Barcon indexing with VO Belleville
 

Does anyone have experience using Ultegra 8 speed Barcons with Velo Orange Belleville Handlebars or similar non drop bars? I'm trying to build a Peugeot Mixtie with modern index shifting with a Pouter type look. I have seen the occasional reference to non drop bars influencing index shifting. Before I order the barcons I would like to know if the indexing will work since I already spread the dropouts and update the wheels and hub.

I cannot imagine how indexing can be affected by handlebar style... unless the idea is that your knee will hit bar end shifters on those bars... what is the theory behind this?

I'm not sure, and I wouldn't have even considered it if I hadn't read a review posted by a user of the barcons. Basically they stated that they were using mustache handle bars and had wrapped the cables so that they exited near the stem. At first they worked with some difficulty then they became more difficult so they switched to friction. Their assumption was that the handle bars and the tape had affected indexing.

I have looked at many other reviews that stated that the index worked perfectly all with drop bars, or I have found others who use various shapes of handle bars but prefer friction. Rivendell sells the Ultegra barcons and states they work ok with 7 & 8 speeds but if ok isn't good enough switch to friction and of course Grant is a friction fan so that doesn't really tell me much.

With Bar end shifters you will be using handle bar tape wrapped rather than grips
as the housing stop in the shift lever pod lays right on the surface of the bar .
laying the handlebar housing down then, sliding a grip over it is a PIA best avoided.

How much you tape down is up to you.

'ultegra' is the 8 speed . 'dura ace' the 9 speed version. about same quality ,
the detents are closer together on the 9 speed
8 speed just added a cog to the 7 speed spacing.

I run Mustache bars on 1 bike, I tape them down
just like I do on my drop bar touring bike
the housing comes out from under the tape where I have the brake lever band
around the bar, so half way around the curve.

I have moustache bars with bar ends. The housing taped all the way up until the stem and shifting is fine. If you do it with drops, the bend is more severe and shifting can be effected. I imagine the bends are less sever with the belleville.

Yeh the Belleville doesn't have a lot of curve there sort of shaped like a staple. So I guess I'll go ahead and find a pair of Ultegra barcons, thanks for the input.

There isn't really any levels of bar end shifter. Shimano makes one for each index system (7,8,9,10 speed) at 'Dura Ace' level. Of course, because there is nothing to compare it to, it doesn't mean much. Just make sure you have one that indexes with your cassette..

Also, make sure that you have the 'road' Belleville bar, VO makes two versions, and bar end shifters will only work on the 'road' diameter bar.

You shouldn't have any trouble with taping, the Belleville isn't a moustache bar; they have one primary hand position at the sweeps, they aren't really made to be held on the straight section. Just route the bar end cable under your grips (or bar tape) and you should have a nice graceful arc.