Commuting - Bar end shifters on a commuter

I will be replacing the current commuter (MTB with slicks and a flat bar) with a cyclo-cross or touring cycle in the springtime. I am looking at four different bikes:

Bianchi San Remo (sport touring)
Bianchi Volpe (utility tourer)
Gunnar Crosshair (cyclocross)
Surley Crosscheck (cyclocross)

Among the other differences between these bikes, the two Bianchi's have STI/Campy style integrated shift/brake levers. The other two have bar end shifters and dedicated brake levers. All have drop bars.

Since I have never used bar end or integrated shift levers, I would like to hear the opinions of those who have used both for commuting.

I tend to vary my cadence instead of varying gears to change speed and I would probably spend most of my time with my hands on the flats instead of in the drops or over the brake hoods.

My question is: Are bar end versus integrated shift levers an important enough difference to differentiate these bikes or should I pay more attention to some of the other differences ?

regards
Dan

I've used a Trek 520 with bar-end shifters since May. I used a combo of bikes prior to that with all variety of shifters.

I like the bar-end shifters mostly because they allow you to rapidly shift, up or down. For commuting, this allows you to handle stop lights easily. (I have a ton of lights on my route.)

They apparently withstand abuse better than other shifters though I don't have enough time/miles on the 520 yet to verify that claim.

I think, overall, other features are more important.

You really should set the bike up so the brake hoods are your normal position. If you like your current flat bar setup, ensure that the hoods are in an equiv position to your current grips. Change the bar position, not your style.
From the hoods, STI/Ergo-levers are very quick and convenient, you can change going round corners and as you brake.
Bar ends are still viable, and in the long run are more reliable and fixable, but that is more important to long-distance tourists. They do permit the use DiaComp of long-pull brake levers which work much better with cantelever brakes.

Take care with the tyre/fender clearance. This depends what tyre you prefer, and if you ride in the snow.
Note the heel clearance if using panniers, and threaded eyelets for these attatchments.

I agree that bar-end shifters are more bulletproof, and more easily field-serviceable. And if you would have to move your hands to shift anyway, you can just as easly move them to the bar-ends as to brifters. So given those conditions, and a choice, I'd go with the bar-ends.

You'll want to check the geometry and fit of the actual bike to make sure you won't be banging the shifters with your knees when you stand. This can be dealt with easily enough (cut the ends of the bars shorter, for example) but you should check.

Personally, I ride mostly on the hoods anyway, and I really like STI shifters, and have them on both of my bikes, which are mostly used for commuting. Despite the 50+ traffic controls on my commute route, I don't have an issue with needing to suddenly downshift more than the three cogs at a time that an Ultegra shifter can do, and I really like being able to get into a position where I can either brake or shift (or even do both at the same time) with no notice.

There are advantages and drawbacks to both systems, but I don't see a serious downside to either approach for a commuting bike, really.

RichC

I have lots of experience with downtube and barend shifters, and used STI once or twice only.


Bar-enb shifters vs knees

I don't have any problems with these, but I never stand on my pedals. New drop bars tend to be much wider than they were 20 years ago, so basically my knees are inside the drops.


Where to ride?

Another option I like: my bars are fairly high -- level with the saddle -- and I ride on the drops. I find the hand position much better for my wrists (akin to riding on barends), and it gives me more handling control of the bike, especially when it's windy or when I travel fully loaded.

Regards,

I find STIs to be useless when it is cold enough that I need to wear thick gloves/mitts.

Originally posted by DanFromDetroit
Since I have never used bar end or integrated shift levers, I would like to hear the opinions of those who have used both for commuting.
Actually, I haven't used bar-end shifters. But let me put in my half-penny.

My bike came with STI shifters, integrated with the brake levers. Wow! Pop, pop, pop! These babies were fast and accurate. But...

I found them a pain to adjust. Also, I replaced more broken cables than I cared to. And every time I put in a new cable, my triple chainring made it extremely difficult to adjust precisely. What a headache!

When the STI's gave out on me (at the bottom of a tall hill with almost 10 miles to go on the way to work,) I had no money to replace them. So I got the brilliant idea of buying an old Schwinn Super Sport from the thrift shop for $15 and swapping the friction shifters to my TREK.

I had to get used to them all over again, since I had to know exactly how far to move the lever each time, but I'm so happy now! They are gentle on cables, since they don't "jerk" them when shifting. And adjusting them is as quick as 1-2-3, since any
error in tension is corrected by moving the lever a bit.

I doubt I'll ever get those fancy shmancy do-dads ever again.

I have STIs on ol' Blue, my '89 Paramount, and with over 5 k miles on her, never any trouble. I replace at least the right shifter cable/housing at each tuneup. I've commuted with her in temps from 18 to 105 degrees, so I've found them to be pretty reliable.

My newest Paramount, a '76 model I call Liberty, has bar end shifters, and I really like them. My bars are level with my saddle, and while this bike just does not feel as fast as ol' Blue, she does a pretty fair job! The setup is very comfortable, and makes a fine commuter.

On any future bike that I have, if I can't have STIs, I would have bar ends without hesitation!

I have bar-end shifters on my bike. I once had STIs. STIs are nice, but pricey and require more maintenance. In addition, I agree with the STIs being harder to use with gloves on.

I love my bar-end shifters. I have Dura-Ace 9sp shifters. They do shift up and down quickly. They're more durable than STIs. I've never thought twice about reverting back to STI.

In addition, I use to have a cross-check. Great bike for the money. I only got rid of it because Surly came out with the Pacer, so I stripped most of the parts off my CrossCheck and put them on the Pacer. Not the lightest bike in the world, but it will definitely take the abuse of the road.

Good luck in your purchase.:D

Thanks for all the replies. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to answer.

After reading all of this, I am more inclined to go with the bar end shifters because I will be wearing heavy gloves some of the time (I hadn't even thought of that), and the more simple design. I think that properly adjusted STI levers might "work" better, but the simplicity of the bar end shifters appeals to me.


regards
Dan

Can you get bar-ends to work with the new FlightDeck dodad?

Originally posted by Bumbaclat
Can you get bar-ends to work with the new FlightDeck dodad?


No. The FlightDeck computer only works with FlightDeck-compatible STI levers. There is also an equivalent system for Ergo fans.

However, with bar-end shifters and downtube shifters, one is able to estimate one's gearing by looking at the shift lever, whereas STI levers don't give any clue. One could always look back at cogs, but try to do that in the dark...

Regards,