RAMJ84

This might be a really stupid question, but does a 7 speed Barcon work with a 10 speed bike?

Darth Lefty 

In friction mode, if it has one. The cable pull per click isn't the same for indexing.

icepick_trotsky 

It may or may not have enough travel, and I find it a little tricky to dial in a gear in friction with anything wider than 8 speeds, but it will work.

RAMJ84

What if the barcon is ratcheting?

icepick_trotsky 

Doesn't matter. The ratchet is not indexed, it just makes friction more precise.

prathmann

The ratcheting barcons I've used have rather small steps between clicks of the ratchet and only have steps at all in one direction. So it's still possible to fine adjust the position of the lever limited only be the user's dexterity. As mentioned, when you get up to 10 or 11 cogs you need to get the position rather precise and it becomes more difficult to find the ideal lever position, but it's still possible - just less easy or convenient.

Velocivixen

I have a couple iterations of Suntour Bar-cons. I have the black 7-speed ones labeled "Bar-Con" on the side, which are either indexed or friction. I don't recall if, in the friction mode, they "ratchet". I have a pair of Power ratchet shifters, which are friction only. There's a tiny wheel inside with teeth that ratchet as you shift to a lower gear (larger cog) rear only. This makes it easier to shift when pulling cable. There isn't ratcheting in the other direction.

This does not answer your question, but hopefully clarifies ratcheting friction from plain vanilla friction. You can use any friction with any number of cogs as long as your derailleur covers that much lateral movement. As already mentioned, when you add more cogs, one has to use more finesse when shifting since there's not much room between cogs.

mountaindave 

I have a pair, but have never tried it beyond 7. I think you are asking if it will pull through the extra width of a 10 cassette. The 8/9/10 cassettes are pretty much the same width (they all fit on the same sized freehub), but are wider by a couple mm than the older 5/6/7 cassettes. That's why we went from 126mm rear dropout spacings to 130mm spacings. However, if I am not mistaken, you only need about 3mm more of travel.

I checked my barcons, and I'm not sure I would be confident they could do all 10. Maybe 9 out of 10? Maybe someone else has some better real world experience?

MD

RAMJ84

My rear wheel has 5 gears, so is that a 5 cassette? And my bike a 10 speed?

prathmann

Yes, the terminology has changed. In the '60s and '70s bikes were referred to by the total number of gear combinations - so one with 5 cogs in the back and two chain rings was a "10 speed" bike while one with 5 in back and 3 in front was a "15 speed". But with the increasing number of cogs on newer bikes the reference is now to just that number, so a "10 speed" bike today is one with 10 cogs in back and usually 2 chain rings in front (although variants with 3 or only 1 ring exist as well).

BTW, your bike has a freewheel, not a cassette. Freewheels have the freewheeling ratchet mechanism built into a unit with the cogs whereas cassettes contain only the cogs and the ratchet mechanism is in a separate 'freehub'. It's a little stronger design that allows the hub bearing on the drive side to be farther out for better support of the axle and is better suited to the increasing number of cogs used now.

RAMJ84

I see, that explains everyone's response. By that logic, would a 7 speed barcon definitely work on a 5 speed bike?

Velocivixen

Yes, that sounds right. In friction mode though. Not in indexed.

Hydrated

I'm using a set of Suntour PowerRatchet barcons with a 9 speed freewheel. It works just fine, but it is more finicky with trimming the shifts.

RAMJ84

Thanks a lot guys, I thought I had accidently ordered the wrong shifters, but it turns out they might be the right ones after all.

mountaindave 

You should be golden, as long as the limit screws on your rear derailleur don't get changed.

The Golden Boy 

Huh, wha...

Oh...

Carry on.