Cyclocross - Gripshift on drop bars?

Hello all,

Does anyone know if I can put my old grip shift x-rays on a drop style bar?

(As you may have guessed, I am trying, like so many others to repurpose my old MTB for my first cross race. I am really looking for more hand positions, and I understand bar ends are verboten.)

Any thoughts?

I'm not sure more hand positions buy you much in a cross race -- maybe aerodynamics. I'd probably just race it as is for a while.

Somebody recently mentioned these (if you don't mind looking silly):

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21Z6e1Ed0OL._SL500_AA180_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/Origin-Bicycle-Drop-Ends-Black/dp/B0013G6PB8/)

OTOH, in CX it's nice to have brake levers where your hands will be.

As to your original question, I suspect it comes down to bar width, and for any normal bar that probably means it won't work. (Wal-Mart sells a "road" bike with grip shifters, so it can be done, but I doubt it would be easy to find the right stem and bars.)

You can get an adapter that goes onto the end of the road bars that would make this possible, but it isn't cheap. It would probably be better to go with bar-end shifters and aero brake levers.

and I understand bar ends are verboten.)

Never heard that one. Barends are cheap and virtually indestructible.

cs1 - I think the OP mean that BAR END EXTENSIONS are forbidden, but you've misunderstood him to mean BAR END SHIFTERS. Which would work fine with an MTB powertrain and drops, of course.

As to your original question, I suspect it comes down to bar width, and for any normal bar that probably means it won't work. (Wal-Mart sells a "road" bike with grip shifters, so it can be done, but I doubt it would be easy to find the right stem and bars.)

They do it with bars that are split in the middle, under the stem. Just FYI.

Andy K - I don't mind looking silly (In any event, I will be cruising around on a bike with first gen rockshox, xray shifters and teal mtb shoes).

I am trying to find those wonky looking things in Toronto as a back up plan.

BTW - I did mean "bar end extensions". Being fresh, I forgot that bar end shifters exist in the CX world.

thanks for the ideas

I think the original point that bar end extensions wont do anything for you is the bigger issue. The point of being in the drops is not for an aero advantage, but to descend trickier portions with good positioning for braking. Those extensions will add weight, but not make the bike any more functional.

You can use a hubbub to use MTB style grip shifters with a road bike bar. SRAM used to make grip shifters specifically for road bike bars. I still have them.

I think the original point that bar end extensions wont do anything for you is the bigger issue. The point of being in the drops is not for an aero advantage, but to descend trickier portions with good positioning for braking.


That's a good point and counterintuitive to someone used to MTBs.



Those extensions will add weight, but not make the bike any more functional.

Actually they will - which is why MTBs have them. They're much better for laying on the power for a climb or what have you - they're closer tonthe on-the-hoods position of a crosser, although not as comfortable. Plus they give a position where the carpal bones aren't being squeezed into each other. Like the OP said, "Extra positions".

That's a good point and counterintuitive to someone used to MTBs.



Actually they will - which is why MTBs have them. They're much better for laying on the power for a climb or what have you - they're closer tonthe on-the-hoods position of a crosser, although not as comfortable. Plus they give a position where the carpal bones aren't being squeezed into each other. Like the OP said, "Extra positions".

And - the race I plan on doing seems a bit unconventional - it has lots of gravel road sections and some paved sections. Here the drops will have give an aero advantage.

But I do take your good point about drops (if break levers are accessible) being a good control position.

i think the denali has grip shifts on its drops....:rolleyes:

Grip shift shifters are sized to fit mountain bike diameter bars. Road bars are bigger, so they probably won't fit at all.

There is an extension made to fit into the end of a drop bar that allows you to but a gripshifter on it. If I remember correctly, it cost almost as much as a set of bar end shifters though.

cs1 - I think the OP mean that BAR END EXTENSIONS are forbidden, but you've misunderstood him to mean BAR END SHIFTERS. Which would work fine with an MTB powertrain and drops, of course.

You're correct. I thought he was talking about barend shifters. I apologize.