showlow

I'm building a light randonneur/cross style bike for a friend. Things are going over budget and it's my fault as I bought a bunch of Dyna-Sys stuff not knowing it wasn't compatible with the new DA bar ends. I fronted the cash for a NOS Deore 9 speed drivetrain and I was thinking that to save him money I would give him my Dura-ace 9 Speed Barcons and get some new shifters for myself. This kinda gives me the excuse to experiment with shifters anyway. I actually have zero issues with my DA barcons but I like to tinker.

Below is a list of shifters I was considering. Anybody care to chime in? My bike is a Surly Cross Check with 9 speed XT and v-brakes...

Rivendell Silver Barcons - Less expensive than buying new DA 9 speeds for myself. I kinda like friction shifting.

Rivendell Silver Downtube - Cheapest option.

Dura-ace Downtube 7700s - IMO the most awesome looking shifters, and I sorta like using DT on my old Schwinn road bike, but I'm not so sure I would like them if I used them with a load on the back of my bike, or if I took the Cross Check onto some single track. I'm kinda leaning towards these anyway because I think they look awesome and because I can tolerate slightly inconvenient shifting.

Thanks!

Totally love this forum.

PS - Oh yeah. I would love to hear options that I might not have considered!

fietsbob

friction.. I have 30 yearold Sun tour Bar end shifters .. 7 speed freewheels I built a beefy axle rear wheel

9 takes a steadier hand since the spacing is smaller.. how about 8?

I gave up on downtube shifters so I always have 2 handson the bars when I change gears .

maybe you are young and flexible and always down low on the drops , IDK.

imi

Stem shifters?
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/mobile/shimano-friction-double-gear-levers-222-mm-band-on-for-1-quill-stems-prod5827/

showlow

Is there any way to mount modern downtube shifters to a threadless stem? That seems like it could awesome. Maybe modify a headset spacer?

mm718

Downtube or stem shifters seem like they wouldn't be all that convenient. I'd go with bar ends or retro shifters.

Rifleman

I mounted my bar ends on my downtube.Always wanted downtube shifters and I didn't have to buy anything,just shorten my cables a bit.

MassiveD

The retros are theoretically available on a hydro road brakes which would be a game changer.

imi

Paul Thumbies?
https://www.paulcomp.com/thumbies.html