double crank, and two are triples, all wear six-speed freewheels!!! Yeah, my newest road-ridden bike is already close to 35 years old. So what? I like it - and am still riding, and that is all that matters!!!!
Cougrrcj is offline  
Likes For Cougrrcj:
Old 08-27-20, 05:55 PM
  #12  
randyjawa 
Senior Member
 
randyjawa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Posts: 11,672

Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma

Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1370 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,743 Times in 934 Posts
The only bar end shifter I have used are the tried and true Suntour Power shifters, Suntour Accushift shifters, Simplex bar ends and, of course, Campagnolo.

No other Barcon (bar end shifter) has impressed me as much as the Suntour Accusshift. Because the system works so good on my Jamaica Bianchi, I bought a second used set (from a forum member and thanks) to install on my Rocky Mountain...
__________________
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
randyjawa is offline  
Likes For randyjawa:
Old 08-27-20, 06:12 PM
  #13  
USAZorro
Señor Member
 
USAZorro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Hardy, VA
Posts: 17,934

Bikes: Mostly English - predominantly Raleighs

Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1491 Post(s)
Liked 1,071 Times in 633 Posts
Honestly, unless you get a set that either doesn't have the ability to pull the derailleur far enough, or get something that's indexed only and doesn't match the indexing on your freewheel or cassette, I don't think you'll have regrets no matter which make you get. I first experienced them in 1978, and they've been favorites ever since. About 1/2 of my small fleet have them. Some Sun Tour, some Shimano.
__________________
In search of what to search for.
USAZorro is offline  
Old 08-28-20, 06:46 AM
  #14  
Kabuki12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,404
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 863 Post(s)
Liked 2,225 Times in 1,248 Posts
My 1973 Mondia came with Campagnolo Bar end shifters and they are OK . I prefer down tube only because that is what I have ridden for over 45 years. My daughter loves the Suntour Power Bar End Shifters that came on her Raleigh Super Grand Prix. I have an identical set in my parts bin waiting for a bike , then I can compare with the Campagnolo. I like the ratcheting on the SunTour , the Campy ones don't have that.
Kabuki12 is online now  
Old 08-28-20, 11:27 AM
  #15  
John E
feros ferio
 
John E's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,764

Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;

Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1384 Post(s)
Liked 1,293 Times in 819 Posts
I am using SunTour barcons on a 2x6 setup on my Peugeot, and I am delighted with them. My other road bikes have Campag. downtube levers, and my mountain bike has SunTour XC ratcheting thumb shifters, which I run in non-index mode. I did recently wear out the ratchet mechanism of a front shifter, but in other respects I am a happy camper.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
John E is offline  
Old 08-28-20, 02:10 PM
  #16  
gugie 
Bike Butcher of Portland
 
gugie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 11,638

Bikes: It's complicated.

Mentioned: 1299 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4667 Post(s)
Liked 5,765 Times in 2,270 Posts
Here's a trick: if you're knees tend to hit the bar end shifters when you stand and climb, cut the bars down a bit. I've never ridden drop bars where I needed that extra 1-2" when riding in the drops, and the bar end fixed bit extends them about about an inch anyways.
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
gugie is offline  
Likes For gugie:
Old 08-29-20, 02:37 AM
  #17  
etherhuffer 
Senior Member
 
etherhuffer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: West Seattle
Posts: 1,420

Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker,81 Fuji Gran Tour SE, 83 Fuji S12S LTD, Voyageur 11.8 chrome, Raleigh R300 Touring, Voyageur 11.8

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 283 Post(s)
Liked 489 Times in 225 Posts
Originally Posted by gugie
Here's a trick: if you're knees tend to hit the bar end shifters when you stand and climb, cut the bars down a bit. I've never ridden drop bars where I needed that extra 1-2" when riding in the drops, and the bar end fixed bit extends them about about an inch anyways.
Good idea. I have Silver shifters and predictable bruises where they spear my legs
etherhuffer is offline  
Old 08-29-20, 07:28 AM
  #18  
Cougrrcj
Senior Member
 
Cougrrcj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 3,891

Bikes: A few...

Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 620 Post(s)
Liked 370 Times in 256 Posts
Originally Posted by gugie
Here's a trick: if you're knees tend to hit the bar end shifters when you stand and climb, cut the bars down a bit. I've never ridden drop bars where I needed that extra 1-2" when riding in the drops, and the bar end fixed bit extends them about about an inch anyways.
I guess that's why I prefer to ride a 'too large' frame - I've never hit my knees on the barcons in almost 45 years...

Cougrrcj is offline  
Old 08-29-20, 07:34 AM
  #19  
nlerner
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,127
Mentioned: 480 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3788 Post(s)
Liked 6,573 Times in 2,580 Posts
I just set a bike up with a Deerhead RD, 8-speed cassette, and 8-speed Shimano bar-ends in friction mode. They shift like buttah'.
nlerner is offline  
Old 08-29-20, 07:52 AM
  #20  
rosefarts
With a mighty wind
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,554
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1072 Post(s)
Liked 841 Times in 475 Posts
Originally Posted by gugie
Here's a trick: if you're knees tend to hit the bar end shifters when you stand and climb, cut the bars down a bit. I've never ridden drop bars where I needed that extra 1-2" when riding in the drops, and the bar end fixed bit extends them about about an inch anyways.
My bar end bike is a pretty aggressive gravel type thing. I'll occasionally hit my knee on slow and technical rutted stuff. This is a great idea. I might try it.
rosefarts is offline  
Old 08-29-20, 08:11 AM
  #21  
bikemig 
Senior Member
 
bikemig's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,505

Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones

Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5877 Post(s)
Liked 3,445 Times in 2,066 Posts
Originally Posted by randyjawa
The only bar end shifter I have used are the tried and true Suntour Power shifters, Suntour Accushift shifters, Simplex bar ends and, of course, Campagnolo.

No other Barcon (bar end shifter) has impressed me as much as the Suntour Accusshift. Because the system works so good on my Jamaica Bianchi, I bought a second used set (from a forum member and thanks) to install on my Rocky Mountain...
I"m curious do you run these on index or friction? Do they even have a friction option? I'm curious as I find that with suntour indexing, sometimes it works great and sometimes it doesn't.
bikemig is offline  
Old 08-29-20, 10:04 AM
  #22  
Steel Charlie
Senior Member
 
Steel Charlie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 901
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 353 Post(s)
Liked 489 Times in 261 Posts
I've tried barcons a few times over the years, doubles triples solos tandems, and have always thot that sux goat balls. But my brother likes them - go figger. I have considered stem shifters a couple times in recent years but downtube shifters still make it for me in my late 70's.
JMO of course
Steel Charlie is offline  
Old 09-22-20, 10:29 AM
  #23  
Gaff
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Georgia
Posts: 40

Bikes: Chiorda, Gitane, Trek 420, Trek 410, Trek 920, Trek 1100, Miyata One Thousand, Bridgestone XO-4

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Liked 19 Times in 8 Posts
I want to thank everyone for their input. I installed the Suntour bar ends. Never road with anything like them before and though it took a little getting used to, I like how they feel and work. Now to get some riding in.

Thanks again.
Gaff is offline  
Likes For Gaff:
Old 09-22-20, 11:41 AM
  #24  
due ruote 
Senior Member
 
due ruote's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,707
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 903 Post(s)
Liked 524 Times in 318 Posts
Originally Posted by bikemig
I"m curious do you run these on index or friction? Do they even have a friction option? I'm curious as I find that with suntour indexing, sometimes it works great and sometimes it doesn't.
The Accushift we have on our tandem (7 sp) are index or friction. They are working great right now in index mode with a Suntour fw. With other freewheels they worked less well, but of course in friction mode they were fine.
due ruote is offline  
Old 09-22-20, 12:14 PM
  #25  
randyjawa 
Senior Member
 
randyjawa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Posts: 11,672

Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma

Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1370 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,743 Times in 934 Posts
I"m curious do you run these on index or friction? Do they even have a friction option? I'm curious as I find that with suntour indexing, sometimes it works great and sometimes it doesn't.
I always run the shifters in indexed position and love the precision of the shifts. The non-drive side is friction only.
__________________
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
randyjawa is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.