Are bar end shifters any 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.

Are bar end shifters indexed?

What are bar end shifters? 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.

Are bar-end shifters hard to use?

The clean design and straightforward engineering of bar-end shifters make them less intimidating to service. Meanwhile, the modern shift + brake combos are often too complicated for mechanics who don’t have extensive knowledge on the subject. Also, it’s hard to find replacement parts.

Can I use any derailleur with friction shifters?

Wide range of compatibility They only move your derailleur exactly as much as you push the shifter, not telling you when the derailleur is in the right spot. Since there are no pre-set “clicks” or set amount of distance for the derailleur to move, it also means friction shifters are compatible with any amount of gears.

What does sti mean in cycling?

Dual Control or Shimano Total Integration (STI) is Shimano’s name for the integrated brake and gear shifter lever. The Shimano shifter system works by moving the whole brake lever to change gear in one direction, and using a smaller integrated lever inside the main brake lever to change in the other direction.

What does sti mean in biking?

When Shimano launched its STI (Shimano Total Integration) system, it did much more than just relocate and streamline the gear levers — it completely changed how people rode and raced bikes.

What is STI in bike?

What are bar-end shifters?

The bar-end shifters are installed on the aero bars and allow the rider to shift with minimal effort when riding in the aero position. Bar-end shifters are also superior when mounted on bull-horn bars because the rider can easily operate both the brakes and the shifters without moving their hands away from the bars. The Cons of Bar-end Shifters 1.

What are the benefits of using friction shifters?

– Using friction shifters will dramatically reduce the chance of shifter failure on a bike tour. It is simple and easy to change gears and also just as simple and easy to tune. Lightweight to boot. – My favourite downtube/barend shifters are Shimano Dura-Ace.

What are the downsides of a downtube shifter?

The number one downfall of downtube shifters is that the rider has to move their hand away from the handlebars to shift. As a result, it’s not possible to shift while braking, and every shift reduces stability because the rider isn’t holding the handlebars with both hands.

What happens if you don’t have a gear shifter?

Without a working gear shifter you are often left with just one gear (and often a gear that is not very useful). 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.