spudston

I have trigger shifters mounted on my Kalloy trekking bars. They are as far down towards the stem as I can get them to slide due to the shift indicators binding on the bar's curve. They are in my way when I grip the bar tops. I've thought of replacing them with twist shifters but since the rear indicator doesn't work anyway perhaps I can just cut the indicators off? This should allow them to slide farther down out of the way. This seems like an easy task with a Dremel but if anyone has any suggestions as to how to make the cut neat and water/dust proof I'd like to hear them. Here's a photo taken before I wrapped the bars. The lower triggers are what I'm bumping into.



Also, does anyone have any suggestions regarding alternative shifters that don't get in the way?

jimc101

The only way you can get them off is by cutting them, which will leave a nasty ugly hole which you will need to cover with some tape or similar.

If you get the current SLX or XT models, these have removable indicator windows, and come with covers to place over the holes when not being used.

You can see this in the tech doc https://techdocs.shimano.com/media/te...9830646706.pdf

Old Hammer Boy

How about moving them down, next to the brake levers on the flat part of the bars? You may have to use different grips, or even cut some (shorter) to provide enough bar space for the shifters. I use a treking bar on my touring bike along with pure friction shifters located right next to the brakes and they work great there. I had some old Sugino thumb shifters and couldn't be happier. Also, I ride with my hands on the grips about 90% of the time. I'd hate to have to reach up so far every time I want to shift. You can see my set-up at www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/dean

spudston

Thanks for showing your set up. I originally tried the shifters next to the brakes but I had the same problem with the triggers interfering with my hands. Also they looked terrible with the indicators and pods hanging out there and cable routing was a real problem too. I use the tops and bottoms of the bars about equally. At first I thought the shifting was awkward (when riding on the grips) but now I'm so used to it I don't give it any thought. I like to stretch out on the tops when I'm in a low traffic area where I don't expect to need to jump on the brakes, and also when climbing when I need to shift more often.