Danath256

New to tinkering with bikes.

I was gifted a bike since my nice bike was stolen.

The bike I have now (Late 90's Diamondback Sorrento SE) has grip shifters. I would like to change them to "Trigger shifters", "Speed shifters" (I don't know the proper term) I know the chainring has 3 gears on it and the cassette has 7. The parts are shimano (as far as I can tell)

So from a little internet searching I located a Shimano ST-EF51 3X7 Shifter brake lever combo.

I have no idea if this is something I could do myself, if the parts would even work. I'm trying to learn and be a bit more self sufficient so i'm not always running to the LBS spending.

Thanks in advance!

headasunder

Danath its doable depending on your mechanical aptitude and your never say die attitude, just make sure you get the sort that matches your brake type

Danath256

So I have been having a hard time finding the correct one for the cantilever brake setup the bike has. I found another thread on here asking about using the EF65 in place of the EF51, claiming the EF65 allows more adjustment possibility and works on multiple brake types. The EF51 unless being the adjustable version only works on V-brakes.

I'm really not sure, attempting to learn, get aggravated, curse at it, and hopefully get it all working.

dsbrantjr

If you have brake levers which work, why replace them? You can install some trigger shifters like these: https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SL-M3.../dp/B01FJ4XQVG, assuming of course that you have Shimano derailleurs. I have installed those on two of my bikes and they work great. I prefer separate brake and shift levers since I can set the angles and positions separately.

Leisesturm

ITA with post #4. In fact I was reading patiently through posts 2 and 3 to say much the same thing. One quibble with the o.p. According to Bikepedia Sorrento SE has Rapidfire triggers. You've got a Sorrento, but not the SE. Anyway, you plan to make things right, so no biggie :-). Changing the grip shifters out and putting triggers in their place is not that difficult. You could probably do it without any YouTube video instruction. Getting the indexing calibrated and the indicators showing the proper gears is where the LBS guys make their money. And even they don't always do it right! You can do a better job because you can (will?) take the time. Sheldon Brown's website has a pretty good explanation of what is involved. You really need a work-stand so you can pedal and shift the gears at the same time. You cannot turn the bike upside down and work that way. Modern index shifters are incredibly sensitive to gear cable tension. Once you get everything installed, the actual adjustment and fine tuning is done with the barrel adjuster right where the gear cable exits the shifter. One complete turn of the barrel adjuster is the difference between crisp, snappy, shifts and annoying, balky, so-so shifting.

Bill Kapaun

You need the 4 Finger version, which will have a 4 in the part# suffix.
That's NOT always indicated on Amazon etc.
They have a plastic "plug" that can be located in either of 2 positions for canti or V brakes.

Danath256

dsbrantjr - Awesome, good point I didn't actually know that was an option.

Leisestrum - I think it may be the 1996 Serrento SE, thats the only one I can find with (Shift Levers Grip - Shift MRX-100) for them.. It does look like all the others have triggers. I doubt the previous owner went through the trouble to put Sorrento SE stickers on it.

Bill Kapaun - That is the problem I keep pulling results that are only the 2 finger ones

Thanks everyone for being patient and providing suggestions!