I'm converting a 6-speed derailer (folding bike) to a 7-speed Nexus IGH (SG-7C18). One thing I'm not clear about is: do IGHs work with any typical indexed shifter?

My Nexus came with a twist grip which is fine for my usage. I'm just asking because I'm confused on this topic. I looked at Sturmey Archer, SRAM, etc. before choosing the Nexus. It seemed like all the manufacturers listed shifters specifically for their IGH hubs. That caused me to think IGH shifters are different. But, the Nexus twist shifter feels like it's indexed the same as any twist shifter.

Thanks.

As far as I know, all IGHs only work with shifters designed for them. The cable pull is different for each one, broadly speaking.

The Nexus twist shifter IS indexed, with a series of clicks like any indexed shifter but the amount of cable pulled by each click is specific to that particular hub's requirements.

There are some alternative shifter options out there:
https://jtekengineering.com/jtek_bar-end_shifter.htm

https://www.sussex.com.tw/versa.html

Edit: looks like the Versa one only works with Nexus 8.

"There are some alternative shifter options out there:
https://jtekengineering.com/jtek_bar-end_shifter.htm

https://www.sussex.com.tw/versa.html

Edit: looks like the Versa one only works with Nexus 8. "

Looking at the Web sites, both of those vendors have shifters which are specific to each hub manufacturer/type.

Now if you went with a Sturmey Archer Hub,
they make 3 different shifters for their stuff.
bar end , thumb and rotary grip.
3 & 5 speed ..
their 8 is needing more changes, like the cranks on the bike..
because the hub is not using any reduction gears, .. 1:1 is the low.

Can an alternate gear shifter be used for a Nexus 7 hub because having difficulty finding a replacement part which is SB-7s40

Maybe..


A bit of hand skill and the distance between gears can be done with friction shifting..
I can shift 7 speed rear derailleurs with out indexing.


Maybe the J-tech Shop, part of SJS cycles in UK has something.. you could ask , they have a website.




...

No. Shimano IGHs need the shifters designed to be used for those SPECIFIC internal hubs. There are two available for the 7 speed, the grip shifter, and the rapid fire shifter.

Using a friction shifter is ill advised on the shimano IGHs as slight misalignment will cause significantly increased wear on the parts inside the hub.

Here is (one of many) links for the rapid fire shifter.

https://www.modernbike.com/shimano-n...idfire-shifter

Just google search for "Nexus 7S50 7-Speed Rapidfire Shifter" to find more.

EDIT: Here is the grip shifter link.
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-Nexus.../dp/B00H14UW1U

I have wired up two bikes with nexus 7 speed hubs. One with the grip shifter and one with the thumb shifter/rapidfire shifter. They both work fine.

Here is a different thumb shifter for the nexus 7 made by microshift. Microshift also has grip shifters for it.

https://www.treefortbikes.com/product...FYhafgodUuUNPQ

EDIT: Here is microshift's official link for all their nexus shifters.

https://www.microshift.com.tw/city_internal_gear.html You can't buy them there, but you can find the part numbers to search for.

FINAL_EDIT: I've personally used a microshift grip shifter for my nexus 8 for 3 years now with no hiccups. (Although I would prefer the rapidfire shifter, the 8 speed nexus has no "official" supported 8 speed rapid fire shifter, however the alfine one supposedly works.)

Nope.

John Allen put together a ton of information about IGH shifters on Captain Bike's page. Long story short, outside of three speed hubs, in almost all cases you need the specific shifter.

Sheldon Brown's Internal Gear Hub Cable Pull Crib Sheet