STI v Downtube shifters

Brilliant bit of DIY there, never seen that before, cheers for the link.

Too many options....started with two...STI & DT and now I have 3 bar end....this is a good conversation.

From looking online...looks like bar end shifters can have the cable run totally under the bar tape with no Ill effects on gear changing efficiency or smoothness. The cable exits the bars about 2cm from the stem....Anyone agree or disagree with this view point?

I can't say I've noticed any difference in shifting performance between having the cables run all the way under the tape or having the cables come out at the front of the drops. I've only ever used them on other people's bikes, mind; I guess as the cables wear the tighter bends of the under-tape routing might make a difference, but as you say it doesn't seem to be a major issue.

I'd agree. Mine was setup like that for years.

So leaning towards bar end shifters with cables under the bar tape looks neater and be easier to get on and off trained and allow a bar bag to be used with less problems....SJS have a good deal on them atm..about £58 plus postage.

Only sliightly annoying thing with my bar end setup is that the lever touches the TT and changes gear if the bars swing around.

Oh and changing gears with my knee
Which can also be an upside

How common is this? Is it a problem or a minor annoyance? Lever touching the TT and changes gear.

Nah, downtube shifters all the way. But get the dura ace 7800 series. They can be set both indexed and friction (the rear derailleur). worst case scenario you can use any rear wheel, set it to friction and bob's your uncle. bad news is they are really hard to find new. if you find any for sell let me know, I stock them.

I got rid of my bar end shifters for that reason, climbing out of the saddle I occasionally caught the shifter. Then I moved to downtube shifters, once you've got used to reaching down it's really no hassle.

Anh surely you go with cambio corsa shifters and give up changing gear.

Down tube shifters are pretty good. You end up changing gear less which I think is a good thing.

If I use gears (rarely) I prefer downtube to have less cables and a cleaner bike. Toured with then loads a few years back.

I have two visible bruises and a slight cut on my right thigh from this weekends off-road ride with bar-ends. Still recommend them.

Now leaning to DT...for reasons stated above plus I can still use my Berthoud Gilles bar end mirror which is tres chic and very snazzy. I would go 7900 because of 10 speed indexed feature.

The only other shifters I prefer other than 7900 are simplex. If you want indexing 7900 are spot on.

I vote STI

Simplex retrofriction are the best DT shifters of all time, I still use them on two bikes. Mind you, I am so fucking old that using them is instinctive.

The trad solution to BE shifters banging knees is to take an inch or two off the end of the drops with a hacksaw.

What if you have really long knees? Asking for a friend.

Take off an inch or two from the knees with a hacksaw.

I have used Simplex Retrofriction levers and they were the best friction levers I ever tried but although I wish to stick with DT (if I go that route)...I am not sure whether you can use them with 10 speed.

Yes, I have.

And how did it go? Smoothly? Could access all 10 gears with ease? I have only used Retrofriction levers with 7 gears....I looked on line...most people seemed to struggle beyond 7 speed...though not all... probably safer to stick with SL7900?

I was fine. What people complain about is the space between gears, really isn't a problem. 7900 friction mode is my second favourite anyway.