MTB Shifters on Drop Bars

[@tomcruz3774]

Nice setup. I think I remember someone using 31.8mm front derailleur clamps to mount mtb shifters.

[@albireo-d1b]

I think a tried and tested combination for many years on drop bar bikes is a triple chainset with bar end shifters. Friction or indexed they work well. Not sure if the bar flare I can see on the video is outward or still parallel to top tube, if so then no issue in positioning. This still gives freedom of bike lever choice too. Several british touring bikes were very successful in using this setup. It just works well and is very flexible in component choices. Fairly low cost too.

[@scottatkins8381]

Love to see that you made a video on this! Thanks Jeremy!

[@Henrywildeberry]

You're welcome. I hope it's helpful. Not all handlebars are the same and there is still some tweaking to make these better, but it works for now.

[@tonyhawkins1258]

You are not an oddball you are just well informed and can see that we are being sold short by the industry again!

[@racer-vl5cj]

Wolf Tooth make some that fit Shimano 11 speed shifters for 31.8 diameter bars. Works well for a 2X setup with drop bars.

[@billwinnenberg2003]

Been using the Paul adapter that allows you to mount your rear mtb shifter on a drop bar now for a few years. Use it on a Flaanimal with a 1x. Love it…

[@sagehiker]

Love the layout of the friction shifters and you are not entirely the Lone Ranger on MTB 3X that can eat up long distance and grind up the the mountains. I am putting VO Crazy Bars on a tour frame hybrid originally 3x7 and going friction shifting. Rando rack up front. 97 Scott Santa Cruz that will take 42 700c with future fenders. 47-49 mm bare, so it was a bit ahead of its time.

[@recyclespinning9839]

I might want to do a drop bar conversion on my 90s mountain bike, making it a touring machine . This makes it able to use the existing shifter. I'd just need the brake levers and drop bars. Thanks for tip .

[@cobykluth1878]

Hw: wanna see mtb shifters on drops? Me: Who wouldn't?😂

[@jptrainor]

Shimano road and mountain shifters and rear derailleurs are compatible below 9 speed. Front road shifters are not compatible with front mountain derailleurs. In my case it was cheaper to get a new road front derailleur to put in my mountain bike conversation with microshift road shifters. The shiftmate gizmos are expensive unfortunately.

[@ericpmoss]

I want quality guidonnet brake levers and pursuit bars like the old Mavic cow horns. My joints just don’t like typical MTB bars. I also wish I could get the old Mavic butterfly MTB shifters in 9-12 speed. Those were the best things ever.

[@CudderMC]

very cool build!

[@Henrywildeberry]

Thank you!

[@dougpeterson3356]

Two videos from the same spot. Good use of time.

[@Henrywildeberry]

Efficiency is our top priority here at the HWB Studios.

[@hope2someday691]

After a major knee injury I am no longer able to stand and pedal. A triple is my friend when riding in mountainous regions. I still managed a 12,000 mile year being seat bound (12,186). A triple made it possible.

[@Henrywildeberry]

Nice work! Many professional cyclists rarely hit that mark.

[@JordiMoll]

I have the same set Up. If It works for you it's ok. Forget the mainstream marketing and the people. ⭐

[@StayZero556]

You’re not that odd, I run a 3x on my gravel bike. I went with MicroShift for my particular setup, though.

[@TurcoKeremit]

Can you drop a link of the items?

[@dctruckguy]

I run 1x9 boxtwo drivetrain. They sell those clamps also.

[@haemstah]

Dixna Cross Bandy 2 has a good 31.8 section.

[@bengt_axle]

An emerging trend for GDMBR and other types of gravel rides is a mountain bike with dropped bars (e.g. Salsa Fargo). What is your opinion of this geometry and setup? I can understand it is to get to use a larger tire volume, but are there any other pros and cons to think about?

[@raul0ca]

Like Jacquie Phelan's bike?

[@Henrywildeberry]

While I haven’t ridden the GDMBR I can say there are always pros and cons, and that’s why the Tour Divide is so interesting to follow. A big part of the race is choosing your own equipment and learning how to keep it going. As we saw in this year’s edition of the Tour Divide being the strongest rider wasn’t necessarily a formula for success. I do think a MTB is a good choice, but to do a drop bar conversation will depend on how long the top tube is and whether the reach will work. Modern MTB geometry is all over the place, so it’s difficult to generalize, but the higher BB, smaller frame triangles, and slack head tubes with long trail might not be ideally suited to long distance self supported riding on a mostly gravel road course. I’m a big proponent of tire clearance because as I get older the washboard and bumps beat me up faster. A lot of gravel bikes lack in tire clearance in my opinion, especially the carbon frames. The Salsa Fargo is a unique bike in that the geometry is more traditional than some of the newer trail and XC bikes, so it would probably be a good fit with drop bars. My personal preference is a slightly larger frame triangle, so I can use a frame bag, but the longer seat post and option to use a suspension fork could be a nice option. The Fargo HT angle is still pretty slack but not as bad as some of the modern MTB we see now. It might feel a little floppy still if you’re used to riding road bikes? Keep in mind drop bars have the effect of reducing your steering leverage, so it will feel even slower than it would with flat bars. Lots to consider but that’s part of the joy. Thanks for the good questions!

[@bengt_axle]

@@Henrywildeberry Thanks for the thoughful reply. I hadn't thought of all these things -- especially the BB height. I was drawn to it because of the higher stack. With loss of flexibility in the neck, I am looking for a more comfortable alternative on gravel roads.

[@bengt_axle]

@rollinrat4850 Thanks for the insight. Back and neck issues are also a reason why I'm interested in this setup.

[@theramatube]

Exactly what I need. I'm not really into drop bars, but highly into bullhorns instead. Can you tell me what specific type of SRAM shifter you're using? Thanks for the video!

[@Henrywildeberry]

SRAM XO with removable bar clamps (9-speed).

[@theramatube]

​@@Henrywildeberrythanks man. Does it work with Shimano Altus 9 speed rear derailleur?

[@kleacapili3799]

Well thank you for this video or like idea since lever shifters are so damn expensive hahaha. Gonna do this with my rb right now.

[@jamesfiegel9675]

Ms Cool is looking younger all that good biking is the fountain of Youth :)

[@merwenbenakil7537]

Hey, nice set up… I have an internal gear hub Shimano Nexus 8 gears touring bike with flat bar and I want to convert it to drop bar but my concern is the shifter , any tips to share on that way? Maybe on a video …thanks in advance and hello to Mrs Cool ..

[@IamMathenge]

i have a bike extry like that one, an orange giant, 2.125 by 26

[@Barry101er]

Interesting!

[@hugogamelas]

Hey, thanks for the video, Im in the process of doing a similar conversion on a old road bike, can you drop a link for the shifters? Im not sure which of sram triggers have replaceable clamps, in order to use with a 31.8 clamp on road bars!

[@Henrywildeberry]

Excellent! There's a few models with removable clamps (mostly on the higher end stuff). The trigger shifters I used are XO. I'd put in a link but they are out of production now. Bear in mind they are 9-speed. You might be able to use a higher speed, but you'll have to work out the pull ratios and compatibility with different derailleurs. Good luck!

[@andrewamundsen1229]

Do these shifters need to be threaded on before the brake levers and bar tape or do they have an open clamp to attach/remove at any time?

[@Henrywildeberry]

The clamp is hinged so it can be installed after the bar tape.

[@yes-7018]

Where did you get your left-side clamp? Or was it Paul? Looking to mount just a left 2x Shimano I-Spec EV shifter to 31.8 road bar, but Wolf Tooth says their 31.8 mounts are only compatible with right side shifters.. hmmm. Looking for an alternative to a $60 Paul clamp.. I'll take a $20 Kevin Components clamp 8 days/week. Thanks!

[@Henrywildeberry]

Give these a try. www.amazon.com/Funn-31-8mm-Dropper-Compatible-Shifter/dp/B08W4W11RC

[@docthecountryvet6260]

Ms. Cools makes the vid!

[@Super12jared34]

Do you have the name of which clamps you used or where to find them? Thanks

[@peterbedford2610]

Makes sense

[@davidsaxby5400]

Until you panned out I thought you had a park tool stand with you. Then it’s a water pipe or something similar in park tool blue 🤣

[@paddyhartlep8424]

No inline-brakelevers?

[@Henrywildeberry]

Had to make room for the handlebar bag🥲

[@chandrasekardarsh4865]

2:50