Brifter to Bar end?

[DebW]

I think adding a bar end shifter for your front derailleur is a good solution. You may find you like it better than a brifter.

[DebSP]

Well I just called the shop where I bought the Dolce and they quoted $300 for a new pair of STI shifters in Sora which work with the 3 x 9. (Tiagras are no longer available for the 9 speed). Plus install and taxes. I asked about bar end and they said $230 plus. So if I go new, I would just go with the Soras. I also called my Surly shop and asked about bumping up to a triple on my Cross Check. He thinks he can do it for $100 to $150 depending on the bottom bracket I choose. So I could probably just get by with my Cross Check for a couple of years until I save up for a new road bike. I really love both bikes but I ride the Surly 4 days a week and the Dolce just once or twice but I go on really long rides with it. Decisions, decisions. The Surly shop also mentioned they might have something for my Dolce but he wants me to bring it in to check it out. Thank goodness both shops are in the same town. Tomorrow I am off work so I will go into town and start by letting the Dolce shop look at the shifter. Best case scenario it isn't really broken. But that crunch right before it jammed didn't sound good.

Thanks ladies for your help. I have such bad memories of being made to feel foolish when talking to a car mechanic because I wasn't as knowledgeable as he. He talked right over my head and made my questions seem silly. I just wanted to make sure when I asked my questions about the bike they were headed in the right direction. Actually the person at my Dolce shop was a young woman who said she had the same bike and she was very helpful and courteous. I really like both shops and split my business evenly between them where possible.

[ny biker]

I have such bad memories of being made to feel foolish when talking to a car mechanic because I wasn't as knowledgeable as he. He talked right over my head and made my questions seem silly.

This is the fault of the mechanic, not you. Find a different place to get your car fixed.

[DebSP]

Update:

OK, I lucked out. It ended up just needing a cable replaced. I was sure I heard and felt a crunch in that shifter and thought it was damaged. But they checked it all out and it was fine. Yes!

NY, you are right that it is his problem but it is also partly mine because I let these type of people intimidate me and then go into a shell. I am trying hard to stop shutting down when I am in situations I am not confident in. I want to be able to ask questions and learn about things but I can't with people like him. I did get a new mechanic, my husband!