The truth about bar-cons

[tayphoo]

I was thinking it would be great to put indexing bar end shifters on my bike (cheap, light, durable, etc.), but then I realized something. Shimano's 9 speed bar-cons are part of the Dura Ace lineup. Doesn't this mean that they can only index with Dura Ace derailleurs? So then are all you Surly Crosscheck guys with Tiagra parts running in friction mode? Or am I just clueless (very likely so)? Not that there's anything wrong with friction, but just wondering here...

[roadfix]

Shimano's 9 speed bar-cons are part of the Dura Ace lineup. Doesn't this mean that they can only index with Dura Ace derailleurs?

Not true. The sticker which comes with the 9 speed DA barcons indicating use of only DA derailleurs is wrong. I run these DA barcons on my Surly tourer running full XT 9-speed drivetrain and indexing is perfect.
The old 8-speed DA's only indexed using DA derailleurs...

[hopperja]

I have an 05 Cross Check complete with the 9 spd bar end shifters and 9 spd tiagra rear derailleur. I use the right shifter in index mode and it works very well. The left (front) shifter does not seem to have an index mode.

[jfmckenna]

fwiw I run mine in friction so that I can use campy and shimano, makes no difference.

[cs1]

That was true only for 8 speed Dura Ace. All other Shimano 8 speed used the same pull length. Shimano changed that for 9 & 10 speed. Any 9 or 10 sp Shimano can use a shifter/brifter from any group in the line. Good luck and give those barcons a shot. I love mine.

Tim

[MATTO]

I use mine with a 105 rear derailluer no probs, also with a sram cassette + hollow pin chain with a single gear up front, my shifiting feels smoooooth. hehe I love drive train overhauls