Touring - alternative way of mounting barcons

I just assembled a LHT for loaded touring and in the process knew that i would be using bar end shifters (barcons). i did not like the idea of having them mounted in the ends of traditional road drops (because of sloppy housing loops, limited use of this hand position, succeptability to damage) and did not want the cost and bar crowding of PAUL's thumbies adapters. I quickly found a new way to mount the barcons in a much more convenient place that i could reach from the tops, flats and hoods, were safe from crashes/drops and had much shorter and smoother (and therefore better shifting) cable housings. Additionally i get a great spot to mount my light when commuting or bar bag when touring.
How did i accomplish this?? With the addition of a second, long stem below my main stem.
Let me explain (and sorry, i have no access to a digital camera so no photos):
my uncut 1 1/8 steerer tube is in a two stem set up with a 150mm -5 degree rise stem (control tech mountain stem from parts bin) in the bottom position, them a 5mm spacer then a 120mm 10 degree rise stem (cannondale road stem) capping it off. [this particular set up was actually discovered by luck as i had no spacers at the time i was anxiously assembling my new ride and used the long stem]
ok, still with me??
My primary handlebar is Nitto noodle mod177 brop bar at 44cm. This bar is mounted to the upper cannondale stem as any normal road bar would be. then, and here is the trick; i mounted an old straight bar to the lower controltech stem and cut it down to approximately 10 inches with a hacksaw. So now i had two stems with a drop bar located above and 30mm behind a 10" bar.
At this point, i simply mounted the barcons in the barends of the cut down 10" bar and instaled the cables. i have it set so the shift levers operate up and down, perpendicular to the ground. The cable runs are beautiful. I hope this makes sense.
To get an idea of where my shifters are, put your hands on the hoods of your bar, now extend your middle finger untill it is parallel with the tops of your bar. The tip of your middle finger is where my shift levers are located. (or just put your hands on the tops and reach with your finger toward your front hub. my levers are where your ring fingernail is)
You can adjust this position by using a shorter or longer bar on the second stem (even crappy aluminum tubing could be used instead of a cut bar), using shorter/longer/steeper shallower stems. An adjustable stem might be ideal.
Plus!! you get about 8 inches of extra bar space to keep you main bar clutter free. Mounting a bar bag here is great. Add barends to the auxilliary handlebar and you have a pseudo aerobar set up. Many cool possibilities.
Some may find this ugly. who cares?
Let me know if you understand.
Let me know if you try this method successfully or if it seems like a lot of work for a little return. For me it is ideal.


-A cut down mountain bar's diameter may not be wide enough to accept barcons. just a warning.

I saw a picture of a bike with two handlebars. Even today I was thinking if I ever get a new fork of not cutting the stem and giving me so many options. Using the second bar for light, computer, now barcons! I can see it right now in my minds eye......

Clever set up....:) And I understand you don't have access to a digicam, BUT:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/jojisan/worthlesswopics.gif

yes, and i appologized. sorry again, i will work on it. hopefully all others do not find this thread useless though.

Actually, so I found out recently from one Sheldon Brown, the idea of twin stems goes back quite a few years. I thought it was a recent idea (one which I to adopted awhile back, and am using on my own LHT), but Sheldon assured me that, alas, it is a rather old idea. :eek:

PS: And, yes, I do have pix up showing the two stems in use at http://saanichbc.net/

Yes, the dual stem idea is old, but mounting barcons on them is the first I've heard done...:)

Why not try downtube shifters?

Yes you have picture but they are very slow to load...
Just kidding it's my dial-up.

If you are headed in that direction why not use standard grip shifters?

what a great idea. that's really resourceful of you ITHACA to think of that mounting scheme.

i may try that some day. i have several odd stems and bars (doesn't evereyone?). thanks for the tip.

i've tried downtube shifters and think they are great, just not for me. My major beefs with them: it's not as safe to use them, no matter how "good" you are; i prefer shifting with 2 hands on the bike. and i hated the fact that every time i reached down to shift, the nose of my B17 put pressure on my soft tissue. but i love their simplicity!! (for this reason i have also mounted a waterbottle cage in a very easily reached place; very high on the down tube (plus this gives me 4 waterbottle cages! nerd/sweet))

Secondly, grip shfters could be used here, but they are, in my limeted experience, apt to have shifting problems with shimano derraileurs, they are harder to service on the road and most do not have an indexing option for the rear derraileur. additionally, they would not be as convenient to use as my current set up.
Plus the lever position gives a good visual indicator of your current gear. price is about even.
thanks for the responses!

Yes, the dual stem idea is old, but mounting barcons on them is the first I've heard done...:)

Really. Not me. I've seen it done before, and have considered doing it myself. Hmmm.... I wonder.... :rolleyes:

Yes you have picture but they are very slow to load...
Just kidding it's my dial-up. If you are headed in that direction why not use standard grip shifters?

Because barcons are of a very simple design, and very less likely to break when on the road. Mounted on a set of Pauls Thumbies mounts, and they are perfect.

Actually, so I found out recently from one Sheldon Brown, the idea of twin stems goes back quite a few years. I thought it was a recent idea (one which I to adopted awhile back, and am using on my own LHT), but Sheldon assured me that, alas, it is a rather old idea. :eek:

PS: And, yes, I do have pix up showing the two stems in use at http://saanichbc.net/

Awesome looking bike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!