I picked up an old Specialized Hardrock to use as commuter today. Aside from being dirty and needing new cables, the left shifter seems to be broken. It moves the derailleur but won't click into position (it just goes back down to the small ring). I can't feel any ratcheting in the shifter at all. The shifters are Shimano 200 GS's. I was wondering if any Shimano 7 speed thumb shifter would work. There are a few on E-bay:

https://cgi.ebay.com/Shimano-STX-7-Sp...item33571c883b

https://cgi.ebay.com/SHIMANO-21-SPEED...item45f9750530

https://cgi.ebay.com/SHIMANO-SL-MC40-...item3361ea7017

https://cgi.ebay.com/Shimano-Acera-7-...item336646fb3a

Thanks for any help.

Also, I'm nearly a complete noob as a wrench. Is this something that a first timer should take on? I'd like to replace the shifters and the shift and brake cables....

I am pretty sure any 3x7 set will work

Yep, any of the ones shown will work fine, and it's easy enough to do.

I have mounted Acera EZ-fires (3 x 7) on various 12 and 14 speed road bikes and that works nicely.

Those look nice for $30.00 shipped on Amazon.

Yup, and they come with a full set of cables as well. This is what it looks like (well, sort of - sorry about the picture quality) on a Raleigh 200.

The left side shifter shouldn't be SIS... it's friction only, so there is no clicking into position.

Maybe don't give up on the shifters you have just yet. That is a classic symptom of the little pawls in there getting gummed up. Often they stick in a way that will do exactly what you are describing.

Dosing them heavily in some kind of solvent (like WD-40) will free them up. Sometimes just squirting it in there and working the levers back and forth will free them up. More stubborn cases might need a bit of a bath. And some time, and reapplication, over a few days does wonders too.

jim

I really like the Tourney shifters, that sell at Niagara. The 3x7 version sells for about $14, complete with cables and housings. I have used them on several bikes.

Actually, they sell for $12.60

https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ducts_id=15889

Thanks for all of the input. I'll try spraying them down first...

Saw your recommendation on the Niagara shifters and bought them a month or so back. They work very well.

Glad to hear the positive feedback. To me, its really incredible that you can get the shifters complete with cables and Shimano SIS housings for $12.60. They are friction in the front, and indexed rear. Personally, I prefer friction for the front anyway. And for $12, I don't put much effort into reviving dead shifters.

I try to keep a couple in my personal stock.