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Writer's pictureGerhard Wanninger

Bar End Shifters - Why and how do I use them?

Updated: Aug 22


Bar End Shifter on Moustache Handlebar with Aero Brake Levers

Background:

For around 8 years I am using indexed Taiwan-made microSHIFT 9-speed bar-end Shifters, first on my mountain bike which I swapped together with my mustache handlebar to my current road bike. Since this time they were working reliably well with my Shimano Deore rear derailleur.

Pls. note that for shifting in the same direction (low-high) of the front and rear derailleur you need a Shimano low-normal/rapid rise derailleur.

-Without any cable tension, the rear derailleur would rest on the largest sprocket (low gear for climbing) on your cassette.

-With cable tension (shifting), the spring of the rear derailleur pushes the chain onto a smaller sprocket (high gear for speeding).


History:

These bar-end shifters have a longer history. They were available when the first multi-speed cassettes at the rear wheel emerged and were a comfortable alternative to the downtube shifters on race bikes. Some racers used Bar End Shifters during training rides and even during mountain stages. They were the standard in cycle cross and can be found on modern triathlon and time trial bikes for shifting in the forward slipstream position.

For me, they were a reliable solution for my mustache handlebar. Due to the larger diameter of the bar itself, my available mountain bike shifters would not fit. I did not want to invest in STI Shifters, in which the shifting lever/s is/are integrated into the brakes lever/s. So I bought a set of bar-end shifters and a set of common road brake levers for roughly 1/2 the price of the combined shifters/brake lever.


Montage of microSHIFT 9-speed Bar-End Shifters


- Material: A set of bar-end shifters with cables, a handlebar with an inner diameter of 19-21 mm, long Allen or hex key (4 mm) as found on multi-tools.

- Montage and Setup of bar-end shifters are a very simple and straightforward affair.

1. Separate the shifter from its body through the outer screw and the post if necessary (4 mm hex key).

2. Place the body (with the plug) into the handlebar and tighten the expansion plug with the internal screw (clockwise) until it sits tightly in the bar

3. Screw the shifter back onto the body (4 mm hex key), be aware that the 'tightness' of this screw influences the 'resistance' or ease of shifting! Push the shifter on its body downwards to its lowest point.

4. Fiddle the shifter cable through the hole of the shifter, through the hole of the shifter body and through the cable housing to the rear derailleur. Do the same with the front derailleur.

5. You're done with the shifters, the final setup like cables and adjustments should be made for the front or rear derailleur.

It might be clearer to watch the following video from microSHIFT:

Advantage:

- in my case, cheap to buy

- montage and setup is a simple matter

- virtually maintenance-free

- versatile: I could shift from the lowest to the highest gear or vice versa with one movement

of my wrist while pedaling

- reliable shifting for 10.000's of kilometers


Disadvantage

- one hand can not shift and brake simultaneously

- slightly slower shifting speed than with a combined shift/brake or STI lever

- some people might call the shifting 'awkward'.

Bar End Shifter: Placing the Palm of the Thumb on the Handlebar first and then Shift

Summery

I've used the same bar-end shifters for many, many thousands of trouble-free kilometers; through sunshine, rain, and even one typhoon. I used them without, with summer, and with winter gloves and never a single miss-shift or any other shifter-related problem. I've changed the rear cassette and chain several times but never the bar-end shifters. It's no surprise that many travel bikes come with these shifters, one less thing to worry about on your way far away from home.

They are so simple to use and such a joy that I will use them on my next project, a Mountain Bike-based Cyclocross bike with a Gavel Bike Bar.


A Word of Caution

Always ride with a helmet and in a way that you are in control of the bike, not the other way around. Ride responsible, defensively and safe! It is senseless to gain some seconds but spends weeks to recover in a hospital and/or at home! You, your body, your parents, your family and friends will surely appreciate your precautions during a bike ride.


Take care, Gerhard


I  own these shifters, and mounted and rode them for many thousands of kilometers by myself. I paid for the saddle; I am n o t endorsed by anyone. Subscribers, followers, and comments are more than welcome!

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