from Rookie’s keyboard,
Hello, friends
The truth is that new technology is not always better or needed. Sometimes, you are better off sticking with a previous version for many reasons – money, simplicity, looks…etc.
But in some cases, the new stuff offers little features that could make a fairly big difference.
Bar-end shifters and STI models are an example of this. Bar-ends have been around for a long time (and technically STI too). They work and have their charm.
But the brutal reality is that they aren’t for everyone. In many cases, you would be better off getting the “new” brifters a.k.a. brake-shifters.
Let’s first go over the advantages of bar-ends:
1. Cheaper (sometimes)
Brake-shifters incl. STI are some of the priciest road parts. The more gears you want, the more expensive the shifters get.
Bar-end shifters are not always cheap either, but their price is often lower for the same number of gears.
2. Independence
A good property of bar-end shifters is that they are independent of the brake levers and give you the freedom to choose almost any brake system.
The can choose between – short-pull and long-pull levers.
Meanwhile, brake-shifters work only in short-pull mode because they’re designed specifically for road bikes.
The pull ratio of brake-shifters makes them incompatible with non-road brakes such as V-brakes.
Bar-end shifters can make a V-brake conversion a reality because they operate independently of the shifters and can thus be combined with V-brake-ready long-pull drop levers (e.g., Tektro RL520).
Another benefit is that you can shift even when the brake levers are damaged.
3. Friction Shifts
Friction shifters are silent and unrestricted – they go as far as the rider wants them to.
It’s up to the cyclist to determine how much to move the shifter to switch to another gear.
Index shifters (modern), on the other hand, make a clicking sound and pull/release a pre-determined amount of cable with each click.
This makes shifting easier because you don’t have to fine-tune each shift.
Most bar-end shifters use friction shifting at the front (chainrings) and index or friction shifting at the back. (Some models allow you to switch between the index and friction option when installing the shifter.)
Many like front friction shifters because they allow you to “trim” the front derailleur and stop the chain from rubbing against the derailleur’s cage.
There are fewer chainrings (only 2 on road bikes) than there are rear gears, and it doesn’t take a lot of guessing to shift between the chainrings via a friction shifter.
If the limit screws on the front derailleur are adjusted properly to prevent the chain from falling due to an over-shift, front friction shifting is smooth and quick.
At the ear, however, index shifting is supreme because there are many cogs with tight spacing.
Another strong benefit of friction shifting is the option to combine all kinds of bike parts.
You can use a rear MTB derailleur on a road bike regardless of rear shift ratios because you can make fine adjustments to the derailleur’s position when the shifter is in friction mode.
4. Simplicity Is The Key To Brilliance
Bar-end shifters are less technologically advanced than STI. They use fewer parts and rarely malfunction. If you run them in friction mode, they are as reliable as a shifter can be.
They may need occasional cleaning lubrication, but other than that, they’re expected to operate without maintenance for a long time.
Brifters are more complicated and difficult to repair because there’s a multitude of small parts involved in the mechanism.
There’s a shortage of replacement parts on the market. Often the only option is to buy a broken second-hand brifter and use it as a donor for parts.
5. Protection
The position of bar-end shifters behind the curves make them safe during a head-on collision.
Meanwhile, brifters would be the first point of contact in a similar accident
But bar-end shifters are vulnerable if the bike falls to the side.
6. Basket/Handlebar bag Clearance
The levers of brifters move laterally to shift. Subsequently, the shifting motion limits the width of the basket or bag that can be installed on the bars.
Bar-end shifters are far away from that zone, and the brake levers that they’re coupled with do not have to move laterally because they don’t shift.
And now the MAJOR downsides:
1. Shaky
The ultimate downside of bar-end shifters is their location. To shift, you have to move your hands away from the hoods and subsequently the brakes.
The shifting motion isn’t as delayed as that of downtube shifters, but it definetely affects your stability and balance.
2. Seated Shifting Only
You can’t use bar-ends when riding out of the saddle.
3. Steering Is Compromised
When shifting, you will be applying force to the extremities of the handlebars – the points with the greatest steering leverage. As a result, the shifting process can potentially harm the bicycle’s balance.
With practice, this effect is minimized to the point where experienced users do not consider it an issue.
3. Poor Clearance
Sometimes cyclists hit their legs with narrower drop bars even without bar-end shifters installed.
When you add bar-ends, the likelihood of contact increases even further, especially during tight turns. You could get small bruises too.
4. Other can see your next move
Every time you shift, those around you can see what you’re doing. If you’re touring or commuting, this doesn’t matter, but in a race, your shifting can give valuable insight to your rivals about your physical state and plans.
5. Cable & Housing Routing Issues
There are two ways to route the cables and housing of bar-end shifters.
- Mid-way exit
A common choice is to have the cable housing out of the bars mid-way right before the hoods.
- Full-length
Some prefer to run cable housing all the way to the stem.
Regardless of the utilized option, it is difficult to keep the cable housing of bar-end shifters super slick.
6. Limited Options
Bar-end shifters are popular on the Internet, but offline, few cyclists know of them.
Due to the low demand, in some countries, it’s difficult to find a pair in a local bike shop.
7. No Bar-end Accessories
Bar-end shifters prevent the installation of other accessories such as a bar-end mirror.
The downsides above are pretty strong in modern settings. I am all for old-school shifters (I use downtube models), but I understand that most rookies will be better of going with new school options for the reasons below:
1. Speed, Control, and Safety
STI were revolutionary as they allow you to switch gears without taking your hands away from the brakes/hoods.
The result is stability and safety that bar-end and downtube shifters fail to offer.
Brake-shifters also make it possible to shift while riding out of the saddle or braking.
2. Sleek Designs
Brake-shifters combine brake levers and shifters in one neat package. This gives the bike a unified, clean look.
3. Higher Resale Value
The average cyclist isn’t enthusiastic about learning how to use bar-end and downtube shifters, especially in friction mode.
Most people consider cycling a leisure activity rather than a hardcore sport and prefer the operation of the machine to be as simple as possible.
Thus, a bike with brake-shifters holds its price better on the second-hand market.
4. You Can Use a Bar-end Mirror
Brake-shifters allow you to install bar-end accessories such as a mirror. I like that.
Of course, STI have their downsides:
1. Expensive
Brake-shifters are often the most expensive component on a road bike. If you’re looking for STI shifters with a greater number of speeds, you will have to pay a decent chunk of money.
Therefore, many entry-level road bikes come with other forms of shifters (e.g., models mounted on the flat part of the bars). The companies do it to keep the costs low.
2. Difficult to Repair
As noted, brifters have intricate engineering that includes many small components that must function together seamlessly.
If one part malfunctions, it can affect the entire system. Given the challenging access to the inners of the shifter, it’s easy to see why many people are not enthusiastic about servicing brifters.
The good news is that a high-quality set of brifters typically does not require frequent maintenance. They can operate well for years. Occasionally, cleaning may be necessary, but this process is straightforward and can be accomplished with just a can of WD-40 and a cloth.
3. Only Short-pull Brakes
As mentioned, brifters work solely with short-pull brakes.
Table Summary
| Bar-end Shifters | – | Brake-shifters | – |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
| Simple and reliable | Slow | Fast | Expensive |
| Back-up friction shifting | Unstable | Stable | Difficult to service |
| Independent from the brake levers | Outdated look | Precise | Shortage of replacement parts |
| Allow the use of V-brakes | Poor thigh and knee clearance | Clean cable routing | No friction shifting |
| Retro appearance | Clunky cable routing | Good for racing | Reduced clearance for baskets and handlebars |
| Good for touring | Not good for racing | Work with bar-end mirrors | |
| Do not work with bar-end mirrors |
In conclusion
Context is critical. But in many cases, people are overhyping old-school gear a little too much. The truth is that most bar-end shifter use them for the friction mode and the ability to combine them with any brake system.
Without those properties, bar-ends have only downsides for the most part.
And if you are after speed, STI (or an equivalent) is unbeatable.
Until next time,
Rookie
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