Are bar-end shifters any good?

Are bar-end shifters any good?

There is no doubt that bar-end shifters’ simple design makes them more durable than the combo shifters, but the truth is that modern shifters are super studied and reliable too. A set of high-quality integrated brake-shifters will last a long time and can survive some serious falls.

Why do touring bikes use 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.

Are bar-end shifters friction?

These are gear shifters that sit at the end of your bars, whether that’s drop or straight bars. They have levers that you click one way to shift up and one way to shift down, so are also indexed. Each hand controls a different derailleur. These can be transformed into friction shifters if the indexing fails.

Why are road bike shifters so expensive?

The greater the desire for a product, the more it can cost because the customer will be willing to cover the bill. The same applies to road shifters. Brake-shifters are a niche product found solely on intermediate and high-end road and touring bikes.

What are the different types of gear shifters on bikes?

Shifters 101

• Trigger (AKA thumb) shifters.
• Twist-grip shifters.
• Downtube shifters.
• Bar-end shifters.
• Integrated shifters.
• Electronic shifters.

Do friction shifters click?

Friction shifters don’t have ratchets but move linearly without clicking. In the two systems, a rider uses levers to regulate tension in the derailleur cable, and then the cable pulls the derailleur to shift gears.

How do bar-end shifters work?

Conversely, bar-end shifters use only two levers – one for each derailleur – that are completely separate from the brake levers. Pull it towards you to shift one way, push away from you for the other. The lever even stays in place to remind you what gear you’re in. Easy for new riders to learn, refreshingly simple for the experienced.

Do bar end shifters fail or wear out?

Much like the integrated shifters, the guts of the bar end shifters are installed at the factory and aren’t meant to be taken apart for service. Unlike the STI units though, bar end shifters rarely fail or wear out. Here we can see why.

What are the pros and cons of integrated shifters?

The lever even stays in place to remind you what gear you’re in. Easy for new riders to learn, refreshingly simple for the experienced. The other main drawback of integrated shifters is their complexity and lack of serviceability.

Can I use a friction shifter on my handlebar?

The friction shifter isn’t just limited to use on road or drop handlebars. As a user of a flat, trekking or moustache handlebar, you are able to use the Paul Thumbie adapters to run a downtube shifter on your handlebar!