Classic & Vintage - can I do this? index to barcon shifters

I want to put moustache bars on an old MTB that I ride. It had the stock Shimano sis index thumbshifters. This will look ugly with the M bars, so I am wondering if there is a way to rig them into barcons, either using the widget that was posted in this forum that plugs into your bar ends, and takes friction levers, ( thereby effectively moving your stem mounted shifters) or through some other hopfully inexpensive method.

Real barcons themselves are not overly expensive on eBay.

This seller (http://cgi.ebay.com/Suntour-bar-con-shifters-NOS-Touring-Retrofriction_W0QQitemZ290087979618QQihZ019QQcategoryZ36140QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) has a seemingly unending supply of the Suntour ratcheting barcons, including NOS housing and stops. I waited through maybe 10 auctions before I scored one for $35.00 shipped. However, they ship USPS bulk from Mexico City, so it may take a couple weeks. Mine took over 3 weeks, but that spanned the winter holidays and a supposed shipping glitch on the seller's end.

I guess my question is; is the indexing in the thumbshifter? I'll happily go friction shifting, but will all of this work with my current derraileur?

I guess my question is; is the indexing in the thumbshifter? I'll happily go friction shifting, but will all of this work with my current derraileur?

Yep, the indexing is in the shifter. Your rear derailleur will work with friction. My understanding is that the ratcheting Suntour barcons are the closest thing to indexed shifting, because the ratcheting action helps to prevent overshifting. Have yet to try them myself.

There are also these mounts (http://www.paulcomp.com/) available from Paul Components, but I don't think the thumbshifters you have would be compatible. They're also much more expensive than most bar ends shifters.

My understanding is that the ratcheting Suntour barcons are the closest thing to indexed shifting, because the ratcheting action helps to prevent overshifting. Have yet to try them myself.

Nope, that's not how they work. The ratchet works in the direction that is against the derailleur springs and they are pure friction in the direction that works with the derailleur springs. The upshot is that the force required to move the levers is nearly the same in both directions as opposed to pure friction levers that require a lot more lever force to compress the springs than to relax them. The "ratchet" is so fine that it has no "indexing" function at all.

Nope, that's not how they work. The ratchet works in the direction that is against the derailleur springs and they are pure friction in the direction that works with the derailleur springs. The upshot is that the force required to move the levers is nearly the same in both directions as opposed to pure friction levers that require a lot more lever force to compress the springs than to relax them. The "ratchet" is so fine that it has no "indexing" function at all.

Well, shucks, what's so great about that? I might as well return them! I'm sure it is an advantage over other friction shifting systems, but I've mainly used indexed systems. So the ratcheting is simply to prevent the mechanism that eases shifting against the derailleur spring from slipping into a higher gear?

The thing about friction barcons is that they are so easy to use. Mine are the Rivendell ratcheting shifters and I absolutely love them They are as easy to use as STI's but much cheaper and easy to maintain. I like the looks of them too.

Well, shucks, what's so great about that?

I spent the afternoon rehabing a REAL old school Huret system and came away loving the 'newer' ratchet shifters by comparsion. They are indeed pretty great.
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This seller (http://cgi.ebay.com/Suntour-bar-con-shifters-NOS-Touring-Retrofriction_W0QQitemZ290087979618QQihZ019QQcategoryZ36140QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) has a seemingly unending supply of the Suntour ratcheting barcons, including NOS housing and stops. I waited through maybe 10 auctions before I scored one for $35.00 shipped. However, they ship USPS bulk from Mexico City, so it may take a couple weeks. Mine took over 3 weeks, but that spanned the winter holidays and a supposed shipping glitch on the seller's end.

I have purchased from him with no problems. I wonder how many he has left?

This seller (http://cgi.ebay.com/Suntour-bar-con-shifters-NOS-Touring-Retrofriction_W0QQitemZ290087979618QQihZ019QQcategoryZ36140QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) has a seemingly unending supply of the Suntour ratcheting barcons, including NOS housing and stops. I waited through maybe 10 auctions before I scored one for $35.00 shipped. However, they ship USPS bulk from Mexico City, so it may take a couple weeks. Mine took over 3 weeks, but that spanned the winter holidays and a supposed shipping glitch on the seller's end.
I have purchased from him with no problems. I wonder how many he has left?I've bought several sets from him. I have an unfounded suspicion that his never-ending supply comes straight from China...

I've bought several sets from him. I have an unfounded suspicion that his never-ending supply comes straight from China...

That's what I've been suspecting too.

Alex can upgrade your shipping to 1 week, at least he does when he thinks he screws up and forgot your shipment. Send him an email, he's a nice guy.

wow, thanks for the replies, everybody.