General Cycling Discussion - Help With shifters.

I have a hybrid bike that has 21 speeds, or 3 x 7, and the gear shifters aren't working so well anymore when i shift down. How do I find shifters that will work for my bike? Do I look for 21 speed shifters or do I get something else?

You need a 7 speed shifter for the rear that is designed to work with that brand. Usually you want the same brand, though there are some compatible aftermarket shifters that will work with Shimano. I presume the rear is where most of the trouble is for you. What sort of shifters are they? Brand name and are they twist shifters, triggers, or thumb levers?

Might just need some servicing on the existing shifters. Some cleaning, lube & adjsutment.

Or the springs of the derailleurs have gotten weak.

Like Spiff sez. Clean, Lube and adjust the derailleurs and see if that makes a difference.

They don't have a brand name on them unfortunately. They just say 8 speed for the back and 3 for the front. The shifters have a trigger for your index finger and one for your thumb on each shifter. I bought the bike used at Sprockets in Denton so I'm not sure if the shifters are original or not. The bike brand is Specialized. Do you know of any sites that detail cleaning shifters? I try to do repairs and tuning myself.

get out the camera . send those pix.
Specialized is an importer brand ,
all the other components come from separate companies.
odds are favoring Shimano.. big seller to the OEM market.

price point determines what parts get bolted on the frame
with the brand logo on it.

get out the camera . send those pix.
Specialized is an importer brand ,
all the other components come from separate companies.
odds are favoring Shimano.. big seller to the OEM market.

price point determines what parts get bolted on the frame
with the brand logo on it.

This is what the shifters look like. I took this one apart but couldn't figure out how it is supposed to spring back to it's original position after shifting.

One thing I need to add is I am having trouble with my gears shifting, so I adjusted the deraliuer and got the gears to shift better. But not I can't shift to my biggest gear on the cassette. The thumb shifter won't even budge to shift that far.

Any thoughts on what could be causing this? I really don't want to take it to a shop and have them tell me I need new parts that will cost me over $200 bucks.

I have a hybrid bike that has 21 speeds, or 3 x 7, and the gear shifters aren't working so well anymore when i shift down. How do I find shifters that will work for my bike? Do I look for 21 speed shifters or do I get something else?


They don't have a brand name on them unfortunately. They just say 8 speed for the back and 3 for the front. The shifters have a trigger for your index finger and one for your thumb on each shifter. I bought the bike used at Sprockets in Denton so I'm not sure if the shifters are original or not. The bike brand is Specialized. Do you know of any sites that detail cleaning shifters? I try to do repairs and tuning myself.

If you have 7 rear cogs and the shifter says 8-speed, it's a safe bet the shifter isn't original. Actually, although some people claim 8-speed shifters will work fine with a 7-speed cassette, I've never been able to make that combination work to my satisfaction because the rear cog spacing is a "skosh" off.

If it was my bike I'd get a set of 7-speed trigger shifters.

This is what the shifters look like. I took this one apart but couldn't figure out how it is supposed to spring back to it's original position after shifting.

One thing I need to add is I am having trouble with my gears shifting, so I adjusted the deraliuer and got the gears to shift better. But not I can't shift to my biggest gear on the cassette. The thumb shifter won't even budge to shift that far.

Any thoughts on what could be causing this? I really don't want to take it to a shop and have them tell me I need new parts that will cost me over $200 bucks.

I think you are looking at the wrong end.

I think your problem is at the derailleur end.

If I understand your OP when the cable goes slack it's not down shifting. This would indicate weak derailleur springs, cruddy cable and housing issues.

If you have 7 rear cogs and the shifter says 8-speed, it's a safe bet the shifter isn't original. Actually, although some people claim 8-speed shifters will work fine with a 7-speed cassette, I've never been able to make that combination work to my satisfaction because the rear cog spacing is a "skosh" off.

If it was my bike I'd get a set of 7-speed trigger shifters.


Yeah I know the shifters need to be replaced for sure. I want my bike to run as well as I can get it.

I also think if I replace those that my derailleur will work better because it is a "skosh" off. Even after aligning it perfectly on the highest gear it won't shift up and it doesn't stay aligned.

I'm gonna look into taking it to a bike shop later today, just hope their reputation doesn't precede them and they don't charge me an arm and a leg.

Thanks for the help.

Simplify.. convert to a friction-ratchet pair of thumb-shifters.

Looking at your photos it appears as if you have an integrated shifter/ brake lever combination; the shifter is built in to the brake lever assembly.

If you have a 7 speed rear end with three sprockets up front, the most economical solution is to convert over to a separate set of brake levers compatible
with the type of brakes you have, and to use 7 speed SRAM Grip Shift shifters. They require much less maintenance, will work with Shimano drive trains,
and are less expensive than purchasing a complete set of integrated brake/ shift levers.

Alan :speedy:

Looking at your photos it appears as if you have an integrated shifter/ brake lever combination; the shifter is built in to the brake lever assembly.

If you have a 7 speed rear end with three sprockets up front, the most economical solution is to convert over to a separate set of brake levers compatible
with the type of brakes you have, and to use 7 speed SRAM Grip Shift shifters. They require much less maintenance, will work with Shimano drive trains,
and are less expensive than purchasing a complete set of integrated brake/ shift levers.

Alan :speedy:


Yeah I was thinking about just making the brake and shifter separate but preferred the ones I have now. I took my bike to a shop in my area and they are going to replace the shifters with 7 speed shifters, take a look at the derailleur, and do a basic tune up for me.

I'm hoping they get my bike fixed up. I can't take not being able to ride in the mornings.

Thanks for all the advice everyone.