Bar End *friction* shifters and Shadow plus
 

I have a drop bar mountain bike conversion that I've been riding more aggressively lately, and the Altus rd (which I put on as a $12 solution when I didn't know how much I'd like this build) is no longer up to the task. I think I want to switch to a clutch rd like one of the shadow plus deores or thereabouts. I currently run 7 speeds in the back, but want the flexibility to run 10 speeds / 11-36t (would be achieved by cold-setting the dropouts out an extra 5mm at some point in the future when I've cooked the rear wheel). Using a 9sp chain. I suppose a right hand rear brifter wouldn't be such a huge deal if I have to do so, but I like the simplicity of the current friction setup. Could see it going to 1x w narrow wide chainring in the future as well. Any recs for achieving that versatility w clutch derailleur would be welcome.

I asked a similar question not long ago.

The cheapest answer I got was "probably".
The best answer I got was that microshift makes a 10 speed bar end shifter for mountain bike derailleurs.

I got both these answers from the same guy.

I still haven't decided which way to go myself. $30 and ghetto vs $90 and right. I'm leaning towards microshift.

BTW, I'll be starting my build with an 11-42 cassette and a 38 tooth narrow wide ring. This will be on an old Voodoo steel CX bike. I'll run 38mm tubeless.

Basically a severe gravel, bikepacking, maybe touring, definitely commuter, and hauler of baby trailer. Depending on how it rides, I may switch to a 42 front ring.

I have the Microshift 10sp index barcons on a different bike, and they're great - they work perfectly every time. The bike in question has friction-only Suntour barcons, but it has an Altus rd. I'm looking more for a rd clutch derailleur recommendation that'll work with the current 28/38/48 triple I have up front and the 11-36 future cogset in the back. And have the ability to switch to 1x (probably 40t) eventually on this particular bike. Is there a particular model of Shimano shadow plus I should be looking at for this upgrade to the build?

What's your rear spacing now? You can make a 126 freehub into a 130mm 10 speed hub with just a freehub body change. You don't have to go to 135 spacing.

Here's an article on how to trick Dynasis derailleurs into a shorter pull ratio:
https://www.pinkbike.com/u/SupraShin...o-9-speed.html

I've never screwed around with this stuff, but I'm assuming that the pull ratio takes so much cable that a regular bar end shifter isn't going to be able to go the full range. There are friction shifters designed for more cable pull, but I don't think anyone has combined them with a bar end pod. So changing the pull ratio of the derailleur is another way to go.

Of course, you could also just buy a set of Ene 11 retrofriction downtube shifters and modify the bar end pods to fit them. You're just creating more drum clearance.

both levers friction? main issue will be upping your hand skills to hit a narrower target ,
because of the tighter spacing ..

you may want to consider N+1.. buy a new bike with all the new stuff on it, rather than pour a lot of money
into what you have..

relegate your current bike to winter commuting or something..





...

Both sides are friction. No issues controlling 7 speed shifts right now. The Altus just has a weak spring and bounces around too much on bumpy terrain aka too much ghost shifting. Re N+1, I have enough bikes, this one just needs a different rd (also, $60 or so versus $1500), and I'd like to have one that won't introduce compatibility issues in the future should I switch out other aspects of the drivetrain. So the question is, with friction barcons, will I have any compatibility with shadow plus, and which shadow plus derailleurs fit the bill if I want to have the flexibility to use it with a current total range of 40t, and potentially a future range of 25t on a 1x?

I never said what I use. I've got a 10speed SLX derailleur. I used it last fall on a 1x mountain bike that I'd converted from single speed. It worked great up to 36 right out of the box.

I messed with the b screw and added some chain and it was fine up to 42. The derailleur hanger that I added to the horizontal dropouts was significantly shorter than a typical one, so on any other bike, that SLX probably could shift up to 42 without much adjusting.

I'm moving the components over to my gravel build since I never ride a mountain bike anyway and if I do, it's on stuff the CX bike can do anyway.

Shimano 10 speed MTB RDs move less per 1 mm of cable travel, than lower speed count RDs (and most road RDs). Shimano 11 speed MTB RDs move even less. So using such a shifter, it might not be as hard to "hit" the correct gear using manual shifting.
For "standard" Shimano RDs, that move more, up to 8 speeds is manageable with friction shifters, while going over that requires very precise hand movement.

* Haven't tried to compare how it feels, but you'll definitely get more lever movement per gear change, so more room for error.

It seems like this the the concensus based on the research I've done.

I had been contemplating a similar build myself and again, based on the research, most people find going above 8 to be too finicky for friction. Sure, there were those that didn't mind it with a 10cog but most moved back down to 8. I've decided to just stick with the 7cog; really what does one more cog do?

YMMV.

Agree.
One more cog casette costs some 20% more and usually gives one higher gear ratio - not worth it for me.
Just sad there aren't Shimano 7 speed rear freehubs easily available new. So I use spacers to fit a 7 speed cassette.