Bar end shifters and internal bar diameter

[CavStCav]

I'm looking at buying a pair of Microshift bar-end shifters (link below) and a bullhorn bar, but can't find any info on what internal handlebar diameter these shifters are designed for. Does anyone know what size bar they will fit? The Microshift website didn't list it, and nor do any of the retail websites I've checked.

A few years ago I bought a bar and some bar-end brake levers, only to discover that the internal diameter of the bar was too small. I'm keen to avoid making the same mistake again.

https://www.microshift.com/models/bs-t09/

[slippery bidon]

I havent used microshift but campag & shimano are 22.2mm

[LG]

I've used both shimano and microshift, they are the same. I've just checked some shimano shifters on my calipers and they measure about 19.5mm, which will fit in 22mm bars with a wall thickness of 1mm.

[MattyK]

I havent used microshift but campag & shimano are 22.2mm

That's the external diameter.

Assumption is wall thickness is small, however they're typically designed with an expander plug that can accommodate a wide range of internal diameters.

[CavStCav]

Thanks all. Sounds like I should be good if I stick to a bar with an external diameter of 22.2mm.

[Duck!]

External diameter is pretty well standard, but wall thickness, therefore internal diameter can vary a fair bit. I have a Shimano bar-end shifter at home, I'll measure it tonight to see what its minimum size is. The MicroShift won't be too different.

[baabaa]

Think you will be fine but, if you run into trouble Jagwire made a thing called a bar end pod that went over the bar not inside. They have a allen key lock down and came with a shim to pad out if needed.
They work well and may suit a your bars better than normal bar end shifters - you just swap the moving bits across
Guess you can still find them about - they look like this and came in a few colours.

Also the microshift thumbies are a smooth to use and easy to fit if you ever go flat bar. Have them in the 10 speed variety. Consider to date they are better than the shim dura ace 10 and 11 speed I also run - they come in a variety of road and mountain pulls up to 12 speed for shim and sram.

[Duck!]

Measured the Shimano shifters I have; the minimum bar ID they will fit is 19mm. It's reasonable to expect the MS will be much the same.

Also, what brake levers will you be using? Most, if not all bullhorn types run the cables through the handlebar, which doesn't allow fitting of bar-end shifters.

[MattyK]

Not sue you’d get any bar end brake lever that could be fitted with a bar end shifter (Di2 excepted)

[CavStCav]

I actually just started a new topic asking about that (sorry, bad forum etiquette, I'll go delete the other one).

I currently have Tektro bar end brake levers on another bike which route the cabling under the bar tape. I'm hoping to find something like that, but in a model that clamps around the bar, rather than being a true "bar end" lever. But I can't find anything like that online so far. But frustrating.

[MattyK]

An in-line brake lever like a Tektro RL720 could be used as a bar end in a clamp around style.

However the problem will be that the bar end shifters run the cable externally which will interfere with the brake clamp

[baabaa]

Cross top levers are designed like the stem lamps size so 31.8 mm and 25.4 or 26.0 bars with a shim.
Think you could find enough room for the shifter cable housing to sit snug up next to the brake lever clamp but would question if you could get the levers to clamp down tight enough bar diameter 22 ish mm. ( just checked my salsa halter top levers as metal and think they would work but good luck finding them now)
Paul components make a range a brake levers which would fit but big $$
https://www.paulcomp.com/product-catego ... ke-levers/
Why not just go a flat bar with road thumbies and flat bar/ mtn brake levers?

[CavStCav]

In my head I pictured the cable for the shifter going outside of the clamp for the brake lever, then under the bar tape, but to be honest I hadn't really thought that bit through in detail.

If I wrap the tape from the centre of the bar, towards the bar end, the cable could just slip under the penultimate wrap. (This is all entirely theoretical. Many a cunning plan has been hatched in my head, only to be defeated by reality and the laws of physics).

[CavStCav]

Cross top levers are designed like the stem lamps size so 31.8 mm and 25.4 or 26.0 bars with a shim.
Think you could find enough room for the shifter cable housing to sit snug up next to the brake lever clamp but would question if you could get the levers to clamp down tight enough bar diameter 22 ish mm. ( just checked my salsa halter top levers as metal and think they would work but good luck finding them now)
Paul components make a range a brake levers which would fit but big $$
https://www.paulcomp.com/product-catego ... ke-levers/
Why not just go a flat bar with road thumbies and flat bar/ mtn brake levers?

You raise a very valid point.

Re the flat bar, I'm just a fan of the bullhorn shape. Aesthetically and from a comfort/hand position perspective. In an ideal world I'd run something like the Shimano Metrea bar end brifters, but they are specific to 11 speed and hydraulic disc brake setups, neither of which I have.

https://images.app.goo.gl/L2AttdXHJVEBWmyH7

[baabaa]

Yup - Bullhorns with more than one gear will make things tricky - if you are running a one inch quill stem, IRD Quill Stem Mounts would work.

[CavStCav]

Yup - Bullhorns with more than one gear will make things tricky - if you are running a one inch quill stem, IRD Quill Stem Mounts would work.

Yeah, that's what I have on my other bike. I'm just a bit sick of reaching down to change gear. It's not a big issue, but something I'd like to avoid if possible this time. Plus the new one has a threadless headset.

Oh well, back to the drawing board...

[CavStCav]

Anyone seen these before? Looks interesting:

http://www.jtekengineering.com/products/aerobrake/

[MattyK]

I was trying to remember jtek last night but forgot and let it go. they would be worth considering, seemds to do what you want.

[CavStCav]

I'm a little confused by the image in that link I posted. Are they using a "pod" type contraption to mount the shifter and the brake lever?

[Duck!]

Looks like the brake lever head by some means incorporates a sleeve nut to replace the stock one, which the lever mount bolt screws into.

[baabaa]

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brake-lever ... d/?geoc=AU
so it replaces the silver slotted sleeve.

Must admit I like the idea but have found shimano bar end shifters do need to be tight to avoid zombie shifting. Guess the lever pivots free of that but it is making a simple item complex and not sure how it would go in a prang or fall.
The cost per side pod/ levers and then with a set of the shifting part of (shimano only) barcons looks like an expense project for bike looks not function......
Did see on that sjs site shimano now do a flatbar road thumbies which was new info for me.