Mountain Biking - Replace rapid-fire shifters, or not?

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mswantak
01-30-05, 12:05 PM
I have a Diamondback Sorrento I want to sell. It's in nice shape, but the Shimano Altus shifters are cooked. I've replaced them with a pair of friction-type thumbshifters, which work just fine. My question is this: How much will the lack of indexed shifting hurt it in the eyes of a potential buyer? I don't know a lot about MTBs but I can see how a rider might not have time to trim a friction shifter. Should I look around for some indexed shifters for it before I sell?

Maelstrom
01-30-05, 12:07 PM
It depends on the buyer. Most will see it as a downgrade. Retro guys will love it. I don't see it adding any value and potentially could reduce value as most people would want to upgrade it.
PWRDbyTRD
01-30-05, 01:33 PM
I agree. I would not be happy with those older shifters, though I could tolerate them if the price was right.

myenzo
01-30-05, 04:59 PM
Index shifters will probably attract a few more buyers. (I personally would not buy a bike without index shifting)
cryogenic
01-30-05, 05:23 PM
Seriously... pick up some $20 index shifters on ebay somewhere... It'll be worth it as some people just won't bother with it if it has friction shifters
mswantak
01-30-05, 09:23 PM
Okay -- I'm convinced. I checked eBay and found several sets of Shimano 7-speed shifters -- XT, STX, Acera V. Now, originally it came with the Altus integrated shifter/brake units, but there seems to be room to fit separate shifters. Will any of the Shimano 7-speed shifters be compatible with the Acera X derailleurs? Any I should stay away from? Too bad about the friction shifters; they shift like butter -- better than any of my old road bikes.

Here's a couple pics of the bike; anybody got an idea what year it is?

http://home.comcast.net/~mswantak/wsb/media/1477/site1354.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~mswantak/wsb/media/1477/site1355.jpg