About to buy bike with bar end shift levers?

[mzone]

I have barends on my tourer which I also use as my commuter. I don't have a concern about letting go of the bar to shift.

One technique you can try is to hold the sweep of the bar with the thumb, index finger and web of the hand while shifting with the pinkie against the heel of the hand. It doesn't take much force to shift (and the tension can be adjusted).

[mzone]

One drawback - I have been able to stab myself just above the knee when stopping and starting at a light/sign depending on the angle of the shift lever.

[OakLeaf]

To me it comes down to being able to cover the brake while shifting. Now that I'm used to brifters on the road bike and grip shifters on the hybrid - both of which let me do that - I'm reluctant to part with that extra reaction time on the brakes.

As far as field repairability ... in my mind, shifters are in the same category as spare spokes and bottom bracket tools. Way more hard core touring than your average bear. There's a whole universe of mechanical problems that MIGHT happen, and a spectrum of preparedness vs likelihood vs everyday hassle that you have to make your own judgment about. I carry spare cables, both brake and derailleur; a chain tool and a couple of spare links; patch kit and mini-pump to back up my spare tube and CO2. Beyond that, in a worst case where I couldn't limp it home before dark, I'm never more than a mile or two out of cell phone range. Shifters just aren't something I even worry about. (And I *did* have a brifter get gummed up on a ride once, not knowing what it was, and not really having a place to get solvent any closer than home anyway. But it's still not something I worry about.)

If you're doing randonneuring or unsupported back country touring, then yeah, you're going to want straight levers not detents, i.e. downtube or bar end shifters not brifters. But for any kind of commuting, day riding, or not strictly time limited touring east of the Mississippi in the US or comparable densities elsewhere, I just don't think it's necessary.

[Veronica]

To me it comes down to being able to cover the brake while shifting. Now that I'm used to brifters on the road bike and grip shifters on the hybrid - both of which let me do that - I'm reluctant to part with that extra reaction time on the brakes.

Having used friction shifters since 2003 when I got my first road bike, I can honestly say that has never been an issue.

Veronica

[Sky King]

I was so used to bar end shifters that when I got my Gilles Berthoud last year it took awhile to get used to down tube shifter. I was still shifting with both hands instead of just my right hand.
Anyhooo, I concur with most, bar ends have a slight learning curve but pretty soon you won't even notice and you can shift with a couple finger and even the palm of your hand when you are in the drops.
no different than moving your hands to different positions on your bars.

[OakLeaf]

Having used friction shifters since 2003 when I got my first road bike, I can honestly say that has never been an issue.

Veronica

Well, having used downtube shifters from 1973 through 2006, minus a hiatus in the 90s ... it's honestly never been an "issue" for me in terms of causing a crash, but one of the many, many things that's carried over from learning to ride motorcycles is the understanding of how little room for error we ever have, and my preference at this point is for that room to be larger not smaller.

Just like clipless vs the mechanically simpler toe clips, I'm pretty sure I never crashed while trying to release a strap, but if I don't have to take my hand off the bars to get my foot out of the pedal ... you get the idea.

[Crankin]

I think Oak explains it much better than I do, although she is definitely more coordinated than me!
I used down tube shifters in the 80s and had no issues, but the feel of the bar ends was different. Plus, I'm probably the most risk averse of everyone commenting. In the end, I knew I wasn't going to be doing unsupported touring, and wanted the bike for low gears and the ability to carry a pannier and trunk bag.
I must say, my experience at Harris Cyclery, where I tried the bar ends, left a lot to be desired. I thought it was going to be a visit to a hallowed shop of cycling lore, and I found them to be condescending to my expression of concern about the bar end shifters, as well as lacking knowledge about fitting a short woman.

[Veronica]

Enjoy the ride!


Veronica