I used to hate brifters until I rebuilt a 90s MTB

Man I was dead set on bar end shifters for everything. Then I worked on a buddy's old Rockhopper with 3x7 Deore LX. He wanted to keep it original but the shifters were toast. I put on some cheap Microshift brifters and tuned the cable housing length just right. After a 20 mile test ride through some hills I finally got why people love them for quick shifting without moving your hands. Has anyone else had a similar change of heart about a drivetrain part?

3 comments

3 Comments

morgan.logan15d ago

Had the exact same thing happen with an old Stumpjumper. Bar ends were fine for cruising but brifters made climbing so much less annoying when I needed to dump gears fast. Still keep bar ends on my tourer though, got a preference depending on the bike.

grant_allen8515d ago

Bar ends were fine for cruising" - can't agree there, nothing beats brifters for climbing and I don't miss bar ends at all.

alicecooper3d ago

Bar ends on a tourer, that's interesting. Do you find yourself reaching for them less and less on longer rides though, or is it a dedicated control thing? I've got a friend who swears by thumb shifters on his touring bike because he says brifters give him hand numbness after about hour five. Never had that issue myself with Shimano stuff, but he runs Campy and claims it's worse. Curious if you've noticed any hand position fatigue swapping back and forth between the two setups on different days.