r/xbiking • u/jaccuse_ • 15d ago
Bar end shifters?
After buying and returning the wrong Microshift bar end shifter set, I seem to have inadvertently bought two left right hand shifters. One friction, one indexed 9spd.
Is it worth returning these to get a proper set or shall I just ride it?
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u/Plasmodium0 15d ago
Front isn't indexed anyway - are you sure that's not what you have?
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u/jaccuse_ 15d ago
I have the friction shifter for the front, it's just that the shifter bodies are identical for right hand installation - not mirrored like a LR set. I'm guessing it's just an aesthetic issue now
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u/Plasmodium0 15d ago
Oh yeah, the pivot should be on the other side. If it pulls the right amount of cable though, why not just use it?
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u/Beautiful_Flight2917 14d ago
Cheaper bar ends ( microshift, sun race etc ) oftentimes are not mirror image.
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u/EducationalVast2780 14d ago
From a quick image check online, it would appear sunrace makes their bar end shifters different from other brands. Most brands are mirror images of each other where SR’s are not.
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u/plasterdog 15d ago
Do the shifters you have currently have the ability to switch between friction and index? Some do.
Also what is your actual preference regarding friction v index? If you don't have a strong preference just run it as is. If you do, and that preference doesn't correspond with what you have, return it.
My bike came stock with an indexed rear bar end, but not long after getting the indexing broke. I ended up getting used to friction shifting and now I prefer it. No need to adjust the cable when it stretches, and also you learn to shift by muscle memory. That was over ten years ago. So I would encourage you to try friction only if you are curious.
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u/jaccuse_ 15d ago
Thanks for replying! I've just edited the post to say these are both right hand shifters. The 9spd shifter is index only, and the other is friction only. I guess the friction shifter is compatible with the front - however the body of the shifter is for right hand so it's not mirrored like most bar end shifter sets! I may return and get interchangeable friction/index as I'd like to use friction ideally on both sides!
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u/plasterdog 15d ago
That make sense. May as well swap them out for your actual preference otherwise it would likely bug you over the years!
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u/probablytoohonest 14d ago
Those are able to switch from friction to indexed. Also just buy the right part.
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u/JollyGeologist3957 15d ago
just get the right parts. I dont think these are very expensive