Bicycle Mechanics - Bar end shifters- is there a left and right?

I'm thinking of replacing my rear downtube shifter with a bar end shifter. I don't use the front shifter as often, so don't want to replace that (nor do I care about an asymmetric look!).

So my question is this: Are left and right bar end shifters interchangable if I'm only using friction shifting?

I'm thinking of replacing my rear downtube shifter with a bar end shifter. I don't use the front shifter as often, so don't want to replace that (nor do I care about an asymmetric look!).

So my question is this: Are left and right bar end shifters interchangable if I'm only using friction shifting?
I have one set of indexed SunTour bar-end shifters. There's obviously a right and a left... I also have a pair of friction only bar-end shifters. They're identical as far as I can tell... I spent a great deal of time puzzling over this when I got them. It doesn't make any difference which goes where.

Hooray for asymmetry :). Even Lance does it, with a downtube front shifter and an STI rear shifter on the mountain stages of the Tour de France.

So my question is this: Are left and right bar end shifters interchangable if I'm only using friction shifting?Yes.
Only difference you may notice is ergonomics if using left (front) shifter on the right side, for instance, on some of the late barcons.

I'm thinking of replacing my rear downtube shifter with a bar end shifter. I don't use the front shifter as often, so don't want to replace that (nor do I care about an asymmetric look!).

So my question is this: Are left and right bar end shifters interchangable if I'm only using friction shifting?
What an absolutely insane question, where's Sydney when you need him!

I'm thinking of replacing my rear downtube shifter with a bar end shifter. I don't use the front shifter as often, so don't want to replace that (nor do I care about an asymmetric look!).

So my question is this: Are left and right bar end shifters interchangable if I'm only using friction shifting?
What an absolutely insane question, where's Sydney when you need him!

What an absolutely insane question, where's Sydney when you need him!

not really, most of the friction only ones are identical for front or rear.