rjmn

Does anyone know the difference between these thumb shifters? They look identical from the pictures, but the Rivendell description seems to indicate they use "Silver Shifters".

Silver SOS Thumbshifters
https://www.rivbike.com/product-p/sh5.htm

IRD Power Ratchet Friction Thumb Shifter Set
https://store.interlocracing.com/ird-...ifter-set.html

Thanks

Jeff Wills

They look identical to me. Rivendell and IRD are both brands that tend to buy stuff and put their name on them. Velo Orange also sells the mounts, the shifters are available separately:
https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...22-2-23-8.html

Rivendell:



IRD:

hueyhoolihan

same lever, same clamp, same rubber thingy, same overpricing. i'd say they are the same...

strock 

^^^Especially on the overpriced. The hinged clamps are handy if you need them, and they do look nice. But you can get the levers (Suntour Sprint, LD-4850) from BikeStash for $27.50 and the hinged-clamp mounts from VO for $50.00. Put 'em together, add shipping, and they'll still be less than what Riv is asking, and a lot less than IRD is asking for these sets. Only thing is that the levers won't be shortened and won't have the black rubber thingies. If you don't need the hinged clamp and you want shorter levers, you can get Suntour retrofriction thumbies from the Bay for half or less of what Riv or IRD wants for these sets. Same for Shimano deerhead friction shifters.

Jeff Wills

Agreed. If you're going to put retrofriction thumb shifters on "normal" diameter handlebars, these would be killer:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/350532135525

rjmn

Thanks for the replies and suggestions