Bicycle Mechanics - Thumb shifters

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tom.senex
12-07-10, 01:31 PM
Hello
Does anyone know whether there is a 7 gear version of the shimano sis thumb shifter?
I attach I photo of the 6 gear one I have now used on two bikes and prevents me from upgrading. I am so used to riding with my palms resting on the shifters and like the ease of changing gears while wearing thick gloves I am reluctant to use any other type of shifters.
Also please note that I want the lever to be flat so that I can continue resting my palm on it. I am really looking for the exact same shifter but with 7 gears.
Thanks a lot
Tom
Monster Pete
12-07-10, 01:57 PM
Don't know if shimano make/made one, but I found this one by sunrace on ebay, so they are out there: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sunrace-7-speed-thumb-shifter-cable-Indexed-New-/380274790560?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item588a24d0a0
TLCFORBIKES
12-07-10, 02:01 PM
Shimano makes a 7 speed thumb shifter but the shifter is located below the bars - not above lile you have now. There may be some old style 7 speed above the bar thumb shifters out there but nothing currently being made from Shimano.
Chris_W
12-07-10, 02:20 PM
Agreed, look out on eBay for used stuff or NOS. They definitely used to make some but I don't believe they currently make any.
corkscrew
12-07-10, 02:26 PM
Going with bar end shifters mounted on Paul Thumbies would be a good upgrade alternative.
LarDasse74
12-07-10, 02:34 PM
I always see 7 speed DX and XT thumbshifters for sale on EPay.
Cynikal
12-07-10, 02:47 PM
I have a set of 7 speed LX thumb shifters and I use them with an 8 speed cassette. You can push the shifter past the 7 index and use the RD limit for the 8th gear. This has worked really well for a while now and I bet you could do the same with a 6 speed set up. The indexing is very similar between 6,7 and8.
dsbrantjr
12-07-10, 03:19 PM
Tom: I Googled "shimano thumb shifter 7 speed" and came up with these among others: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=shimano+thumb+shifter+7+speed&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=13153510844800935822&ei=abH-TISEDcWclgfr3ZXECA&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CDsQ8wIwAw# $17 for the pair.
fietsbob
12-07-10, 04:44 PM
Shimano was into 7 speed in the late 80's, XT and so forth , good luck on those auctions..
the stuff does turn over, there.
I'm using friction shifters on my 6 and 7 speed stuff ..
hybridbkrdr
12-07-10, 05:31 PM
http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_info.php?products_id=15889
$12.78
http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_info.php?products_id=15890
$17.03
surreal
12-07-10, 05:50 PM
http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_info.php?products_id=15889
$12.78
http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_info.php?products_id=15890
$17.03
dingdingding! We have a winner!
But, for real, i'd spend $9 on the sunrace thumbshifters, which'll be right there for you, ready, when/if you upgrade to 8, 9, or 10 speeds...
-rob
tom.senex
12-07-10, 05:50 PM
Found it, if only for sale though
http://www.flickr.com/photos/angelfishsolo/3194539972/
well now we know it exists!
Well, well look at this
http://cgi.ebay.com/Shimano-SL-TY22-Thumbshifters-7sp-Dual-SIS-New-/360306234956?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53e3ecd64c
Shame I'm in the UK and won't be bidding on them!
and more
http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SL-TY22-Tourney-Shift-Lever/dp/B000A6B634
their called
Shimano SL-TY22 Tourney SIS Shift Lever
only cheap stuff I know but I am so used to them - shame they don't do a higher end version with flat levers. I might even risk it and go for the deore xt with look really well made though they can be quite expensive!
Jeff Wills
12-07-10, 10:54 PM
Shimano was into 7 speed in the late 80's, XT and so forth , good luck on those auctions..
+1. Shimano made 7-speed thumbshifters in Deore and Deore XT grade in the late '80's to early '90's. I have a set, but I'm not selling.
http://www.velobase.com/CompImages/Shifter/109BD47B-C13D-4AF4-BC8F-39A8A4C1F8B4.jpeg
tom.senex
12-08-10, 03:10 PM
Problem solved!
http://www.amazon.com/SHIMANO-TY-22-Speed-SHIFTER-LEVER/dp/B003KWS3GI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1291842003&sr=8-1
I have asked a friend in the States to get them for me and bring them over next time he's on this side of the pond sometimes in the new year.
I will then be able to upgrade from 18 to 21 gears - I am finally propelled into the 21st century, not.
However, this now creates another problem: sorting out the best gearing ratio for a commuter, everyday bike, also used for touring/camping trips!
fietsbob
12-08-10, 04:42 PM
I don't consider 8>9>10 an upgrade, it is just adding complexity..
keeping up with the Marketing driven consumption.
Now a Rohloff German IG Hub, rolling on needle and ball bearings,
That is an Upgrade .
TurbineBlade
12-08-10, 04:45 PM
+1. Racers sometimes disagree, but >90% cyclists don't race.
LarDasse74
12-08-10, 06:30 PM
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Shimano-Deore-6-Speed-Thumb-Shifters-SL-MT60-indexed-/250738123000?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a612820f8
It is hard to quantify, but these are precisely 27,000,000 times better than the plastic ones and work with both 6 and 7 speed. If you find some 7 speed ones they work with 6, 7, 8 speed. I think Shimano stopped making them because not enough people were buying replacements.
surreal
12-08-10, 07:16 PM
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Shimano-Deore-6-Speed-Thumb-Shifters-SL-MT60-indexed-/250738123000?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a612820f8
It is hard to quantify, but these are precisely 27,000,000 times better than the plastic ones and work with both 6 and 7 speed. If you find some 7 speed ones they work with 6, 7, 8 speed. I think Shimano stopped making them because not enough people were buying replacements.
i have those shifters. i have 2 sets, now, actually. Very nice. I've found that the indexing in 7speed mode is kinda finicky, so i've been running friction. i might have another go at it someday soon.
these are much nicer than the tourney stuff out there now, although the tourneys are very nice for the price.
-rob
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