Bar end vs Downtube

[atreya...@gmail.com]

I am debating bar end vs down tube shifters for the upcoming homer build. I like the simplicity and aesthetics of down tube but concerned how “inconvenient “ they could be given longish geometry of rivs. For non racing and just riding for pleasure usecases does it matter .I am also considering going downtube for FD and bar end for RD. If over time I find downtube comfortable enough switch both to downtube . Would love to hear groups thoughts and experience.

[Mike Packard]

I have DT on my Homer and like it for the following reasons

- it makes me shift about 17% less often, which encourages more dynamic riding

- as a perpetual handlebar switcher it just makes it a lot easier to not have to move shifters around

- cleaner looks / less clutter up front. this is pretty minor to me but I do appreciate it sometimes

- downflipped shifters won't bonk the top tube when the bars inevitable rotate too far

Mike

Austin

[Ahmed Elgasseir]

I wholeheartedly agree with the honorable Mike Packard. I have DT shifters on my Atlantis, Hillborne and Jitensha Ebisu. 

Ahmed in San Mateo CA

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[aeroperf]

Downtube shifters have the advantage of simplicity and a shorter cable run.
However, they are most useful for road bikes with very aggressive riding position - where the seat is a good bit higher than the bars, and you can just move your hand to the downtube without bending farther.

Bar ends are a plus for more upright riding positions.
Look at it this way.  If you have to bend further to shift downtubes, whether riding drop or straight bars, then you really should be using bar ends.
Nothing says “missed shift” like having to change your riding position or (horrors) actually look for a shifter in the middle of a shift.

And… I live on a “relatively flat” bicycle trail, yet find myself shifting all the time.  With my road bike, not very aggressive position, downtube shifters, it is a pain to take one hand off the bars, bend over, and reach for the shifter.  That’s even if I’m riding the drops.  With my Sam and bar ends I just slide my hand back and use the heel of my palm, or little finger, to shift without losing my grip or bending over.
On my Homer, I used thumb shifters.  For me, not as comfortable as bar ends, but at least I didn't have to take my hand off the bars or my eyes off where I was going.

[Joe Bernard]

DT for front is great because it's an occasional reach for one or two big shifts but I've never gotten along well with it for the rear, I run my bars too high for the reach to work for me. It's probably fine if your bars are at or below saddle level. 

Joe Bernard

[rlti...@gmail.com]

Years back I bought a used Rambouillet that came to me with down tube shifters. I rode it that way for a while just to see what I thought of them after at least a decade since the last time I used them.

I can’t say they were horrible but I much prefer bar mounted shifters since they make shifting easier and safer. I do like the look and the ease of setup of down tube shifters but the ergonomics are lacking for me. I ride a 58-60 cm frame.

Robert Tilley

San Diego, CA

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 24, 2021, at 11:01 AM, atreya...@gmail.com <atreya...@gmail.com> wrote:

I am debating bar end vs down tube shifters for the upcoming homer build. I like the simplicity and aesthetics of down tube but concerned how “inconvenient “ they could be given longish geometry of rivs. For non racing and just riding for pleasure usecases does it matter .I am also considering going downtube for FD and bar end for RD. If over time I find downtube comfortable enough switch both to downtube . Would love to hear groups thoughts and experience.

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[Steven Sweedler]

After many years of riding nothing but bar end shifters, I have switched to stem mounted shifters and find them very easy and convenient. They have a simple cable run, especially if your cables run onnyour downtube. Either hand can shift either derailleur. Worth considering. Steve

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/7735868E-D895-46D3-AA59-381290C545C8%40gmail.com.

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Steven Sweedler
Plymouth, New Hampshire

[Jeffrey Arita]

This discussion is timely.  We've been using bar ends for so long now that shifting becomes instinctual.  However, I do use pretty decent sized 'U' cable housing so that shifting is smooth.  The housing/cabling can get in the way of handlebar bags, and as some have noted, it doesn't look the best although it is functional.

I just might try Steven's suggestion.  Thanks everyone,

Happy Holidays!

Jeff

Claremont, CA

[Bill Schairer]

I've been running a dt shifter up front and bar end on the rear on my Atlantis for some time now.  I've found I get better shifts up front this way for, maybe, two reasons - shorter cable run with less friction from housing and accumulated grit and much easier lever actuation.  I find pushing down on the shifter with my thumb much, much easier than pulling up the bar end.

Bill S

San Diego

[Ben Mihovk]

I like Steven's suggestion of the stem mounted shifters, too...my only concern would be running a front handlebar bag might be iffy with the cable housings exiting the mount. I was pondering a switch to drops a few months back and was considering the stem mount and Silver shifters because I didn't want to do bar ends for some reason and kept talking myself out of it because of bag interference. 

I would never tell anyone not to make a choice on set up just on looks, but for me I would not give up the convenience of bar ends for the looks of DT. The juice ain't worth the squeeze. I'm tall, ride upright (the flats of my noodle bars are level with my seat), and reaching the DT shifter would be inconvenient for me unless I wanted to lower the bars and set it up for more of an aggressive position,

BUT...with all that said, you'll love whatever way you go. Congrats on a new Homer! 

Ben in Omaha

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/355d0c36-abcc-4ca0-a0bf-49fa5c223ad8n%40googlegroups.com.

[KenP]

I have tried four ways.  I like thumb shifters the best on upright bars because my hands are usually on the grips and there is immediate reach.  The second choice for upright bars are the bar ends which are close at hand.  This is important because when I used down tube shifters and had to stop very quickly I have ended up in a too tall gear on startup.  When I have tried to downshift first, I have almost missed the traffic stoplight.  It's not too difficult to remove the grips to change upright bars. For the wrapped drop bars I find I prefer the stem mount solution and have learned to reach them quickly.  That has made bar swap easier and gives me room to put a bar end mirror.

[steve]

I guess I’m not the only one still using Inolights!

[atreya...@gmail.com]

Thanks so much for all the inputs . It was very helpful. I will start of with downtube for front and bar end for rear, so that I get a feel for what works  and a later point convert if need be . I am planning to route cable housing for barends outside the handle bar wrap , may be secure it using twine . I am also doing non aero brake levers ; so this should save me from re-wrapping while I settle on final configuration.

Thanks,

Deepak 

[RichS]

My experiences mirror some of the other responses here. My last shifter setup on an Atlantis also employed the dt shifter for the front and bar end for the rear. Worked very nicely using a an original Silver up front and a Shimano DuraAce for the rear. My SamH uses DuraAce bar ends front and rear (For me the DA bar ends provide a superb friction shifting experience; always reliable, no slipping).

Alternatively, my Coast and Mercian both use Silver dt shifters. I'm not tall so the reach down isn't onerous. I do like that I have to move my right hand periodically.

Aesthetically these two bikes just look right with the downtubers; functionally speaking, no problems. 

The fact that your Homer has the flexibility to experiment with shifting options is great. Go with whatever you feel at the moment is right and enjoy the ride!

Best,

Rich in ATL

On Saturday, December 25, 2021 at 10:11:48 AM UTC-5 KenP wrote:

[Garth]

I can't think of a right or wrong placement for shifters..... or shifting too soon, too late, too much or too little ((( laughing ))). I mean hey , I hop on the bike, I pedal and the bike goes, and shifting just happens along the way.... like all the rest of the scenery. If I told you a "how/why/etc." it all works I'd be assuming there even is a "how/why/etc." that could be articulated, let alone formed. I think Life is more Grand than any idea of or about Life could ever be formed by Life, about Life. This is who "We" are, after all .

[Fullylugged]

I have 2 bikes set up each way (2 Rivendell and 2 Rivendell-ish).  I prefer the DT shifters, but both are okay.  The bar ends tend to bump things while you are handling the bike from storage to the bike rack, etc and you'll be out of gear. Neither is hard to get to, once you have a feel for where they are.

[MoVelo]

Steve

At the risk of seeming to high jack this thread...............

Still using and liking the Inolights too. Have them on a couple of bikes. I suspect there are better ones out there. 

jp, NE

[Kushan]

One way to think about DT shifters is that they are above the same level (or slightly less stretch) as the top of your water bottle when it is mounted on the downtube. For a given bike set up (geometry, seat height, or stem height etc), you can simulate DT shifter experience by touching the top of your bottle. If you have non-DT shifters now, on your next ride, touch the top of your water bottle every time you are shifting gear and that might give you a "reasonable" estimate for what the change might feel like. Of course, this method doesn't account for the fact that most people with DT shifters will compensate to some degree by shifting less frequently. 

[Ben Adrian]

I love the idea of downtube shifters; simplicity, good looks, easy packing, disassembly, and repair, etc. However, as soon as I'm off road, bar-end shifters become much nicer and down tube is a giant pain.

Right now, I have downtube shifters on my Ram. However, I'm still getting my bars and stem length set up. Once I have a setup that I like, I might move my shifters. I think the plan is to just use DTs until they drive me crazy... then I'll switch ;)

Ben

[Brian McDermott]

Downtube shifters are fine, but the main drawback as others have said is the reach. Definitely great if you're frequently changing out your cockpit. 

However, you just can't beat the accessibility of bar end shifters, especially if your bike is loaded. As for front end clutter, I'm a fan of running the cables all the way up under the tape so they exit by the stem, like your brake cables.