Very stupid or genius idea.

[Gregag]

I don't like brifters, I don't really like bar ends and on this frame the downtube shifters are quite a reach and up skittle balance a tadge.

So I had a 3am in the morning idea. Photos below. Yes it looks stupid now and it will probably look stupid finished but is it genius or still just stupid?

Basically the lower silver bars will be cut to an appropriate length and bar end shifters put on the new ends. This will mean the gear changers will be within easy reach of the main handlebars. Being on another stem below the main stem it is secure, reliable and accessible and perhaps more importantly undoable.

At the end of the day I am probably too old to care about looking stupid, and comfort is king and we are only here but a short time so what the hell!

 

[Lucidone]

Interested to see how you get on with this - like the thinking!

 

[legrandefromage]

calling @The History Man

 

[Gregag]

It is easy to do and easy to undo, we have the technology we can rebuild it.

 

[legrandefromage]

 

[grantoury]

Dia Compe make this:

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/gear-shifters/diacompe-ene-wing-shift-levers-pair/

 

[CassidyAce]

Wouldn't using a variation on a handlebar extender bar be slightly less, er, ugly? Some of THM's builds are perhaps best regarded as, well... Warnings from history rather than inspirational.

Edit: the Dia Compes would be better, surely?

 

[Gregag]

Dia Compe make this:

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/gear-shifters/diacompe-ene-wing-shift-levers-pair/

View attachment 902442

I'd seen those, but I plan on using modern "gravel bars" so the shifter would end up tucked under and tricky to access.

 

[Gregag]

View attachment 902438

Not quite like that there will only be a lower bar as a fixing for sideways mounted bar end shifters within finger reach of the main bar.
I suspect that was done by tight parents wanting to get 3 kids out of one bike add any time.

 

[Gregag]

Wouldn't using a variation on a handlebar extender bar be slightly less, er, ugly? Some of THM's builds are perhaps best regarded as, well... Warnings from history rather than inspirational.

Edit: the Dia Compes would be better, surely?

Extender bar, that is the thing that modern kids put all their electronics, sat nav, iPhones etc etc on.
My plan is that the shifters are below the main bar so in finger reach just down.

All this reads like I am just going to darn well do it anyway.