Bar-end mirror & front down tube shifter?

[nlsteve]

I know the answer to this question may be largely dependent on personal taste & preference, but --

I am now the proud owner of a new Randonee, with help from the REI 20% sale.  I can't put a bar-end mirror on this now because of the bar-cons, and I feel naked without a mirror.  I'm not a huge fan of the other options (helmet & eyeglass mirrors, because they are awkward & can be shaky, or the bigger bar-mounted mirrors because they look like they stop a lot of wind).

I am thinking of moving the left shifter from the bar-end to the down tube, and mounting a bar-end mirror because they're convenient, dependable, and fairly aero. 

What do you think?  Is this a pretty practical choice?  If I do this, anything I need to know about the minor surgery involved?  I haven't really messed with bike components in a couple decades.

Steve

[Twoteller]

I may be totally wrong, but, without braze ons on the frame to mount a downtube shifter, that may be somewhat difficult. It's probably be easier to use a set of dual levers.

[dkoloko]

Clamp-on downtube shifters are available. Chuck Harris eyeglass and helmet mirrors are not shaky.

[DaveB]

Clamp-on downtube shifters are available....

Not for most newer frames with "oversize" downtubes.   An alternative are the Kelly Take-Offs, brackets that lets you mount a downtube or the mechanism from a bar end shifter right under a regular brake lever.  They would free up the bar ends for a mirror.

[Old Guy New Hobby]

Before doing major surgery on your bike, why not try http://www.amazon.com/Bike-Peddler-Cycling-Eyeglass-Original/dp/B000C17M26/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1335120654&sr=8-2. True, it takes some getting used to, but with a small movement of your head, you can scan a larger area than from a bar-end mirror. They aren't at all shaky. It's cheap (especially from E-Bay).

[Rep]

Look around a bit.  I have two bikes each with different mirrors. Here is one option:  http://www.mirrycle.com/mirrycle_mirrors.php I use the Old Style for drop brake levers.

I also have a similar mirror that attaches to my drop using a velcro strip.  Both work fine.

[DanE]

This type of shifter setup was popular for a time among criterium racers. They would only be shifting the rear derailleur and would have the front on the big ring and never shift it. All the shifting would be on the rear and they would never have to move their hands off the bars. Then came integrated brake and shift levers and this setup disappeared.

[RussSeaton]

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=rhode+gear+mirror
Rhode Gear brake lever mirror.  Works very well.  Used one long time ago.  If you are worried about the wind this will catch, then you have more pressing problems to deal with.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=take+a+look+mirror&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7GGHP_enUS367&prmd=imvns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&wrapid=tlif133513260966210&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=6282444138125891355&sa=X&ei=x4GUT-SKBsiAgweD9-DoBA&ved=0CH4Q8wIwAg#
Bike Peddler Take A Look bicycle mirror.  Mounts on eyeglasses or helmets.  The very best mirror there is.  None of the problems you imagined.

By coincidence I happen to have an REI Novara Randonee in the basement.  Friend bought one with the 20% sale recently.  It has braze-ons on the downtube for the cable bosses.  I think these are the same braze-ons for downtube levers.  So you can find a braze-on downtube lever and bolt it onto the bike and shift the front derailleur.  Either use the bar-end shifter for the rear or use down tube lever for the rear and the other braze-on.  $85 for Dura Ace 10 speed downtube braze-on shifter set.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=braze-on+shifter&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7GGHP_enUS367&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=2118984378875202456&sa=X&ei=ZIWUT_jGDsSLgweU2b2GAQ&ved=0CEYQ8wIwBQ#

[driftlessregion]

I think your original idea is a good one. I agree that bar end mirrors are superior.

[staehpj1]

Does the bike have bosses for down tube shifters?  If so it should be easy.  Personally I'd just go with two down tube shifters and ditch both bar end shifters,

[bogiesan]

"Aero" cannot be a criterion on a touring bike running touring doodads.
I look at modifications of this kind this way:
1. Does the cost of trhe mod cancel the presumed sale price of the bike?
2. Does the hassle of the mod require more time and effort than really necessary? Rerouting the cables could be the deciding factor if you must buy a new one.
3. Do I gain any coolness points?
4. Does the mod have any possible downsides like restricting the choice of accessories?
5. Why move only one lever? If you run bar end mirrors, run two. I do and I can't imagine riding Idaho's roads without both of them.
6. Can you get a downtube lever mount kit and levers anodized in a color that makes a suitably cool statement?

[OldZephyr]

I have a Trek 720 with bar ends.  Here is how I put the Mirrycle mirror on my bike without taking off the left bar end shifter (scroll down the page for the picture and description):

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1&page_id=277037&v=1T


I learned this workaround from another cyclist.  I have done this on 3 bikes now with bar end shifters and it works great.  All you need is a reflector clamp, with two holes in it and some bolts. 

Only downside is that you can't brake easily from the drop position, but for me that isn't an issue.

[nlsteve]

Thanks, all.

Appreciate the comments.  I think I will try that eyeglass/helmet mirror a couple of you recommended before doing anything weird to the bike.  But I will consider all your alternatives if that doesn't work for me.

Steve

[Gif4445]

I have the take-a-look eyeglass mirror and love it.  It did take some getting used to, but by the 3rd short ride my eyes had it figured out.  Again, like you said it's personal preference.  But it's easy and cheap, and for me it was much better than a bike mounted mirror.

[nlsteve]

Update from the original poster:

I did pick up the "Bike Peddler Take A Look" mirror recommended by a couple of you, and so far I like it pretty well.  More solid than the last eyeglass mirror I had.  As a note to others, I'll mention that it doesn't attach well to my helmet, but does well on my sport sunglasses.  Thanks again, all.

Steve