mounting sunrace shifter on stem

[Jim S.]

Hi, I was wondering if someone can direct me to a link. I don't know if I read it on the Blahg, or the Blug, but it discussed mounting the Sunrace left shifter on the stem to shift the front derailer. If anyone knows where it is and could direct me, many thanks.

[Garth]

Just your lucky day Jim !  I found it here : https://restoringvintagebicycles.com/2018/12/30/stem-mounted-shifters/

It's the IRD quill stem shifter mount. https://www.interlocracing.com/shop/product/54020-ird-shifter-mount-quill-stem-3884?search=shifter

Though other 22.2 mounts for a whole lot less are found on ebay. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2499334.m570.l1313&_nkw=Stem+Mount+Shifter++22.2&_sacat=177824

[Joe Bernard]

Jim, I'm pretty sure that was in the weekly Riv email Will writes, it was on a Will bike. It'll be a slot to look for because the shifter trick probably isn't in the title, but you might find it by searching the Rivbike address in your email. 

Or just try it! I have one of those SunRace shifters on my Susie and it looks like it would slide right on the quill stem, easy peasy. 

[Joe Bernard]

Freakin' typos. *It'll be a slog to look for. 

[Jim S.]

Thanks for the response! Yes, must have been a Will email.

I'm building up a Sam, with drop bars. I know I'll almost never shift to the small derailer as the chainrings are 38 and 24. I was trying to figure out if there's a benefit to the stem mounted front-derailer shifter and drop bars. I suppose the primary benefit is freeing up handlebar space on say, an albatross bar. I wonder if it makes sense to go this route with drop bars? Any thoughts? The novelty alone appeals to me, but novelty is not enough if it's otherwise pointless.

[David B]

Not exactly the question you asked, but if you have space in the headset area, the Riv thumb shifter can be mounted as a headset spacer, so not attached to the stem quill, but in the same general area. I did this so I can swap handlebar setups without changing shifters.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-99voyFx5D/

David

[David B]

And to add, the Sunrace thumb shifter can be mounted directly to the quill of the stem (I did this prior to the headset setup) - no need for a different shifter mount as quill stem and bar diameters are the same.

On Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 1:24:36 PM UTC-6 Jim S. wrote:

[Joe Bernard]

To me it makes sense on a drop bar if you want to get rid of one leg-poker and a long loop of cable from a shifter you hardly use. It also frees up that spot on the bat for a small mirror, I never ride without one. Move that shifter outta your way! 

[Tim Baldwin]

I don't ride drops but I'm a fan of the stem mounted front shifter. I have a thumb shifter on the right and a bell where the left shifter would go. I use the bell more than the front shifter. Joe, the bar end mirror is a great idea for the left side. Gotta have a mirror.