steve-in-kville 

I had aquired a steel framed MTB made by Schwinn. This bike was bought new by a family member in the early 90's. I want to build this into a commuter for next year. The brakes need worked on or replaced. The shifters and derailers are servicable. The only defect is the handlebar is kinked and needs replaced.

My issue is, after riding drops all this year, I have really fallen in love with riding on the brake hoods. I have never ridden in the drops themselves. So I am looking at bullhorn bars and end shifters. I also wouldn't be against going with another straight bar with bar ends, or even a straight bar with clip on aero's.

My question is, if I go with bullhorns I was hoping to use bar-end shifters. I have a triple up front and a 6-cog on the rear. Are bar-end shifters adaptable for this arrangement? I've never done anything like this before so I could use some suggestions.

Thanks!!

Monster Pete

If you can't get suitable bar-end shifters, I'd suggest looking at the old-style top-mount thumb shifters. On my drop-bar conversion, I have these mounted right on the ends of the handlebars, so that the lever extends beyond it in the same way as bar-end shifters. They're dirt cheap compared to bar-end shifters and can easily be found in 5 and 6-speed.

steve-in-kville 

I did a quick check of bar end shifters and I couldn't find anything for a 6-speed. Maybe I should be thinking about a regulat MTB bar and bar-ends? Or has anyone tried clip on areo bars with a MTB?

Schwinnrider

If you ran the bar ends in friction mode, wouldn't that work no matter how many speeds your cassette is?

TimmyT 

If you want indexing instead of friction shifting, the Shimano 8's will work with a six speed freewheel depending on your rear derailleur (https://sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-spacing.html), but you may have to use an alternate cable routing.

You could also buy the pods separately and source a pair of downtube shifters. There are lots of 7 speed shifters around that will work with 6 speed freewheels.

OR, just find a pair of Suntour ratcheting bar end shifters. These can only be run in friction mode.

You will need to be careful as to which bars you get, however. Bar end shifters only work on road bike bars.

steve-in-kville 

Why?

steve-in-kville 

Okay, so if I understand right, bar-ends can be ran in friction mode? Can you give me an example of a make/model that does this?

Doohickie

The Suntour Barcons would work. That's what I used on my bike. They are not indexed, but the system is set up for indexed shifting (i.e., cogs with ramps, etc.). The Barcons work very well for this application. This bike started out with MTB-style flat bars:



They are no longer made, but you can pick them up at swap meets, ebay, etc. Here's a pair... currently $76 on ebay. I got mine for $35 at a swap meet.

TimmyT 

MTB bars have a smaller diameter. The bar end shifters will not fit in the tubes.

Just about all can be run in friction mode. I have a pair of 10 speed Shimano BS-79's that are only indexed. I'm sure there are others. Just make sure that whatever you get, you have the option to run it in friction, should you go bar-end shifter.

steve-in-kville 

After doing some research, I think for the moment I will stick with normal MTB bars (and shifters) and buy some clip-on areo bars to tool with. If I do not like the areo's I can always add them to another ride.

Thanks for all the help!