Bicycle Mechanics - Possible stupid question about shifters

It might sound stupid, but I'm not familiar with mechanical part compatibility on bikes...so I was basically wondering if a 9speed MTB shifter set would work fine with a 7 speed shimano cassette.

Basically I want to try out trigger shifters since i'm sick of having to shift my grip to use the knob shifters I have currently. Bad part is I can't seem to find 7-speed trigger shifters. If they can be used, is there any tricks I have to know about how they have to be ajusted, etc?

yes it will 'work' fine, just make sure the limiters are set ok, and remember not to use 8th or 9th

is there any easy way to lock out 8 and 9th..well..other than cablestops? Just trying to see iff i can idiot proof it from myself :rolleyes:

yes it will 'work' fine, just make sure the limiters are set ok, and remember not to use 8th or 9th

No. That's bad advice. A seven speed cassette has different spacing so a nine speed shifter will shift into kind of random gears. It'll shift into some, skip some and generally just a lot of noise. It won't work.

9 speed shifters are not compatible with 7 speed cassettes. Your best bet is to pick up 7 speed shifters on ebay. They're pretty cheap.

The 9 speed shifter won't work because the spacing is different. You could use an 8 because the spacing is the same but why bother? Use the correct part.

Sweet bikepartsUSA has a new set of shifter/vbrake combo units for $32/pr.

I'm probably going to go for those. At hte least it gives me more parts to put in that box in my closet :)

Alternatively, use ANY shifter which has a friction mode, and don't sweat the compatibility thing. :)

I know...but there's something to be said about how nice indexed shifting is :)