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-   -   Question on bar end shifters (https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/668215-question-bar-end-shifters.html)

I like free 08-02-10 11:26 PM
Question on bar end shifters
 
I am starting a conversion of a MTB to a touring bike. It is a 7 speed which currently has Altus components. Going to try to upgrade to Deore 7 speed. Can't seem to find indexing bar ends for a 7 speed so will any friction bar end shifter work? Does it have to Shimano or just any brand? May not be an issue as I may go with trekking bars and thumb shifters, just looking at my options if I go with drops.

Thanks for the help.

RT 08-02-10 11:48 PM
You can get a good set of friction shifters for less than $20. I used them on my 8 speed. Pro's, correct me if I'm wrong, but my experience was that since they are not indexed, they simply work through a 'range' as determined by how you set your limit screws on the derailleurs.

sonatageek 08-03-10 04:50 AM
Friction or this if you really want indexed -- http://www.rivbike.com/products/show...-mounts/17-068

I like free 08-03-10 05:46 AM
Perfect thanks

Fred Smedley 08-03-10 09:10 AM
eight speed has the same cable pull , just use your limit screws.

Guest1209283 08-03-10 09:19 AM
Originally Posted by Fred Smedley (Post 11222565)
eight speed has the same cable pull , just use your limit screws.
+1

I did the same thing and I'm just using 8 speed indexed shifters. If you set your limit screws right it just prevents the shifter from clicking into the last position. Works great. I'm using these.

Grand Bois 08-03-10 10:11 AM
The cable pull is not the same, but it's close enough. They sold 8 speed shifters as 7/8 speed when they first came out. I've been using Ultegra 8 speed shifters on a 7 speed cassette for years without ever missing a shift.

fuzz2050 08-03-10 12:03 PM
if you want friction, just about any shifter made will work. Shimano works great, Suntour, Campy, Simplex, take your pick.

I like free 08-03-10 08:27 PM
Thanks guys, gives me some more options

Jeff Wills 08-03-10 08:35 PM
Originally Posted by Grand Bois (Post 11222975)
The cable pull is not the same, but it's close enough. They sold 8 speed shifters as 7/8 speed when they first came out. I've been using Ultegra 8 speed shifters on a 7 speed cassette for years without ever missing a shift.

Nope, wrong. 7-speed was sold as 6/7-speed when Shimano first offered indexing bar-ends. (There was a little plastic shim to change the cable pull for 6-speed.) For eight-speed, there were 2 versions: Dura-Ace and everything else. 9-speed was standard across the board, and there's been 2 versions of 10-speed: one with friction option, 1 without.

I tried doing the opposite: using 7-speed shifters on an 8-speed cassette. I couldn't get it to shift correctly across the cassette. It's probably got something to do with free play and shifting tolerances.

Fred Smedley 08-03-10 09:25 PM
Originally Posted by Jeff Wills (Post 11227252)
Nope, wrong. 7-speed was sold as 6/7-speed when Shimano first offered indexing bar-ends. (There was a little plastic shim to change the cable pull for 6-speed.) For eight-speed, there were 2 versions: Dura-Ace and everything else. 9-speed was standard across the board, and there's been 2 versions of 10-speed: one with friction option, 1 without.



I tried doing the opposite: using 7-speed shifters on an 8-speed cassette. I couldn't get it to shift correctly across the cassette. It's probably got something to do with free play and shifting tolerances.
I am running three bikes with seven speed thumbies on eight speed cassettes. A DX a XT, and a Suntour Expert all with Shimano Derailleurs and cassettes . No problems . Shimano 7 pulls 2.9mm of cable, shimano 8 pulls 2.8.

Grand Bois 08-03-10 09:44 PM
Originally Posted by Jeff Wills (Post 11227252)
Nope, wrong. 7-speed was sold as 6/7-speed when Shimano first offered indexing bar-ends. (There was a little plastic shim to change the cable pull for 6-speed.) For eight-speed, there were 2 versions: Dura-Ace and everything else. 9-speed was standard across the board, and there's been 2 versions of 10-speed: one with friction option, 1 without.

I tried doing the opposite: using 7-speed shifters on an 8-speed cassette. I couldn't get it to shift correctly across the cassette. It's probably got something to do with free play and shifting tolerances.
Not wrong, in fact they're still being sold that way:

Shimano Ultegra 8 Speed Bar-end Shifters LD801 $84.95
These permit switching between indexed and friction shifting.
Complete with cables, housing and down-tube cable stops for attachment to down-tube braze-ons. If your bike doesn't have the braze-ons, you also need to buy a pair of clamp-on cable stops.

The 7-speed units are no longer available, but the 8-speed shifters actually work quite well with 7-speed cassettes, especially with modern rear derailers.

Jeff Wills 08-03-10 11:39 PM
Originally Posted by Grand Bois (Post 11227731)
Not wrong, in fact they're still being sold that way:

Shimano Ultegra 8 Speed Bar-end Shifters LD801 $84.95
These permit switching between indexed and friction shifting.
Complete with cables, housing and down-tube cable stops for attachment to down-tube braze-ons. If your bike doesn't have the braze-ons, you also need to buy a pair of clamp-on cable stops.

The 7-speed units are no longer available, but the 8-speed shifters actually work quite well with 7-speed cassettes, especially with modern rear derailers.
As I said- the 7-speed units wouldn't work for me on an 8-speed cassette. They can put anything they want in their ad copy.


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