There are many kinds of bar ends, including ones that effectively make a flat bar into a dropped bar, or, if long enough, into a bullhorn set up. I switched out the SRAM gearing on my Swift for 11/32 and found it wouldn't index and converted an old Mtn bike shifter by filing away a little of the internal detente which allowed it to mover further than stock. I agree that simple is best if possible. What if you just replace the chain ring with a smaller one, combined with a larger rear sprocket (11/32)?