Snowden

I also posted this in the evaluation forum, but it's not really a question of value, so I think maybe I should put it here. If this isn't appropriate, sorry, and please feel free to delete this post. -thanks

I've been looking at a craigslist ad for some "Dura ace Bar end shifters New in box with clips/cables" which the seller claims are from the 70s. My questions:
1) I would be getting these because I want to USE THEM. I'm actually looking to sort of retrograde my bike from the junky newish shimano sora stuff she's wearing now to much classier componants. To make that work price-wise (I'm on a pretty strict budget), I'm thinking about good condition OLDER classy things. Plus, I like barcons. The seller is asking $50. If these are NIB as stated, and, I presume, first gen dura ace barcons, is it practical to buy them for use (both quality of use and value-wise)? Or would it be better to keep looking? Or buy these for some restoration project down the road?
2) I've potentially already got a dura ace 7700 rear derailleur lined up for this project. Will these work with that? I think that they will, but I might as well ask you folks too. I'm not necessarily tied to either one, so if one screams better than the other, I'd be happy to go that way... but if both work, then dang, I'm in business.

Also, I don't have access to pictures. This is a little sketchy, but I've been willing to take a shot on worse.

Thanks!

Amani576

I thought SunTour made the first barcons. And that wasn't until even the 70's. Then Campy followed suit. I didn't think Shimano jumped on that boat until bar-ends for aero bars.
I'm probably wrong, but that's what I know.
-Gene-

Bikedued

Shimano bar ends, on this bike which is roughly a 73 model. They're marked 3.3.3. So are the hubs... The cranks and brakes are Dura Ace, and the RD Crane.,,,,,BD

Volkscycle Mark 100.

AlanKHG

My '70s bike with Dura-Ace kit came with, I believe, 333 barcons. They don't have the clicky retrofriction action like Suntour, but they are countersprung versus the derailleur. They work fine but not brilliantly.

unterhausen

my commuter has one shimano and one Suntour. Pretty sure Campy made theirs first, but they stunk so nobody cares. Suntours are great shifters.

divineAndbright

Ive got a few sets of em, i love em, $50 is a good deal for an unused set. ive seen used ones sell for that on the ebay numerous times

Jeff Wills

Yeah, the balance spring makes it hard to adjust correctly since the spring doesn't perfectly compensate for the derailleur spring. The Suntour micro-ratchet is (was) much nicer.

Snowden

thanks for the input, folks.
I think that I'll pass on these, because the vintage isn't really an issue for me, and for a mere 10 dollars more I can pick up some new Dia Compe Silver shifters, which I've heard tell are basically the bee's knees.

Barchettaman

Hey Snowden, what´s wrong with Shimano Sora? As long as it´s all dialed in OK it works fine for me. Have roadies been making snide comments about your equipment, or has it broken on you?
If you´re on a budget, and the stuff you have on now works OK, it would seem to me the logical thing to do to just keep what you have now.... but best of luck whatever you decide to do!
Cheers
Simon

jacksbike

I am not 100% sure, but I think Shimano came out with bar-cons before SunTour. They worked OK, not a lot of spring return action. SunTour bar-cons are far superior in the way they work, and last. The Campy's were terrible.

Grand Bois

Actually, Suntour made the only Barcons since that was their name for them. The rest are are bar end shifters, but barcon has become the generic name. Suntours certainly weren't the first. I don't think they're the best, either. I've got some Simplex Retrofrictions that I like much better. I don't like shifters that click.