Bar end shifters... What's the point?

[Kermit power]

I understand that bar end shifters had their place before integrated brake/shifter units hit the market, but what's the point of them these days?

New bikes that have them are very, very rare, but they do exist, and they don't tend to come cheap either, so I assume there is some sort of point to them?

[v12Legs]

They can look good, if you like retro-style bikes.
But I agree. I think brifters are one of the best bike inventions of the last 30 years.

[donfisher]

I've seen them on new 1xWhatever CX/Urban bikes, presumably to allow for a matching set of brake levers.

I've seen them on Audaxy/touring type bikes and don't really understand why they still have them.

[AyBee]

donfisher said:

I've seen them on new 1xWhatever CX/Urban bikes, presumably to allow for a matching set of brake levers.

I've seen them on Audaxy/touring type bikes and don't really understand why they still have them.

This. A mate of mine built up a CX bike into a road bike with 1x11 and cable-pull discs. To keep the shifters the same and everything cheap, he used Tektro levers and a bar end shifter. It works really well!

[WinstonWolf]

How else would I change gear?

[okgo]

Time trial bikes...

[outnumbered]

Ability to fit a bar bag without fouling STI cables is/was a reason for audaxers/tourists to use them.

[donfisher]

outnumbered said:

Ability to fit a bar bag without fouling STI cables is/was a reason for audaxers/tourists to use them.

Makes sense, thanks.

[Kermit power]

WinstonWolf said:

How else would I change gear?

I didn't mean bikes like that or TT bikes where I see the logic. It was on long distance bikes, but looks like Outnumbered is spot on.

[Barchettaman]

Less liable to break in the event of a crash.

Easy to flip to friction mode if the indexing goes off.

Audax/Randonneur bikes commonly have their drop handlebars higher so bar end shifters were within easy reach as the rider would commonly be riding in the drops anyway.

Nice things, but pointless if you have a big saddle to handlebar drop and ride on the hoods most of the time.

[JuniorD]

v12Legs said:

They can look good, if you like retro-style bikes.
But I agree. I think brifters are one of the best bike inventions of the last 30 years.

You said that word "Brifters"

[upsidedownmark]

Barchettaman said:

Easy to flip to friction mode if the indexing goes off.

Humour me - I've never figured out how you do that / can't see anything thats adjustable? Only thing I can imagine is separating the parts and possibly removing something, which would seem more time consuming than just tweaking the barrel adjuster on the rear mech.

Genuinely interested to know if it's a simple thing, mine are on a TT bike, and a no-stop solution could potentially be worth knowing.

[Dammit]

Or you can combine things:

[Dr Imran T]

okgo said:

Time trial bikes...

Indeed, commonly used on tt bikes for better aero - Allows the rider to stay in a an aero position and change gear.

[v12Legs]

JuniorD said:

v12Legs said:

They can look good, if you like retro-style bikes.
But I agree. I think brifters are one of the best bike inventions of the last 30 years.

You said that word "Brifters"

Yes, as that's what they are called.

[Barchettaman]

upsidedownmark said:

Humour me - I've never figured out how you do that / can't see anything thats adjustable? Only thing I can imagine is separating the parts and possibly removing something, which would seem more time consuming than just tweaking the barrel adjuster on the rear mech.

Genuinely interested to know if it's a simple thing, mine are on a TT bike, and a no-stop solution could potentially be worth knowing.

Most old style Shimano bar end shifters are switchable from index to friction mode.

The Shimano Dura Ace SL-BS78 10-speed bar-end shifters are friction or index.

11-speed, I dunno.

http://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/927026-how-...

[upsidedownmark]

Would appear that the BS79 ones (also 10sp), are not switchable.. which explains why I couldn't figure out how - good to know it's not due to senility

[JuniorD]

v12Legs said:

JuniorD said:

v12Legs said:

They can look good, if you like retro-style bikes.
But I agree. I think brifters are one of the best bike inventions of the last 30 years.

You said that word "Brifters"

Yes, as that's what they are called.

I wouldn't quite say they are called brifters. Ok, dorks might sometimes use that portmanteau to describe them, but they are called STI or Ergo levers.

And of course you do know I was yanking your chain in the earlier post.

[v12Legs]

JuniorD said:

v12Legs said:

JuniorD said:

v12Legs said:

They can look good, if you like retro-style bikes.
But I agree. I think brifters are one of the best bike inventions of the last 30 years.

You said that word "Brifters"

Yes, as that's what they are called.

I wouldn't quite say they are called brifters. Ok, dorks might sometimes use that portmanteau to describe them, but they are called STI or Ergo levers.

And of course you do know I was yanking your chain in the earlier post.

Of course I know!

STI are the Shimano brand name, so if you call them that, it's the same as calling all vacuum cleaners Hoovers. Yes, we all know what you mean, but it's still incorrect!
Likewise Ergo levers are what Campagnolo brand them as.

How about "integrated shifter brake levers"? Is that OK?

[JuniorD]

v12Legs said:

JuniorD said:

v12Legs said:

JuniorD said:

v12Legs said:

They can look good, if you like retro-style bikes.
But I agree. I think brifters are one of the best bike inventions of the last 30 years.

You said that word "Brifters"

Yes, as that's what they are called.

I wouldn't quite say they are called brifters. Ok, dorks might sometimes use that portmanteau to describe them, but they are called STI or Ergo levers.

And of course you do know I was yanking your chain in the earlier post.

Of course I know!

STI are the Shimano brand name, so if you call them that, it's the same as calling all vacuum cleaners Hoovers. Yes, we all know what you mean, but it's still incorrect!
Likewise Ergo levers are what Campagnolo brand them as.

How about "integrated shifter brake levers"? Is that OK?

perfect, or "Isblers" for short