Punkuccino

Love my 2017 Salsa Marrakech! Everything except the shifters, that is. The bar-ends are constantly poking me in the legs when I stop on rides, causing the gears to change and leaving me bruised. I use my touring bike for daily commuting and have yet to do more than 60 miles in a single day.

I called my LBS to get estimates for changing the bar-ends to brifters, but during the discussion, realized I don't know exactly where to begin since there are many many options.

Anyone have recommendations?

zze86

Campagnolo Super Record EPS.



seriously though, how much are you looking to spend? What front/rear derailleur do you have? How many speeds?

Punkuccino

Looking to spend $100-$400. I have the standard setup of the 2017 model. Unfortunately cannot post the link.

Thanks!

blamester

You have a 9 speed cassette so you need 9 speed shifters.
That bike also comes with brifters in another version. Find out which ones they use and get them.
Be carefull though, that the deraileurs are also the same as there are compatibility issues with mtb and road derailleurs.

veganbikes

If you want a better solution: https://www.gevenalle.com/ You can get the Audax or Euraudax and reuse the bar end shift levers. I use them on my touring bike and I wouldn't dream of using anything else (unless of course an updated version with more ergonomic levers came out)

Elvo

https://www.gevenalle.com/shifters/

zze86

Ask your LBS if they know about the Shimergo setup and willing to do it.

If so, I say Pre-2015 Campagnolo Chorus 11speed shifters. Run it as a 9-speed or buy a 10s cassette and go 10s with the HubBub cable routing method.

If you want to stick with new Shimano stuff, then Shimano Sora shifters are your only option unless you want to shell out $$$ for new shifters AND derailleurs.

You don't want used Shimano shifters.

jlaw

The Gevenalle shifters are pretty slick, but I have not used them. Just be aware that the cables exit to the inside of both levers (not under the bar tape) which may interfere with some handlebar bags.

Or, have you considered switching your bars to a set that has a significant flare on the drops like the Salsa Wood Chipper or Cow Chipper - or the Velo Orange Far Bar? I have the Far Bars on two bikes and the flare gives quite a bit of clearance. These types of bars cost in the $50 - $55 range. DIY or your LBS.

Good Luck!

jimc101

This is what you have going on what you have posted - https://salsacycles.com/bikes/archiv..._dropbar_deore

Currently, with Microshift bar end levers, replacing them, your main/only real options, are Shimano Sora R3000 or Grenvalle; if you want to keep the current 9 speed, and are looking at easily available components rather then NOS/2nd hand where availability is unknown/uncertain.

Not sure when Campagnolo came into this, but with them, your looking at their low-end parts and have additional incompatibility issues, that really make no sense to get involved with.

CO_Steve

I just replaced my 9 speed Shimano bar ends with Microshift brifters on my cross bike. They cost $70 and work great. A bit clunky looking including the old Flight Deck style non-hidden shift cable but for the price nothing is close.
The shifting is different than Shimano but I like it after I got used to it.

HillRider

They are indeed "slick" and I have them on 4 bikes. I've used downtube, barend and both Shimano and Campy brifters over the years and Gevenalle are, by far, the best compromise of shifter accessability, versatility, cost and durability. As noted, all you would need are the appropriate modified brake levers and you can switch your current barend shift levers to them. You will be well within your budget.

CO_Steve

Ok, I'm kind of new here and I must be missing something. The Gevenalle solution costs $149, is out of stock, retains the Microshift shifters, and is by my eye an elegant kludge vs real brifters from the same company that supplied the OEM shifter at half the price.

zze86

No, you're not missing anything.

zze86

Look up a Shimergo setup. Don't have the LBS do it if they give you this answer.

fietsbob

If the only issue is the bar end levers poking you , get wider bars ..

Or , Thumb shifter conversions, Gevenalle were spoken of.

still locked onto Brifters? get same speed count on the back.
and match brand & era of the RD.. after 9 speeds they diverged
in FD interface between Mtn & Road..

I scored a set of Nitto Dirt Drop Bars from the early MB1 bikes ..
they flare out at the drops a bit for bar end shifters ...

I still prefer bar end shifters , until I went to my Flat bar IGH bikes,











i

jlaw

Sorry, it's a proven fact, Gevenalle shifters are indeed slick.

I have Shimano brifters on two bikes and it's true that they are convenient and effective if a little vague. However, I like the positive engagement and ability to dump gears quickly that the Gevenalles offer. I have a set of 10 speed indexed (rear) DT shifters on my favorite bike and like the simple, exact 'clunk' of each shift - kind of like a Harley I once had!

Mr IGH

Since OP is going to an LBS a set of OEM-bagged Shimano brifters from Taiwan/ebay are out of the question (~$120). Looks like Shimano or Gevenalle retail for ~$200 in 9 or 10 speed. Choose yer poison but $200 plus $30~$50 labor seems harsh to me. The old shifters are worth $50 on ebay if they're not too dinged up. OP could go to 3x10 for the cost of a cassette and chain, the 9-speed derailleurs work with 4603 and 5703 brifters (but not 4703).

Interesting to hear the Gevenalles have positive detents. I have thousands of miles on Shimano 9-speed barcons and 9/10 speed brifters. I agree they are vague. It takes a little finesse. If I thought Gevenalle weren't so sloppy like Shimanos I might give them a try. Funky look but if they work....

edit: If I had $400 to spend at an LBS I'd go with STI-5703 shifters/brake levers that have the hidden shift cables and swap to a 10 speed cassette/chain.

HillRider

"Gevenalle" only supplies the modified brake levers and shifter mounting brackets. The shift levers themselves they provide are Microshift on their pre-made brifters. Otherwise you can use whatever make of downtube or barend shifter you provide yourself. I have both Microshift and Shimano levers on my bikes, all 10-speed. The Microshifts shift positively with good solid shift detents. The Shimanos are far more positive and very firm to shift. Neither is the slightest bit vague.

Mr IGH

Thanks for insight! If Gevenalles use Microshift or Shimano barcons as shifters I have all the info I need. One man's firm feel is another's mush.

OP, I wouldn't waste my time/money on Gevenalles. Just get Shimano STI and enjoy the ease of access to the shifter. Fumbling around trying to make mushy barcons shift in a non-standard position whilst riding over rough streets/terrain is gonna suck.

Punkuccino

Thank you everyone for the advice. I'm going ahead with the Shimano Sora shifters.

dedhed

What kind of brakes do you have? Is the brake cable pull of the brifters compatible?

alcjphil

Check your front derailleur. According to the link provided by Jimc101, your bike was specced with a Deore front derailleur which will not work properly with a road brifter

cpach

In addition to the Sora shifters, you'll need a road-compatible front derailleur. It won't work perfectly, but FD-R3030 will work well enough.