Originally Posted by
fuzz2050
Do recall that plenty of bikes come stock with bar end shifters (with friction modes) and 9 speed clusters and have no trouble. In fact, every bar end shifter made (Except the new 10 speeds, or so I've heard) have a friction mode, that should say enough.
Yes, but we are also talking about Barcons (, SunTour), which pre-date friction/index combo bar end shifters to the extent of 5 speed clusters, so it isn't that obvious. They don't seem to pull as much as more modern shifters, so it is something to watch out for.