Shimano Dura-Ace SL-BSR1 11-Speed Bar End Shifters Review

We’re proud to say that we still believe in mechanical shifting. And even though Di2 makes sense for when you’re locked into the time-trial-tuck, you simply can’t beat the feeling and reliability of ‘real’ shifting. That’s why the Shimano Dura-Ace SL-BSR1 11-Speed Bar End Shifters are the perfect addition to your wind-cutting steed. The aesthetics are stunning, the feel is unparalleled, and even better, all of the new additions work symbiotically to achieve the perfect harmony between your body and the bike. It’s too easy to go on and on about the SL-BSR1’s 11-Speed shifting option, and while it adds a powerful advantage over the field, we know that the new Dura-Ace shifters can’t be defined by one feature.AADwarfing all other advancements, however, is the shifting itself — this is where Shimano’s ‘Rider-Tuned’ philosophy really makes itself known. This is the title given to Shimano’s campaign of providing you the best rider-experience of your life. Throughout the group, every component has been given little custom touches, but the levers have received several. The the required effort has been lessened by around 47% for the rear derailleur and 43% for the front derailleur. In tandem with the reduced stroke, the shifting experience has been minimized to light touches that pit mechanical and Di2 shifting speed toe-to-toe against each other. Not surprisingly, the mad scientists at Shimano weren’t satisfied with simply making the smoothest mechanical shifting in their history. Instead, the bar was set even higher, and Shimano aimed to make the shifting effort seamless across every sprocket of the cassette. That’s right, effort has been equalized, regardless of if you’re moving across the bottom or moving across the top of the cassette. Even more obsessive, Shimano decided to also equalize the actual feeling of shift throughout the cassette.