Fixing Trigger Shifters on Bull Horn Bars | Actually the other way around

[Vinay Rao]

Just thought I'd put this out there. 

I spent a little time mounting a Bullhorn on my UT 2.1, the cycle I use most for commute. I did not want to invest - mostly time, also money - in sourcing and buying new shifters, if they were available at all. So I mounted the stock/legacy integrated brake lever and trigger-thumb shifters, as is. 

Since the OD of the bullhorn handlebar was slightly higher (22.2 Vs 21.x mm), I had to file and sand up the ID on the levers. I'd also miscalculated the difference in cable lengths. The old length worked, but was too taut. So I had RR fit in new cables and outer tubes. 

Here's what the handlebar set up looks like (below). Not the prettiest Bullhorn out there (choice dictated by compatibility to existing shifters) but far more comfortable than I expected. And the shifters are pretty easy to reach. Since the dials face the side, I can no longer know which sprocket/ gear I'm on while I'm riding. But that isn't much of an issue for me. 

Next up, I'm looking to replace my seized front shocks with a rigid fork. I need a crown to axle length between 400-450mm (for 28"/700 wheels) to retain the current frame geometry. If anyone has an old hybrid fork they are not using, happy to consider picking it up. 

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Cheers
Vinay

[Shankar Shastry]

Good on you for reusing old parts but that cable routing will not be very favourable for either braking performance or your safety. Please inspect it every so often.

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[Pradeep Naidu]

Agree with Shankar.. its looking ugly too..
Go simple and get rid of gears altogether..

[Vinay Rao]

Thanks for the tip. Are the safety issue and braking performance you mention related i.e. the same issue? Is this because the cable is 'exposed' out front? the caliper/V mechanism works as it did before. No change there. 

I've done about 65km and the brakes work really well (also new pads). But I'll keep a look out. I was more apprehensive about how the shifting would work with the additional cable length, too less taut, etc. But that seems to be working just as well as before, too. 

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Cheers
Vinay

[Shankar Shastry]

Yes. Exposed up front and bent at weird angles. Especially during a snag or drop, the outer cables are bound to cut away.

My suggestion: Flip the brakes and shifters the other way around. The brakes in reverse will take a bit of getting used to and the gear shifters will be awkward too, but way better cable routing!