Bicycle Mechanics - Replacing Revoshift shifters by something better

Hello,
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I bought a bicycle 6 months ago. I initially planned to use it during the week-end. I didn't expect to ride it as much as I do now.
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I commute regularly with this bike and unfortunately, I encounter problems with the shifters.

Here is the bike : Decathlon B'Twin 7 (http://fr.decathlon.com/b-twin-7-2009_119_1787686.htm)
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The shifters (Shimano Tourney) had to be replaced 645 miles ago because the indexing didn't work anymore. They put on Revoshift shifters. The bike has 960 miles on the clock now, and the indexing failed again.
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The bike is guaranteed for 2 years. The shop will probably replace the shifters again and again without any problem. However, I'm fed up with those shifters. They're made all of plastic, and I would like something better.
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The cassette has 7 gears. I thought about replacing the Revoshifts with Deore LX thumb shifters. However, I think the Deore shifters are available for 9 speeds cassettes only.
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Could you suggest good thumb shifters usable with a 7 speed cassette and a flat bar ? I don't want to replace anything else than the shifters.

I've searched this website. I've also been on Shimano's website, where I searched for the word Altus which didn't bring back any result. I can't find their 7 speed shifters on their website using the menus.

I've heard about Shimano EZ-Fire 3x7. Are they correctly made or is it another piece of junk like the Revoshifts ?
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Thank you.
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PS : sorry for the Englich mistakes, I'm French.

While I find it hard to believe the indexing failed on your shifters so quickly, here are the 7 speed Shimano trigger shifters you are looking for:

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=857&category=772

I've set up a few bikes with these and used similar 8 speed shifters on my commuting bike for 4 years (~15,000 miles). They are far from junk. Don't be fooled by the price.

BTW, your English is very good.

"Indexing didn't work anymore" Are you sure the shifter is your problem?

Having to replace two different shifter sets in that short of a time span isn't common. If it was my bike I'd begin by carefully examining the entire shifting system including derailleur hanger alignment.

"Indexing didn't work anymore" Are you sure the shifter is your problem?

Having to replace two different shifter sets in that short of a time span isn't common. If it was my bike I'd begin by carefully examining the entire shifting system including derailleur hanger alignment.
And cable routing. I've seen lots of cases where a series of tight bends in the cable give so much resistance that the indexing won't work, particularly when returning to normal.

While I find it hard to believe the indexing failed on your shifters so quickly, here are the 7 speed Shimano trigger shifters you are looking for:

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=857&category=772

Thank you. I now know what to ask for.

As regards to the Revoshifts, it's possible I don't use them properly. However, I think those things aren't heavy duty either. I change gears a lot each day since I commute in Paris (lots of traffic lights, stops 'n go). I live in the highest part of the city, which doesn't help. When I brought back my bike to get it repaired the first time, the technician opened the rotating shifter. He looked at all the plastic pieces and then declared it definitly dead.

I just had a look at the online catalog of the shop where I bought the bike. The only thumb shifters listed is this one : 7/8 Alivio shifters (http://www.decathlon.fr/FR/paire-manette-8-v-alivio-argen-34946367). It's written those shifters can be used with 7 or 8 speed derailleurs. I'll talk about the Shimano SL-MC40 you linked.


BTW, your English is very good.=) Thank you


"Indexing didn't work anymore" Are you sure the shifter is your problem?

That is what I was told in the shop when the shifters were replaced the first time. I do not hear nor feel any "click" while rotating the shifter. NO sound at all. The rear derailleur still moves the chain but the chain isn't properly aligned with each sprocket.


And cable routing. I've seen lots of cases where a series of tight bends in the cable give so much resistance that the indexing won't work, particularly when returning to normal.

OK. I'll go to the shop in a few minutes. I'll explain my problem and suggest having a look at the hanger alignment and cable routing. However, the rear derailleur did not receive any impact. The cable routing wasn't modified. I recognized I haven't lubricated the cables yet.

Never heard of shifters wearing out that fast. You have another problem/issue.

Never heard of shifters wearing out that fast. You have another problem/issue.

I have. We've replaced a lot of Revo shifters for that very reason.

I am not a bicycle mechanic, so I defer to those with diagnostic suggestions for any matters of analysis....but, for what it's worth, Deore 7 speed thumb shifters are pretty common on Ebay and probably not hard to find in a number of bike shop's spare parts bins. If you really would like thumb shifters, I would go to the trouble to find some because they are quite hearty and should last forever. I bought a set (along with a perfect 7 speed Deore LX rear rerailleur) for a 7 speed bike that previously had SRAM grip shifters. Having learned to ride & shift before the days of indexing, I like the tactile feel of the thumb shifters.

Hello,

I've been to the shop yesterday evening. The technician opened the right Revoshift and showed me the plastic stops which were totally worn. He had a look at the hanger alignment and cable routing and didn't find anything abnormal.
I told him I'd prefer a thumb shifter, but he hadn't any 7 speed thumb shifter in stock. He installed an SRAM Gripshift MRX for free. In his opinion, that particular SRAM shifter is far simplier than the Shimano ones and should last longer.

Here are the shifters which were installed on my bike:
- Shimano SL-RS41 7-Speed Revoshift -> last 317 miles
- Shimano SL-RS31 7-Speed Revoshift -> last 567 miles
- SRAM MRX GripShift -> will last ??? miles

I think those shifters are not suitable for commuting regularly in "hostile" environnments (ie large city with a lot of traffic lights). Anyway, the technician told me he will replace and replace the shifters again till the end of the guarantee duration.

Next time I have a problem with the shifters, I tell the shop to order a Shimano SL-MC40 7 speed shifter before I go there.

I have those Shimano shifters on my bike and have had no, none, zero problems with them. For the price, they are a real nice piece of equipment. I tore them down prior to installation to grease, and clean any flashing and was fairly impressed with the innards.

The ratchet/clockwork mechanism in the shifter appears to be a good quality steel, nicely machined and reasonably well sealed from the enviornment.

They shift so much more positively than the twist shifters I previously used.

I have those Shimano shifters on my bike and have had no, none, zero problems with them. For the price, they are a real nice piece of equipment. I tore them down prior to installation to grease, and clean any flashing and was fairly impressed with the innards.

The ratchet/clockwork mechanism in the shifter appears to be a good quality steel, nicely machined and reasonably well sealed from the enviornment.

They shift so much more positively than the twist shifters I previously used.

Each time the shifters were replaced, the technician opened them in front of me. I don't know which shifters you're talking about, but as regards to the Revoshifts, I haven't seen any non-plastic part in them. Yesterday, the technician showed me the worn plastic stops in the SL-RS31. It's definitely plastic in there, except for... the cable which goes to the derailleur.

I have those Shimano shifters on my bike and have had no, none, zero problems with them. For the price, they are a real nice piece of equipment. I tore them down prior to installation to grease, and clean any flashing and was fairly impressed with the innards.

The ratchet/clockwork mechanism in the shifter appears to be a good quality steel, nicely machined and reasonably well sealed from the enviornment.

They shift so much more positively than the twist shifters I previously used.

You obviously don't have Revo shifters, then. "Nicely machined steel"? I think you accidentally took apart your Tag Heuer watch instead of your shifter....

its a system. they all work together. shifter, cables (inner& outer) & RD/FD. and to work well it must be tuned properly.... then of course the chain and cassette/freewheel's cogs shoud not be too worn......