microSHIFT Bar end shifter question
 

Hi,

I am a bit confused by the different offerings of Microshift's Bar End shifters. While it makes sense, if you want indexed shifting, to go for the apropriate Shimano/SRAM 10 or 11 speed offering, it should be irrelevant if one plans to use them in friction mode, right?
Since there is a marginal difference (1.8 mm) in cassette width from 10 to 11 speed, shouldnt an 10 Speed Bar end shifter provide enough cable pull to use either in friction mode?

BR

I know nothing about Microshift bar ends, but my concern would be will overall travel distance of the shifters. Is there enough to cover all 11 speeds? I have 9 speed Shimano bar ends that I am using in friction mode, index does not work. If I use them with 10 speed, the travel of the bar end is really short to make the shift. Once you get used to it, it is fine. I have not tried 11 speed.

Not necessarily. Shimano changed their road derailleur pull ratio (actuation) when they released 11 speed and 10-speed mountain. Formerly (e.g., 10-speed road and earlier, early Dura Ace excepted), 1mm of cable pulled by the shifter caused 1.7mm of derailleur movement for a Shimano derailleur. After the change, 1mm of cable pull caused less derailleur movement - about 1.4mm for Shimano 11-speed road, and about 1.2mm for Dynasys 10-speed.

This is explained fairly well here:

Science Behind the Magic | Drivetrain Compatibility ? Art's SLO Cyclery

Because of the difference in pull ratio, an 11-speed Shimano road derailleur (or a 10-speed Dynasys mountain derailleur) may require the shifter to pull more cable to make all shifts than many 10-speed shifters can pull, even in friction mode. I'm pretty sure that's why Dia Compe makes an oversized shifter (see the VO website) that's suggested for use with 11-speed Shimano road and 10-speed Shimano Dynasys derailleurs..

Thanks for your elaborate reply. So I would be on the safe side to go for the 11-speed Microshift bar end, just to make sure I can pull enough cable?

That would likely be the safest option. If you decide to do that, make sure the shifters you get are compatible with the derailleur you have. Recent derailleurs from different manufacturers (SRAM, Shimano, Campagnolo) now often use different derailleur pull ratios. Hell, sometimes derailleurs from the same manufacturer use different pull ratios for the same number of speeds (example: Shimano road and Dynasys 10-speed).

One potential issue if you're specifically looking for friction shifting: as I read the Microshift website, the newer 11-speed Microshift Shimano-compatible road bar ends don't appear to have a friction mode. Their older bar end/downtube/thumb shifter units (all appeared to use similar shift levers) did.

If not having friction shifting is a "dealbreaker", short of using a jTek or similar pull ratio converter to pull more cable I'm out of ideas. VO's website specifically says that the oversized Dia Compe 11-speed downtube shifter set they sell will not fit Dia Compe thumb shifter mounts due to the larger barrel. Presumably that also means it won't fit most bar end mounts.

What are you actually trying to shift? # of gears? RD? etc

There is also this option. This company "Gavenalle" makes brake/shifter setups that also have a separate thumb shifter for 11sp that can be converted to indexed or friction. Specially made for them by Microshift. You would have to confirm with them that it will fit your bar end mounts but if it does, would be what you're looking for and of course you would have to buy the mounts separately. Gevenalle Shift Levers – Gevenalle You might also be interested in their brake/shifter setup as it has all the advantages of bar ends plus easier to use IMO. Shifters – Gevenalle

10 or 11 speed, depending on wether i can retrofit the 26'' casette to a 10 or 11 speed freehub body. Any cheap RD really. (likely w/ a clutch such as a Deore or Rival since i plan on going 1x). I have the VO friction shifters on one of my bikes, but they are mounted on the downtube and use a alvio 9sp RD with a 10speed casette no problem (the shifter is bent almost 180 °, but w/e)

Yea, the STIs from Gevenalle I don't like the look of off the shifting cable shooting out from the hoods ;) - Main reason really, why I don't wanna use them. Also, why can nothing ever be easy with bikes :D - I didnt even conisder that the diameter of the bar end plugs wouldn fit a somewhat current drop handlebar.

For reference, this is the bar end shifter I am currently contemplating in getting: microSHIFT BS-M11 (should be friction compatible, from what i've gleaned) - But FGS correct me if i am wrong :D

None of the above give any useful info about what you want to know from the original question.

Without knowing exactly what RD type/cassette speed combo you will be using (not are possibly planning), your question is impossible to answer.

Having done a little bit or research into Microshift bar end shifters recently for my own possible purchase, all you need to know is, is the RD Sram or Shimano, Mountain or Road and speed, then look for the one that matches those specs, and that's what you need to buy, without knowing the basics of what you will be running, you will never be able to get the answer to the question.

I use Microshift bar ends on two bikes. They are great.

Get the shifter that matches the drivetrain you have. If you only intend to use friction shifting, why waste your money on indexed shifters? Just get any old friction shifters on eBay and be done with it.

I am unsure if old ebay friction shifters would have enough cable pull, hence my question about cable pull. And yes, friction will be, what I will be going for.

I think you’re getting ahead of yourself.

You don’t yet know how many speeds and what derailleur you’ll have. No reason to buy the shifter first.

Once you work out what mech you’re running, get a shifter. Microshift likely has a perfect match for your setup and will be able to run it indexed.

We don’t start from a place of kludge, we just use it once our original plans fall through.

FWIW, those Gevenalle levers use microshift, so that doesn’t put you anywhere else on this journey, even if they weren’t so fugly.