Riv-ersed Shift Levers Install

[christian poppell]

Hi Gang,

I've got the Microshift 9speed thumb shifters on Albatross bars installed the normal way (outside, top). I'm looking for info on setting them up on the inside like this: http://lovelybike.blogspot.com/2016/06/brifter-bliss-for-swept-back-handlebars.html

Is it just a matter of moving the left to the right and vise versa? I recall some modification needing to be done to the Sunrace shift body, is it the same with the Microshift?

These are the levers I've got: https://www.rivbike.com/products/microshift-thumb-shifters-9-speed-sl-t09

Thanks in advance!

Christian

Berkeley, CA

[Joe Bernard]

No mods needed with these, you just lose the index option on the formerly-right-rear shifter that's now your left front. The nifty thing about this setup is the normally-left-front has a nice ratcheting action like Silvers, which is great for rear shifting. Don't forget to swap the brake levers, too, so the jutting-out part is still opposite of the shifters. 

[Ben Mihovk]

I have the same shifters on my Atlantis set up "Riv-ersed" by Rivendell and I freaking love it.

One thing I'd add...there's nothing in the rule book that says you can't shift your rear derailer with you left hand. If you wanted to use the indexing function of your current right shifter, you absolutely can. I bought a single Sunrace right shifter to Riv-up a non-Riv last summer and realized after I received it that I had to put it on the left side to get it "inboard" style. The bike was a 1x so it was not an issue...I had a new shifter cable ready to go, ran it from the left side, and never had a problem with it. 

In fact...I ALMOST asked Riv to run the left shifter to the rear derailer and right to front when I ordered it, but I didn't want to seem like a weirdo. :) 

[Justin Kennedy (Brooklyn, NY)]

Depending on what brake levers you have, you may not have to reverse them, too. My Paul and Shimano short pull levers don't jut out but my Sunrace linear pulls do so they kinda get in the way with the Riv-erse shifter set up. However I was able to scooch the shifters up the bar enough to clear the jut. 

[Paul Clifton]

I'm glad Joe mentioned this, because I've been trying to solve this exact problem. The Avid SD-7 levers (which are my favorites) interfere with Riv-versed shifters no matter how they are swapped around, because the bolt part of the clamp always points to the inside of the handlebar.

It's good to know that I can dig around in my parts bin and find some levers that don't get in the way of the shifter.

so basically - don't use Avid SD-7 brake levers if you're running Riv-versed thumbies.

Paul in AR

[christian poppell]

Thanks for all the tips everyone. I took care of the swap Friday evening. I figured while adding the drag brake barcon I might as well switch everything around. 

The Sunrace levers had to be reversed as well. I tried to just reverse the shifters but the clamp (like everyone said :) ) just got in the way of the shift lever. Previously we had a gap between the brake lever and shifter but with everything swapped, there wasn’t enough room between the shift lever and the grip. Now the shifter, brake, and grip are stacked together. I could see the Billy bar being a good solution as they have a longer, straighter grip section. The Riv-ersed setup does interfere with the grip section near the brake lever. We will see how it goes.  

Also, the drag brake is great! Makes the tandem much more stable when propping against a wall. Hopefully we can get a ride in today with some good hills to really test it out. 

Here’s some photos after the install. Sorry if they’re huge, I’m posting from my phone. Thanks everyone for all the suggestions and advice!

 

Christian

Berkeley, CA

On Mar 5, 2021, at 09:45, Paul Clifton <paulgc...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Scott Marriott]

I have the (formerly front) Microshift shifter reversed on my MB-1. The problem I've run into is that it doesn't quite clear the grip perfectly (I'm using the Rustine's rubber grips because I'm quite vain.)  The is a small window where the rubber from the grip and the rubber from the shifter rub.  I probably need to move the shifter, but there's really no more forward space on the handlebars. (The older VO Porteur version.)

Still the complete friction shifting is pretty easy to figure out. 

S

Scott M

Chicago (Hyde Park)

On Friday, March 5, 2021 at 8:18:15 AM UTC-6 Justin Kennedy (Brooklyn, NY) wrote:

[EricP]

Did similar on the Clem last year. Had a Paul Thumbie for the front and an extra Shimano bar end. Ended up having to buy a SunRace rear thumbie for the front. 

What I find amazing is we used to do this back in the day. Maybe early 1990's? Some racers started doing this with the SunTour SC shifters. Then others realized the big Shimano XT also worked, but they weren't as good as the Dia Compe. FWIW, I remember being told once that this trend is what lead to the paddle shifter idea in the first place. Not sure if it's true (probably not). But it makes for a good story.

Did have my brake levers reversed at one point, but switched back quickly. Didn't like the feel that way. 

(FWIW, got my first outdoor ride today in the 55 degree weather.)

Eric Platt

St. Paul, MN