Bicycle Mechanics - grip shifters to thumb shifters

Hi

I am a new cyclist and have not ridden a whole lot and do not know anything about bike mechanics so I hope this is not a stupid question. I have a 2010 Giant Cypress st with a triple up front and a 7 speed cassette in the rear. Is it possible to replace the grip shifters with thumb shifters and how much would it cost?

Thanks in advance. :)

I don't know if you want push-button rapidfire shifters or friction shifters. Either Falcon friction shifters or Shimano Acera rapidfire shifters (I've seen some on eBay).

You could replace the grip shifters with basic friction thumb levers. If you can find indexed ones then the right side could still be indexed. However you might consider going to the Shimano brake/shift intergrated units of the proper index count (3x7). You'll need to maintain the brake cable pull spec to match up with your brakes (which are vee brakes IIRC). These levers will cost around $15 each side and likely have replacement cables with them. Don't forget that the grips will be replaced too, maybe about $10. Can you buy from your LBS? This way they can make sure of the specs matching and if you run into a problem installing the parts they can help you out. Andy.

the 'Falcon' friction, thumb shifters are about $20 in the bag , installation labor, extra.

What's the problem with grip shifters? bk

I am doing the same thing with my 2012 Cypress St. I went a step further and am replacing the whole handlebar.
Trekking handlebar http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NULPIS/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00
Shifter/brake combo http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004V2ACD8/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00
New grips http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0011ZHLDM/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00
Cable Color Match http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002G3BJG8/ref=oh_details_o03_s01_i00
Spot for the GPS http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ME6KH2/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00

What's the problem with grip shifters? bk

The bike doesn't shift smoothly and I'm not sure thumb shifters would help that, but mainly when I stand up and pedal I grab the right shifter and shift when I don't want to. Sometimes several gears.

Oh!! This sounds like something I would be interested in doing. I like the looks of the trek bars.

I picked up a set of SUN RACE? friction shifters for about $15 at my LBS.

What's the problem with grip shifters?
which one? cheap SRAM you are going to want to
throw them away if you ever have to change the cable.


OTOH, I'm running trekking bars and the grip shifter is Rohloff, 2 cables
a Pull/Pull combination to shift their Hub.

No Problems..

What's the problem with grip shifters? bk

They can stop working. And if you get up from your seat to apply a lot of pressure on your pedals going uphill, you might accidentaly pull on the grip shifters and end up "between gears" which makes your cogs grind a lot which increases the resistance while you're already trying to push hard.

I am doing the same thing with my 2012 Cypress St. I went a step further and am replacing the whole handlebar.
Trekking handlebar http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NULPIS/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00
Shifter/brake combo http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004V2ACD8/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00
New grips http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0011ZHLDM/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00
Cable Color Match http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002G3BJG8/ref=oh_details_o03_s01_i00
Spot for the GPS http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ME6KH2/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00

If you choose seperate brake levers and shifters, you can install them at different angles which means you have say Shimano Acera or Deore brake levers, you can rest a couple of fingers on your brake levers most of the time. and comfortably change gears with your thumbs without changing hand positions.