GRX with Microshift bar end shifters?

Hi all,

I’m currently planning a build so expect lots of questions coming this way!

I’ve got a disc trucker frame that I’m looking to build up to be a tourer, gravel, commuter atb sort of thing and am planning to run a 1x drive chain on it.

At the moment I’m looking at a GRX rear derailleur but for the convenience, the lower cost, and easier maintenance I’m planning on using a bar end friction shifter. I’ve seen Microshift sell a bar end shifter for 11 speed Shimano mtb drivetrains. Would this work okay with the GRX rear derailleur? I saw a Rivendell post talking about how some newer models have been making running a friction shifter harder. I’ve also seen that you can’t really use a clutch on the derailleur when running a friction shifter too?

Any advice on the matter? I’ve always built up old bikes with old components so this new world of proprietary components is proving to be a bit of a minefield for me!

I've run 10 speed Microshift thumbies with a clutched XT M8000 rear derailleur (11 speed) and it was fine both indexed and friction. You get occasional ghost shifts but for my style of riding this isn't a problem.

I run an MS bar end on an 11 speed 105 rear mech, it is set up index at the minute because Liz has been using the bike and HATES friction. The tension is adjustable so would easily hold the clutch. I’m not sure if in friction you could get enough hold to overcome the clutch and still have fine control on the shifter. But worth a try

I use a friction bar end shifter with a clutched mech and it's absolutely fine. The UNO requires absolutely no extra effort to change gears and is as light as a feather to the touch.

Thanks for the comments everyone! Sounds promising

Sorry, what do you mean by UNO?

One of these : https://freshtripe.co.uk/dia-compe-ene-ciclo-uno-bar-end-shifter/

I'll admit they are expensive, but they are very, very nice to use. (And work with literally everything)

Ah yes I have seen those. Yeah, yikes that’s a price tag! What makes them different to other friction shifters?

I’ve been eyeing up the £40 microshift bar ends. I like functionality at a decent price haha

They just work with everything, taking any compatibility issues out. Theyre pricey cos they're a bit niche, and I guess tooling etc costs for the changes needed for said compatibility.

I used to use a Microshift in friction mode for 10 speed for years and was all good, even with a clutch mech, they're just not as smooth to use as they're not ratcheted.

Sure, that’s a fair point!

I’ve also just made the realisation that GRX pull ratio is different to Shimano MTB stuff, say Deore.

Will the microshift Shimano mtb bar ends not work when in indexed mode due to this? I think I’d largely use friction mode but I’d like the option of having indexed…

Grx is road I think, so you'd want the Microshift Road 'insert speed' for indexed I think but I'm not 100% sure.

Correct, their 105 11 compatible one is the kiddy. I got mine off evilbay for £15 or so. The lower speed ones work too f you don’t mind a bit of filing to allow the lever to have more travel. But I think you can only go down to 9 speed.

Super, glad I realised this haha. £15? Second hand or what? Only one I’ve found is £55

Secondhand, I got the front one as well. Searched for ‘microshift’ without the word shifter. Scrolled for hours on end to find them

I feel it's already been answered but +1 for friction to grx working fine. I've had both 10 and 11 speed grx derailleurs (with the clutch on) with a no name 10 speed bar end friction shifter that my lbs had, and have had zero issues with it.

As an extra bonus reason to go with bar end shifters I snapped the lever on it a few months ago whilst touring and it cost me about a fiver to replace as i just took an old shimano downtube shifter and swapped it out, it was a bit of a bodge but I was back on the road in about 10/15 minuites.

Excellent!

Yep, ease of maintenance, trail repairs, and availability/cost is a big part of the reason I want to go friction. Feel like it may take a bit of getting used to, I do love some clicky trigger shifters! But the pros outweigh the cons.

And don't forget in the pros column, the feeling of joy when you do a full cassette sweep in a fraction of a second.

In a slight turn of events I decided to go with a XT M8000 rear derailleur. I’m still undecided about drops or flats and the bike will likely switch between the two regardless at some point in its life. Having the option of using trigger shifters if I ever did swap to flats was the main perk for me. Where as due to GRX having road bike pull ratios I’d be stuck with friction shifting or Brifters. The Microshift Shimano mtb friction shifter is also far easier to come by and will allow me to use either friction or indexed shifting with them. The XT also has a higher cassette range.

I think this all checks out

Sounds sensible. They do do road trigger shifters in 11 speed if that helps... Not used them though.

Interesting to know! I think for ease of finding parts this is my most logical option. Well it’s on its way now, so I’m sure it’ll do the trick!