Bicycle Mechanics - Moving Gear shifter from down tube to handle bars and/or brakes

I recently got back into riding, and found a great deal on a 1988 trek 1000. I would like to move the gear shifter from the down tube to the handle bar area. I have a friend whose gear shifters are integrated in the brakes, and would like to know more about this option. I any information on anything about bicycles is appreciated, since I am new to doing my own maintenance and just trying to expand my knowledge.

Thanks Everyone!
Ja.H.

there are such things as barcon adapters, which will move DT shifters to the ends of your bars and is by far the most cheapest solution.

for the shift and brake lever all in one, I would start off by reading here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimano_Total_Integration
Dual control levers are not cheap, and might not offer what you are looking for as an upgrade to a 1988 trek 1000. In fact, it might be cheaper to buy a Trek 1.2, what the 1000 is called now, that already has the dual control levers.

Converting your bicycle to STI shifting is probably not a cost effective idea. Leave the shifters alone and enjoy the bike.

While it may not be cost effective, sometimes the learning experience is worth the cost. I have to agree with Al1943 about STI's though. Bar end shifters may be a better idea, and keep your Trek closer to 'stock'.

Another alternative is Kelly Take-Offs (www.kellybike.com). These are a $50 set of brackets that mount downtube shifters right next to your current brake levers. They provide most of the convenience of integrated brak/shifters (aka brifters) at much less cost.

Otherwise the conversion is going to be very costly, particularly if you have to upgrade from 7-speed (that's what it is now, right) to 9 or 10 speed since 7-speed brifters are obsolete and hard to find.

I'm having this same debate with the '89 Trek 1500 in my avatar. I could get 10-speed downtube shifters, but that would cost well over $100 with a new cassette and chain and I don't think it's worth it for two extra speeds.

I've been seeing some 9 and 10 speed "TT/aero bar" bar end shifters on ebay. Will these mount in my drop bars ok? STIs are way too expensive. They go for more than I payed for the bike.

TT/aerobar shifters, barcons, bar ends, all work with drop bars. There's no reason why they shouldn't.

you should be able to buy 9sp DA bar end shifters from wiggle, ribble or crc for about $60
ebay is the wrong place to be looking for shifters. ebay is only good for wheels, frames/forks, obscure and small parts.

...ebay is the wrong place to be looking for shifters. ebay is only good for wheels, frames/forks, obscure and small parts.

You don't like these 8 speed DA barcons for $43 shipped?

http://cgi.ebay.com/NOS-VINTAGE-SHIMANO-SL-BS50-DERAILLEUR-LEVERS-8-sp-/140459795493?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20b40e6425

Ja.H., If the Trek is a 6S (six rear gears) it'll get expensive and barends are the best option. If a Shimano 7S either the barends or Sora 7S integrated shifters will work.

Brad

PS I forgot, 7S RSX integrated shifters will also work.

Thanks everyone. Yea the upgrade/change is more of a learning experience than anything else. The Kelly Take-offs look like a good inexpensive what rather than the STI option. I was looking at other bikes that have made this change, and they have a piece placed where the shifters use to be. What is that piece called?

I recently swapped my downtube shifters for drop-bar mounted frictional thumb shifters -- extremely cheap shifters, but I like the position quite a bit and it certainly wasn't expensive ;).

YMMV - this set up offends a lot of folks' sensibilities.

Rivendale [for one] sells . Shimano Type bar end shifter 'pods' can take , re configured,
with down tube levers re used as bar end shifters, ..

Another source?... Shimano Indexed bar end shifters get used in Paul's thumbies ,
then the 'Pod ' is a left over part.

How many speeds is your rear cassette? Do you know your rear spacing (126mm or 130mm)? Does it have Shimano components?


The shifters you are talking about are a bit expensive (they are called "brifters", "sti shifters" "brake shifters") Your cheapest option, if you want that type of shifters, is to get USED 8x3 or 8x2 Shimano Sora brake shifters and buy a 8 speed rear wheel if your current one isnt 8speed. If your rear cassette is 7sp and you want to keep it.. prepare to pay $150 for used 7x2/7x3 shifters (they are popular and harder to find). You might also need a new chain/cassette depending on your situation. These are the ones i got: http://cgi.ebay.com/SHIMANO-SORA-FLIGHT-DECK-STI-3300-3304-LEVERS-SHIFTERS-/320604941892?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4aa58b2e44


If you want to go even cheaper then do what the guys above me mentioned.. some "thumb shifters" or "bar end shifters".




It all depends on how you look at it. I was told it wasnt a good idea on some forums. I did it anyways.. I had a 7speed bike with downtube shifters. Bought Shimano Sora 8x3 shifters for $80 shipped... sold my old shifters/brake levers for $50.... bought 8sp Bontager Select wheelset for $100 shipped... sold the Mavic 7sp wheelset for $120. Ended up with a much better bike! Do the math :)


THE PIECE YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IS CALLED "DOWNTUBE CABLE STOP"
http://cgi.ebay.com/Shimano-Ultegra-Downtube-Cable-Stops-Double-Barrel-Type-/270642284868?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f03898944

http://www.jtgraphics.net/images/cannondale/cablestop.jpg

If you call your local bike shop im sure you can get them for around $10

You don't like these 8 speed DA barcons for $43 shipped?

http://cgi.ebay.com/NOS-VINTAGE-SHIMANO-SL-BS50-DERAILLEUR-LEVERS-8-sp-/140459795493?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20b40e6425

Eeee. 21-30 days in transit? Spend a few extra bucks for piece of mind.

Information on the drive train would be helpful. This conversion can be done but you should tell us what you have, its really hard for me to find out what equipment came on your 88 trek 1000 and how much you are willing to upgrade. it may be better to use the money towards a newer bike with the brifters. but if you really want to upgrade this bike then at a minimum you will need a set of brake shifters, cables and housing. it may take more like a new rear wheel and have the rear wheel respaced.

I was looking at other bikes that have made this change, and they have a piece placed where the shifters use to be. What is that piece called?
They are called downtube cable stops and a set comes with every pair of Shimano brifters and barend shifters. Any bike shop should have a box full of extras left over from customer upgrades and will sell them cheap or even give them away if you are a known customer.

Any bike shop should have a box full of extras left over from customer upgrades and will sell them cheap or even give them away if you are a known customer.

+1 -- that's exactly how I scored a pair for free.

my '88 trek 1000 is 6spd Shimano light action, indexed DT, 126mm spaced W/freewheel.

I don't see where it's worth the cost or effort to upgrade based on all the things that would need changing on an entry level bike.

ebay is the wrong place to be looking for shifters. ebay is only good for wheels, frames/forks, obscure and small parts.

I have bought everything from shifters, derailleurs, brake calipers, complete bikes, cranksets (new and used), bottom brackets, etc. Got a smokin hot deal on a box of 100 stainless Shimano brake cables. Just bought a roll of Shimano SIS cable housing. I have bought a couple of bikes this year on ebay.

You just have to be selective on your buys. There are good deals, OK deals, and lousy deals on ebay. Unfortunately, there is a lot more of the latter two categories, than the first.

I have bought everything from shifters, derailleurs, brake calipers, complete bikes, cranksets (new and used), bottom brackets, etc. Got a smokin hot deal on a box of 100 stainless Shimano brake cables. Just bought a roll of Shimano SIS cable housing. I have bought a couple of bikes this year on ebay.

You just have to be selective on your buys. There are good deals, OK deals, and lousy deals on ebay. Unfortunately, there is a lot more of the latter two categories, than the first.

typically, I can find at least one UK dealer that sells parts much cheaper than what ebay has to offer.
the only places where the deals are good consistently seem to be bikewagon.

at least for new parts.