Since the forum won't let me search for 7 or 8, I can't find anything on this. Is the spacing the same for 7/8 speed shifters? I'd looking to run some 8 speed bar end shifters on a 7 speed bike if possible. I figure if I just line up 7 of the gears and set my limit screws appropriately it should work out no problem.

And it's for my girlfriend, who isn't into biking yet and still hates friction shifting, so just using them in friction mode is a no-go.

You are exactly correct, if you're talking Shimano.

Tip a New Glarus and think of me...

Some will say that it will not work correctly, but my wife's bike has been set up that way for years and shifts perfectly. There is a slight spacing difference between 7 and 8 speed, but the "wobbly" Shimano top pulley handles it.

Cable tension will keep the shifter from going too far.

Thanks, guys.
Haha, will do. Beer shall be enjoyed in your honor.

It just so happens I just returned from a ride and was already thinking of heading the store for a 6 pack. I'll get some New Glarus Moon Man. Mmm...

I'm using an 8speed SRAM cogset with 7speed SunTour Accushift Plus shifters, and it shifts just fine. Of course, in indexed mode, it won't shift to that biggest cog. (I actually use it in friction mode and it hits all 8. I just tested the index mode to see if it -would- work.)

shimano spent thousands of dollars to get the jockey pulley to wobble just right

Just make sure to lock out the 8th position with the limit screws lest you shift the chain into the spokes. I did that once, but luckily it was on a workstand.

I planned on it. I was actually thinking of having the extra gear be on the bottom end, though. That way, if the worst were to happen, it would just go over the small gear, not into the spokes, and it'll keep the cable/derailer from getting pulled on if she were to shift into the non-existent gear. I think that'll be nice with the bar ends too because then you'll never have to have to use the shifter in the farthest/more difficult position(not that it's at all difficult, but just as a matter of comparison).

Give it a nice spin around one of the lakes.

I think it would be better to have the 8th gear be the one that doesn't work. If the limit screws are set correctly it won't even be possible to notice the missing 8th gear because the shifter won't be able to move past the 7th, as it will be constrained by the cable being tight. It will be just like having a 7-speed shifter.

If the extra gear is the first position on the shifter, it will be possible to shift into it, and nothing will happen except for the cable becoming slack and possibly snagging on something.

I've got an old Deore RD with a Shimano 7spd freewheel and 8 speed Shimano bar cons on my Voyager and was just fiddling with it yesterday. For the most part it shifts OK but I get a little chain chatter on the last two (smaller cogs) on the freewheel when I'm on the big ring in front. I can't seem to adjust it out totally but I guess it is tolerable. Mid range gears are fine. The 8th gear (relaxed position on the lever) is the "non-gear".

Did Shimano ever make a set of 7 speed index barcons? I've given some thought of swapping my Durace 8 speed levers for a set of 7 speed Accushift if there are no Shimano 7 speed levers available. I'm using Accushift with a Suntour Derailleur and Shimano HG cassette on another bike and it is smooth as silk.

Pre 9 speed Dura Ace shifters won't work properly with anything but pre 9 speed Dura Ace derailers. The cable pull is different from the rest of the line. My Ultegra bar end shifters came with a tag on them that said that they won't work with Dura Ace, but they were marketed as 7/8 speed shifters.

If you don't believe me, check Sheldon Brown.

Mixing Suntour and Shimano is an even worse idea.

I have some bikes set up with 8-sp shifters and 7-sp clusters, both bar-ends and flappy brake levers. Also, 7-on-7-sp of each type for comparison. You are welcome to try them out if you like. I'm on the east side, near East High School, not far from Tenney Park.

(There are also about a dozen English 3- and 5-speeds here if you really want to roll your sleeves up.)

Regards,

Maybe you're overthinking this or maybe you haven't worked on derailer bikes much. The stop screw on the derailer is what keeps it from going into the spokes. It has nothing to do with the shifter. When the screw is against the stop, the shifter can't move any farther because of cable tension.