Bicycle Mechanics - Nashbar Microshift Dual Control Shift/Brake Levers

I just saw these at Nashbar:

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=24354

Any thoughts? I'm planning on getting a stock LHT soon, and would like to change out the bar ends for brifters. Do you all think this would be a good option?

D

I wouldn't buy a set until they'd been out for 5 years or so. That's about the price of Sora, and maybe even Tiagra with a deal.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=453624&highlight=

Different approach to the same question.
Still no hard data.
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im not a big fan of brifters in general. If you do get those would you be willing to do a trade for your barcons

I love my brifters. No moving hands.

Fully compatible with Shimano, priced like Tiagra, and weighs no more than Ultegra. I've been studying Microshift for a while now. They're actually fairly popular on low-spec road bikes that are marketed only in Europe. It's not innovative--Microshift was even sued by Shimano for patent infringement. I think they settled.

If I busted my 105s I would not hesitate to get on board.

Just remember your LHT is nine speed, you'll need a 10 speed chain and 10 speed cassette to go with 10 speed shifters. If you're really going to tour on your LHT, I favor the stock 9 speed setup with the barends.

Also, the stock LHT comes with nice "touring" gears, 46/36/26 up front with 11 x 34 in the rear. Nine speed 11 x 32 and 11 x 34 mtb cassettes are readily available and not very expensive, the same can't be said for 10 speed, so if you want to maintain that sort of gearing it makes more sense to stick with nine speed. Nine speed chains are more durable than ten speed also, another plus for a touring setup (and eight speed is more durable than nine speed for that matter). If you really want brifters, it would make sense to just pick up some in nine speed, I believe Tiagra is available in nine speed and would be compatible with your current setup-