Bicycle Mechanics - Converting Downtube shifters to Barend shifters

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flats
10-11-08, 09:03 AM
I'd like to change my downtube shifters to barends. Is this relatively easy (and not too expensive)? Would it necessarily involve re-wrapping the bar tape? Thanks

operator
10-11-08, 09:14 AM
You would need to run new shifting cable & housing and you'll need to retape your bars. Complexity wise, it's simple. It just takes a bit of time to do everything properly. A bike shop will charge you probably $40-60 to do it. You'll also need to purchase cable stops that go where your downtube shifters used to go ~$10.
frankenmike
10-11-08, 09:18 AM
Most customers prefer the housing to run under the bar tape until just before the curve. That being said, I've run mine outside the bar tape with no problems. You will need to replace your downtube shifters with housing stops.

HillRider
10-11-08, 10:54 AM
Housing stops come with Shimano and Campy bar-end shifter sets. If you buy used or from e-bay and they aren included, almost any bike shop has bunches of them around as they come with every STI set and are surplus if the shifters are an upgrade.

My LBS has two boxes of the things and will sell them for nearly nothing.
ogbigbird
10-11-08, 02:27 PM
+1 to the above. find quality components for the job and good luck.