Are bar-end shifters good?

When compared with integrated brake/shift levers they are inexpensive, simple and reliable; all prized traits in touring gear. For my money, they’re the flat-out best shifter for a drop-bar touring bike. Surly gets that. You’ll get it too once you try them.

Why do touring bikes have bar-end shifters?

2. Bar-ends have a friction option. By switching the rear shifter out of index and into friction, it’ll work on cassettes or freewheels with any number of cogs. So, if you trash your rear wheel and have to buy an old one with a 6-speed freewheel at a flea market in Murdo, SD, you’ll still be able to ride.

What is bar-end shifter?

A bar-end shifter is exactly what it sounds like: a gear-changing lever installed at the end of the handlebar. There are different styles. Some are longer, others are shorter. Some are friction, others are indexed.

Are bar end shifters friction?

Bar-end shifters are the most versatile of handlebar-mounted shift options for use with drop handlebars. Modern ones are indexed for the rear derailer, but use friction shifting for the front. As a result, they are compatible with all front derailers and all chainrings.

How does a grip shift work?

When you’re just riding along, your hand rests on the grip with the inside of your hand naturally holding the Grip Shifter, which you twist backward and forward to shift. When you feel like it’s too hard to pedal and want to shift into an easier gear, you twist the shifter back.

Are friction shifters good?

Brands making friction shifters: You can always find a used friction shifter since they used to be very common, and usually they should be in good condition since they are generally well made and durable.

What is a friction shifter?

A friction shifter (often referred to as downtube or barend shifter) is a lever that moves up and down, pulling a gear cable and in effect changing your gears. There is nothing complex about friction shifters.

Are friction shifters better?

Friction shifting puts you in control, and many riders find it to be ultimately more satisfying. It will never, ever, be as popular as indexing, in the same way that stick-shift cars or manual camera will never be as popular as automatics and point-and-shoot digitals.

Can I use any derailleur with friction shifters?

If you have a friction shifter, you can pull any amount you want, so you’ll always be able to get the right derailer position for a given gear (of course, given your shifter covers the required range), and in this case you could use any suitable derailer.

When to use bar end or downtube shifters?

Use Bar-End or Downtube Shifters for Bike Touring. A gear shifter is a component used to control the gearing mechanisms and select the desired gear ratio. In terms of reliability, the gear shifter is another essential part on a touring bicycle.

Can a Shimano bar end shifter be replaced?

While they may be easier to take apart (I would never dare disassemble a fully-functional STI lever) and have fewer parts, Shimano does not offer replacements for the internal components. If something breaks inside your bar-end shifter, you’ll have to replace the whole unit, same as the STI.

Why are surly specs bar end shifters instead of integrated brake levers?

We are often asked why Surly specs bar-end shifters rather than integrated brake/shift levers on the Long Haul Trucker, Disc Trucker and Cross-Check. This is a good question and one we thought warranted some explanation. Disc Trucker with bar-end shifters.

How much does a Dura Ace bar end shifters cost?

If you want the top-of-the-line Dura-Ace units you’re looking at at whopping $700! You could buy a nice new frame with money to spare or even a complete entry-level bike for that price! In contrast, a pair of Dura-Ace bar-end shifters (probably the finest indexing bar-end shifters on the market) will set you back about $120.