Hi all!

I have a question about funky combination of gears I am thinking of:

I want sweptback handlebars for my Long Haul Trucker, I think I will go for the Moon Ergotec ones (625 width, 23 degrees sweep 0 rise).
I like downtube shifters, but I was thinking I could try to fit the bar end shifters I got (stock on LHT, Microshift 9spd) on small and straight bar extenders (like BBB trailmonkey), and put those bar ends on each side of the handlebar bag (Ortlieb). That would give an extra position for my hands, more aero for headwind (but not for long time, because I would be quite overstretched), and possibly make the shifting easier than downtube...?

Has anyone ever tried that? it's impossible to find the diameter of those bar extenders, so not sure I could fit the shifters. Also would need some bar tape on the bar extenders to keep the cables in place, but no big deal.

thanks a lot!

a Friend, a Recumbent bike maker, used bar ends for the brake lever and bored out the end to fit bar end shifters..

added to the ends of a straight bar of the under the seat steering scheme..

Most important, as is the bar end shifter mount wont fit, until you bore them out

(i have seen a special bar end pod, that grips around the bars, typical user, triathlon racer on the Carbon aero bar tips..)


I prefer figure 8 bend Trekking bars, myself. you can adapt theshift levers with Thumbie mounts, Paul comp.






......

I was a store owner/ mechanic for over 12 years and on occasion I have put bar cons on swept back bars. The bars that I typically have used are "north road" ones. Something else I found to be nicer was installing grip shift. You do not even have to move your hand back to shift. Shifting while standing is really nice too. Very few moving parts with grip shift, sort of bomb proof.

That's not what he wants to do.

Thanks fietsbob, that pretty much answers my question. A bit reluctant to bore out the bar ends though. Unlike your recumbent friend, I will put some weight on them (not massive indeed), so not sure that would be overly safe to bore out the bar ends. Will try in store to see if the shifters fit, but at least on the principle, that's doable.

Brian25: grip shifters are a big nono for me. Hate them, impossible to repair (I prefer non-bomb proof stuff that are easy to fix than bomb proof stuff that would be a nightmare to fix. Same reason why I don't have Rolhoff ) And no I wouldn't consider fitting the bar end shifters on the extremities of the handlebar. Way to sensitive to any drop on the ground. I will get a pair of Dura Ace downtube 9spd if my idea doesn't work out.

I ran Nitto Northroads on my LHT for many tours. I cut 1.5 inches off each side for more inside space.





I've now moved the bars to my Surly Troll. No tours on that rigging yet, but it seems just as good.

that's what I have in mind. Not the bar end shifters on the extremities of the handlebar (would be scared of droping the bar or even laying it against a wall), but on bar ends (also called bar extenders I believe), mounted on either side of the handlebar bag. If anyone has ever tried that..?

You have permission to try it, yourself, but using thumb shifters will be simpler....

Head to bike shop and measure with a caliper.

DIY: A caliper is a good tool to have, here's one that's not too pricey.

Check this out:

Definitely would be simpler, but if I end up throwing 50£ on the setup, I will rather get downtube shifters than the Paul's thumbies. Just preference, no rational reason

looks awkward to me personally.

and having ridden dt shifters for decades, with bars like that, I would consider some inexpensive trigger shifters as they are very reliable and just makes quick shifting with hands in proper position easy peasy, and safer in traffic, or climbing steep hills, or rough loose surfaces....

in the end, experiment by all means, but with swept bars, I still see triggers as the best all around.

it can be fun trying diff bike layouts though, and doesnt cost much in the big scheme of things, plus you can resell stuff easily, especially if you buy used in good condition.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/159444.../shares/4gpoY6

I switched out my drop bars for these VO Crazy Bars after my last trip and this was the first set up I tried. For me the distance from the primary riding and braking position to the bar ends was too far and awkward and I am now using this arrangement.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/159444.../shares/42cQ98

Boring out the ENDS will have NO effect on the strength of the bar ends. They need the heavy wall at the end attached to the handle bar where the stress is concentrated. Away from the handle bar end, the wall is far thicker than needed.

You can get a large diameter drill bit, hold it in vice grips, use lots of oil on the drill bit, and turn it in slowly by hand. Clamp the bar end in a bench vice for the procedure. Check the depth of the counter-bore with your calipers, no need to go too deep. Take it slow. I purchased a drill bit set like this for the job: https://www.amazon.com/Hiltex-10005-.../dp/B002GWCBAM

I have bored out the ends of trekking bars for reverse aero brake levers, used in combination with cross-levers to provide more braking positions. Take it slow.