Bar-ends to downtube?
 

I have a (mostly) stock Surly LHT. It has the Shimano bar-end shifters. Is there another piece required to mount them as downtube shifters? If so, what is it, and where do I order it?

Thanks!

AFAIK bar-end shifters cannot be converted to DT shifters. The LHT does have DT shifter bosses, so you could put DT shifters on, but you'll need to buy new shifters.

I have to ask though, why would you want to do such a thing? Bar-end shifters are so much more convenient than DT shifters. Send me your bar-end shifters if you don't want them!

The mechanism is identical between bar-end and downtube shifters. Take a look at
Downtube: http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/te...9830611817.pdf
and
Bar-end: http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/te...9830628723.pdf

The "lever boss cover" is the same part number for both. The difference is that the one that comes with the bar-ends has a flat back, whereas the one for the downtube shifters has a concave back. To mount the bar-ends on the brazed-on downtube mounts, you need Shimano p/n 643 3810 .

Why is a whole 'nother kettle of monkeys. I would simply purchase standard downtube shifters and sell the bar-ends to Jake.

Shimano Bar end shifters make kind of awkward downtube shifters. I like something a bit longer, without that odd kink in them. If you don't want indexing, downtube shifters are dirt cheap, I would buy something purpose built.

Plus, at a later date, you can mount your fancy new downtube shifters to the bar end shifter pod and have really snazzy bar end shifters. It works for a surprisingly large number of shifters, if you're willing to kludge a bit.

There's a pair of required adapter plates which mate with the shift levers. Problem is there doesn't seem to be any available new without buying a set of shifters also. Check with you LBS for just the plates.

Brad

Thanks all. I was hoping to do it as a trial without buying anything expensive. I guess I need to either forget it, spring for some new shifters, or see if the LBS has the adapter plate in their parts bin.

Thanks again.

I don't miss bending over to reach down tube levers, so far,
now that my touring/derailleur bike has had bar end shifters for 20 years + ..