Dia-Compe Silver1 Bar-End Shifters

Dia-Compe Silver1 Bar-End Shifters are a pair of classic friction shifters for drop handlebars, designed for touring, bikepacking, and long-distance cycling, where simplicity and reliability take priority over indexed shifting systems.

We often talk about “being one with the bike” when riding a fixed-gear hub, but there’s a trick to getting the same mechanical control on a geared bike: friction shifters. Dia-Compe's Power Ratchet mechanism provides clear resistance at the lever, and after a while, the gear positions become muscle memory. There are no fixed clicks—you move the shifter yourself until the chain runs quietly and precisely.

Silver1 is designed by Rivendell Bicycle Works in the USA and is part of its Silver series of components, where function, durability, and simple mechanics take center stage. The left shifter is used for a 2- or 3-speed front derailleur, and the right shifter works with Shimano drivetrains up to 10-speed. Since the shifters use friction, they don't need to match Shimano's various indexing systems. SRAM rear derailleurs, however, are not compatible with this model.

The shifters are mounted at the end of compatible drop handlebars. Dia-Compe specifies an inner handlebar diameter of 19–22 mm, so measure the handlebar ends before ordering.

Quick Specs

• Type: Bar-end shifters / friction shifters
• Shifting: Non-indexed / friction
• Mechanism: Dia-Compe Power Ratchet
• Quantity: One pair, right and left
• Left: For 2- or 3-speed front derailleurs
• Right: Up to 10-speed Shimano
• SRAM: Not compatible
• Mounting: At the end of drop handlebars
• Inner handlebar diameter: 19–22 mm
• Material: Aluminum
• Weight: Approximately 168 g per pair
• Finish: Silver