canklecat

A semi-update, pending final resolution... and a bit of a rant.

Turns out the right side (rear derailer) RevoShift was badly cracked and may have been for so long there's no way of knowing how much, or how gradually, it contributed to the wrist/thumb pain I was experiencing. The crack was hidden under the rubbery outer shell. I do recall trying a couple of new bikes last year with RevoShift and similar twist grip shifters (an Electra Townie, a Trek Verve) and not being bothered by those.

Long story short, I bought a replacement RevoShift 7-speed (cable included) from Amazon for less than $12, with delivery tomorrow, along with a Jagwire cable tool. Hopefully the cable tool will see more than one use. I'm getting the itch for a classic steel '70s-'80s style road/touring bike, so I might as well begin to replace the tools I sold several years ago.

Long story mediumized...
I was getting cross-eyed comparing options for grip or trigger/thumb shifters that are compatible with my bike's humble Altus 7-speed derailer. I like the idea of the SRAM microshift twister doodad for the front derailer, and may eventually swap out the original RevoShift. That would solve a pesky problem with getting the front derailer aligned perfectly with the 3-speed chain wheel to avoid rubbing that no amount of fiddling with the adjustment screws could resolve.

I decided against trigger/thumb shifters for now. Seems like it would be trading one problem for another, given my occasional bouts with arthritis. I get the impression that I'd need to replace the Altus rear derailer as well to gain any benefit from a higher end shifter. The existing derailer works, and I'd rather put any extra money toward another bike.

While I was tempted by the notion of stem mounted friction shifters, I've gotten spoiled by the quick and ready access of the twisty shifters. I've enjoyed riding gravel, unpaved areas, hills and stuff I used to avoid, because I can shift so quickly to suit conditions and my limited physical capabilities. I like the idea of stem or downtube friction shifters for the right bike. Just not this bike. But I do have in mind a classic steel bike for a pavement cruiser.

Long story long...
Frustrations with some LBS's contributed to my decision to tackle this myself. I understand the myriad complexities and personalities involved in bike shops. But it's not just an internet thing, with customers picking the brains of mechanics and then buying the parts cheaper online. I'm willing to pay a reasonable price for parts and a fair price for labor -- especially the latter. But $30-$50 for a $12 part isn't reasonable, even if I am willing to pay the quoted labor rate.

The problem goes back as long as I can remember, including identical experiences in the 1970s. Some LBS's just don't want to be bothered with bikes they don't sell, or beneath their target marketing demographic. It doesn't take long via a phone call to get a sense of whether it's even worth a personal visit.

For example, I asked a couple of shops whether they'd be willing to install a part I supplied, since I could get the shifter the same day I ordered it (I'm just tacking the shifter onto an Amazon purchase for cat food, kitty litter and a couple other things), while the shops said it would take a few days or a week to obtain the same part. And they quoted prices more than double what I would pay on Amazon.

I know it's a 30-minute job, with the right tools, assuming they have the time, and I considered their $20 quote for labor to be perfectly reasonable. But none of the three or four shops sounded particularly receptive to the idea. Maybe I'm being naive, but I actually expected at least one to say "Sure, no problem, bring it on by such-and-such day/time and we'll pop it in for you, for $20." Presumably, they're figuring a markup on parts to offset labor charges that may be too low to be sustainable for installing customer-supplied parts. Why not just quote a higher labor rate for customer-supplied parts? Seems reasonable, especially if it's for a one-off, uncommon or custom part.

Another factor is the offhand elitism. This attitude goes way back -- I encountered it many times in the 1970s around Southern California, as Trek and Cannondale began to secure a niche. You could feel the prickly, haughty attitudes if you showed up on a mid-priced Euro bike with SunTour components. It's definitely not just an internet thing. Some LBS's have always tended to regard entry and mid-tier consumer grade bikes to be little more than tarted up road anchors and future dumpster fodder.

That's what motivated me to do all my own work on my Motobecane Mirage decades ago, and will probably prompt me to resume doing my own work again.

It's a shame because I even contacted a couple of LBS's that specialize in entry level and modest mid-tier used bikes, figuring they'd be receptive to the idea of supplying my own parts for their expert installation since they have the tools and expertise. But I caught a whiff of the same Not-In-My-Bike-Shop attitude. I'm not getting a sense of a shop owner/manager who's interested in building customer loyalty, by accommodating some customer supplied parts, or discussing ideas to make a bike suit the customer better. They just seem to be going through the motions.

Disappointing, because years ago when I was into target shooting it was fairly easy to find small local gun shops with fellow enthusiasts and gunsmiths who enjoyed chattering about the potential for custom work, upgrading bits and pieces, etc., or just yakking about the hobby, whether it was hand loading ammo, shooting black powder, whatever you were interested in.

/rant
/offmylawn

bikernew

Yes, cracked housing on the shifter could contribute to the problem!
Anyway, I just put a set of cheapie Shim thumb shifters(maybe 13 bucks on Amaxon) on a MTB I have to sell. They seem to work just fine, simple install, and came with new cables(no housing though).
How long planning on keeping and using this bike, and how much were you willing to spend? Assuming keeping bike for a while, and not less than 10 or more than 50 bucks?
The M310 shifters would be just fine and are prolly 30 bucks a set.
The EF-51 and/or EF-65 also a good choice but yes check compatibility with brake type. I seem to remember when looking at 'em myself, there may have been an option on at least one of the models, which worked with multiple brake systems. Approximately $27 and $40 respectively. If no like Amazon, Modern Bike and Performance or Niagara Cycle all had good prices, possibly FREE shipping too, depending on which model or if bundled with some other goodies!

Good luck.

bikernew

Just saw, you already posted up by time my reply came on. Anyway, sounds like you have your solution, and yes just do it yourself! Piece of cake, and you'll have your shiny, brand new Jagwire cable cutter for the next one as well!

fietsbob

Top of the bar Thumb shifters can always be turned like a Faucet handle.

Kuupola

Shimano XT M-760 STI levers could work aswell, as they use up-down movement on the lever brake itself. 9 speed cassette required though.

canklecat

Yep, the Jagwire seems well made and a good value. We'll see tomorrow after I cut the cable housing.

I like the bike well enough to keep it running. The frame is a bit heavy but stout and suits me for rough pavement, gravel and off road riding at up to 15 mph or so. I don't do anything fancy.

I have my mind set on a classic 1970s-'80s steel frame 10-12 speed for paved road rides. But I plan to keep the Globe Carmel for other stuff.

I might eventually try the M310 shifters or something similar. I think a friend has those on his Trek, so maybe he'll let me try it for a longer ride and see if my achy thumbs and hands get along with trigger/thumb shifters.

I was curious about the SRAM twist grip shifters but a local mechanic said they're just as plasticky as the RevoShift. I only needed to replace the right shifter for now and Shimano sells the RevoShift singly for left or right, while I could find SRAM only in pairs. But if the left side RevoShift goes bad I may swap out the whole set for SRAM, which also include grips and a washer to keep the twister from binding against the grips. And in watching some video tutorials, it appears to be possible to thread new cables through SRAM shifters, while I'm not seeing any way to do that with RevoShift without disassembling them -- and the RevoShift plasticky construction doesn't seem well suited to disassembly and reassembly. It's very cheaply made stuff that snaps together and will probably become brittle and need replacement every few years.


-*-*-*-


Too slow. Tried 'em at a local shop. I like the concept of the grip shifters. Just wish they were better made.

fietsbob

They are, in Germany , by Rohloff , to go with their IGH.

but Cheap as a priority eliminates that..

[ something for nothing still does not happen in business economics]

canklecat

Ah, I see several solutions to the cheap plasticky shifters, for the Rohloffs -- all very elegant and very expensive. But I'll keep 'em in mind for when I win the lotto. I do like the idea of that setup for a city cruiser.

canklecat

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I've updated the original post/question to add the resolution and some photos.

Replacing the RevoShift with a new one was easy, and cost only $12 (well, I also had to buy a new Jagwire cutter, but it'll see good use again). Shifts good as new.

I like the feel of the RevoShift, just not the plasticky build. I may try an SRAM microshifter twist grip for the left/front derailer, just for the ability to trim out minor chain rub.