Originally Posted by
GFish
Agree, I too hate to shift around intersections. Which is exactly why I don't. Instead, I commute 30 miles round trip on a single speed. Mostly flat roads except for a few rollers and 2 bridges.
With the SS, I still make it to work around the same time as my old gear driven heavy steel MTB converted as a commuter and my geared road bike. So yes, I'm one of those who think that gearing and all the shifting is over rated. Except for climbing mountains and hills, or battling strong headwinds, I doubt most people need all those gears.
And in case someone mistakes me as an elite cyclist, don't. I'm not that strong of a rider, almost 57 years old and still have some pounds to lose.
Since bar ends are supposed to be very reliable, these should work well on a commuter, and if safety is a concern, just limit the number of shifts and shift only when it's safe.
Commuter16, nice bike, congrats! And good for you to start commuting.
Personally, I respect a single speed a lot more than bar end shifters. A single speed has a LOT less things that need to be maintained - no front derailler, no rear derailler, likely longer chain life because the chain isn't changing chainrings, much cheaper rear chainring, cheaper front chainring, cheaper because there's not shifter at all...
And frankly, it just sounds pretty cool. :-)
Bar end shifters are the worst of everything in my opinion. It still has all the complexity and maintenance of a shifting system, but without the convenience of having your hands always on both the shifters and the brakes.
I've owned 3 road bikes, and *never* had a regular shifter break. And I've never heard of a regular shifter breaking except in a very very serious crash. It's a bit like "well this shifter will last you 80 years, and this other one will last you 160 years!" - who care, lol, I'll be dead - or at least on another bike by that time. :-) It's only advantage is a very minor upfront cost difference, and I don't think it's worth it.