Can you have both bar end gear & brake levers?

I couldnt find a similar thread, so thought it was worth starting one if various options are suggested.

I want to use both gear & brake levers on some bullhorns. Is it somehow possible to get both at the bar ends? Perhaps by using crosstop levers?

Ive not used any bar end levers or crosstops before so am not sure of the feasibility of the cabling.

I have used both bar end shifters and crosstops, although never in this combination, so this is all coming off the top of my head.

I'd imagine that first of all you'll have to find some kind of shims. Crosstop levers are made for either 25.4 or 31.8 mm bars and clamps onto the thicker, centre section of the bar. The grip areas are usually a lot thinner, something like under 24 mm. If you plan to use crosstops you'll have to shim them down so that you can actually clamp them onto the end of the bars.

After that I suppose you can route the cables backwards through the crosstop levers like this:

http://gallery.roadbikereview.com/data/roadbike/500/medium/cross_lever-2.jpg

That way the cable runs in the same direction as the tip of the levers - backwards, and can be covered with bar tape. That leaves the end of the bar open for bar end shifters. I'd imagine you'll have to run the brake levers a couple of centimetres away from the end of the bar, otherwise the crosstop clamps might block off the holes on the bar end shifters where the gear cables exit.

The trouble with crosstops is that the lever position is designed to be gripped with hands horizontal on the flat section of handlebars. You might find there's too much reach to the lever with most of them if you mount them as bar-end brakes.

An easier (although not cheaper) solution would surely just be to buy some STIs?

Although they do look pretty naff on the end of bullhorns. Also, have you considered the ergonomics of bar end shifters on front facing bullhorns? it might mean you're reaching pretty far over the end of the bar to change gear. It might not be particularly comfortable or stable in some riding conditions.

Another option might be to use aero style bar end brake levers and mount some MTB thumbshifters near the bar ends, but i can't see that being any less cumbersome.

What kind of bike is this for? what sort of riding will you be doing?

what was the outcome? i am trying to do the same. i have crosstop brakes levers and a bar-shifter on its way by post. they are for north road style bars. did it work out? can i see some pictures?

I stuck with my DT shifters in the end, but now have bar end brake levers.

you could use a pair of these, but it would end up being pretty pricy!
http://www.hedcycling.com/aerobar-acc/default.asp?content=3rd_Brake_Lever

Had this set up on my roberts lo pro for a while. Had a dia compe friction bar end shifter and cane creek cross top levers on the end of my la 84 bull horns. Had all wires routed under the bar tape. Worked pretty well although as said above the levers aren't really meant to be in that position and they didn't always fill me with confidence..

I'm in the middle of a full c record make over though and switching to downtube friction shifters so will have the dia compe bar end ones available soon if anyone wants them.

Aren't there just bar end leavers for this purpose - ie the clamp around the end rather than in. ?

noticed the chap in this video has exactly the setup I was after.

http://kck.st/hSfdoj

noticed the chap in this video has exactly the setup I was after.

http://kck.st/hSfdoj

that setup looks good

Aren't there just bar end leavers for this purpose - ie the clamp around the end rather than in. ?

I have used cross tops to do this.....and should have read further up the thread....but disagree with the other guy....did it for a while and it worked absolutely fine....think it depends on how big your hands are....try it and see!

its the set-up i now use. im loving it. fits right, works well.

This is not properly cheap but a good solution IMHO