David: You may be able to convert to DT without changing all the tape.
First, check your shift levers - sometimes the same lever is used for bar ends as DT. Or of course just use a set of DT levers. Second, depending on how the bars are taped, you may be able to pull the cable housing out without loosening the tape. This works if only a bit of the cable at the end (maybe 1" or so) is taped over. If not, you may be able to cut the tape where it goes around the brakes, unwind to remove the housing, and re-wind. You can hide all kinds of things under the hoods (tape loose ends down with electrical tape, etc). IME, DT works great for unloaded riding. As you've noted, most riding is done in a relatively small range. My Atlantis is triple with 8 speed. The bulk of my riding is on the large ring (44) and the 16-18-21 in back (middle of cogs). The middle (34) ring gets it's share of use as I live in a hilly area. Unloaded I seldom need anything lower than the 34 x 24. This bike is set up with bar ends because I do loaded tours & I've found bar ends to be the preferable location for that service. I'm clumsy, and with a load I'm a bit unbalanced reaching down to shift. And with a load, I shift a lot more and use all the gears. Side bar: I figured it out one time & I've only got 14 or 15 actual different gears, & not the "24 speeds" a triple with 8 speed is in theory. DTs sure look a lot cleaner than having cable housings hanging off the front of the bike. But my bike is junked up with a small handlebar bag, a big rear rack, & a saddlebag, so it's pretty cluttered looking anyway. I'm in the process of collecting parts for a day-tripper that I intend to keep clean & simple, and it will have DT shift levers. dougP -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brooklyn Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 7:02 AM To: RBW Owners Bunch Subject: [RBW] Re: Shifter location HIi all, On my year-old Atlantis I had it built with bar ends, because I have exprience with them on an ol road bike. However, I am a bit sorry that I did not have the bike built with DT shifting. Fisrt of all, I have a tendency to bump the shifters when I am straddleing the bike. This has lead to me knocking the chain off the front cogs twice with on serious chain suck incident wich resulted in me having to remove the crank to free the chain and to do some toucb up paint work on an otherwise pristine bike. And I had to take the subway home!! ugh. Also I fine that I rarely shift anyway--I only use about 3 or 4 of my umpteen grears and I never use the innermost chaining of my tripple crank. There are few mountains in Brooklyn and Long Island where I ride. When its time to change the bar tapes, I might consider a re- organization. Have a great Thanksgiving--I hope to go for a ride weather permitting this week end. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
