Downtube shifters have the advantage of simplicity and a shorter cable run. However, they are most useful for road bikes with very aggressive riding position - where the seat is a good bit higher than the bars, and you can just move your hand to the downtube without bending farther.
Bar ends are a plus for more upright riding positions. Look at it this way. If you have to bend further to shift downtubes, whether riding drop or straight bars, then you really should be using bar ends. Nothing says “missed shift” like having to change your riding position or (horrors) actually look for a shifter in the middle of a shift. And… I live on a “relatively flat” bicycle trail, yet find myself shifting all the time. With my road bike, not very aggressive position, downtube shifters, it is a pain to take one hand off the bars, bend over, and reach for the shifter. That’s even if I’m riding the drops. With my Sam and bar ends I just slide my hand back and use the heel of my palm, or little finger, to shift without losing my grip or bending over. On my Homer, I used thumb shifters. For me, not as comfortable as bar ends, but at least I didn't have to take my hand off the bars or my eyes off where I was going. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/5a574036-42bf-49fe-9658-e2297a71b5bfn%40googlegroups.com.
