Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,642
Likes: 1,106
From: Mans of NC & SW UT Desert
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
My favorite flat bar shifters continue to be the Tourney SL-TX 30 shifters. Here in the US, you can find them new for under $15, including all cables and housings. Front is friction (my preference), rear is indexed. Come in a six and seven speed versions.
+1 Check out the drop bar MTB conversion thread I started recently. Install thumb shifters on the tops, and you have something he can grow into. As he gains experience and confidence, he can start migrating to using the drops.
Last edited by wrk101; 06-30-12 at 08:23 PM.