AK404

Long story short, I have a CX bike converted to SS, have been thinking of making it a 1x9 for quite some time now - mostly for bad weather commuting, maybe some racing if the opportunity presents itself. Pulled the trigger on DA bar ends because I've always wanted to try them out and because of their dependability in all conditions, but now that I'm looking at the short and shallow handlebars, I'm beginning to question the wisdom of this decision.

For one thing, there ain't a whole lot of room on the drops for the cable. For another, most bar end setups recommend a minimum of bends for effective use, meaning a lot of cable will be on the outside of the bike. Lastly, there's just a little voice in the back of my head that says "bad idea, dude, bad idea."

Thoughts?

fietsbob

NB: Historically, they have long been used in CX racing before the whole brifter fad hit.

Loose Chain

I thought that Bar End shifters were the preferred arrangement for cross? Always was in the years ago I did a few cross events. What else would you use?

LC

AK404

Have they? I had no idea. What I'm worried about mostly is just a lot of cable housing flopping around.

fietsbob

Wrap it under the tape all the way to the stem if you wish..

flargle

I used to run 1x10 with a bar-end on the right and the one thing I found was occasionally hitting it with my knee when riding out of the saddle. The next season I moved it to a thumb shifter (Paul Thumbie) and liked it a bit better. Both setups work fine.

If you are committed to the right thumb, you might want to lop off an inch or so of the handlebar. That might solve the knee-strike issue, and make the shifter a little closer to your hand. In the best setup, you'd be spending a lot of time in the drops (a la Ben Berden) so the thumb shifter would be right there.

In summary: I don't think it's a bad idea.

fietsbob

I have 2 bikes with MB 1 take off Nitto dirt drop bars, and bar end shifters , the drops spread out at an angle.

that helps resolve the knee shifting.. my Touring rig has, wide in general, bars.. and bar end shifters.. for same benefit.

flargle

Just remembered about this profile of Paul Curley's bike. Pretty dang sweet.
https://www.cxmagazine.com/retro-bike...pin-arts-frame

That rear wheel cover is actually a great idea.

MKIV987

I ran a bar-end shifter on my 1x9 cx bike for two seasons and never had a single problem. Brifters will be a little easier since you don't have to move your hand to shift, but you'll do fine, especially if you tend to ride in the drops anyway.