If you go to aebike.com you will find SRAM MRX shifters 6, 7 or 8 speed for 16, 17 or $18. That's about twice as much as a pair of cables and you'll be much better off.

If you look at the post above yours (#3) you'll note my comments about "cheap grip shifters" and what will have to be done about the repair of this bike given the cost constraints.

The latter post was a response to your "detest" grip shifters and "never having anyone think that their gripshifters were better" part. Sorry, but now you've hear from someone who likes them a lot. I do not consider MRX shifters and the X.X series of shifters to be the same animal at all. Lumping them all together under the same junk lable does the better equipment a disservice.