jaimeltx

Hi everyone,

I have a question on good value shifters. I really don't want to spend more than $50 +/- a few. I just got an old lugged Bianchi Project 5 to commute on )which I'm slowly fixing up. My bike has working, albeit gummed up grip shifts and I want to change them out. I know the bike has 3 big gears and 7 little ones. I may at some point (way down the road) change to drop bars.

I was thinking of getting trigger shifters. The bike has brakes so I'm guessing getting non-integrated shifters is the way to go?

I'm not set on any one thing and would appreciate any advice or direction to a forum that has already answered this question.

Any suggestions on brand and models is appreciated.

Thanks!

JB

Longissimus

I have Shimano XT on my 29er. I love em' and have no issues. They may be more pricey than you want, but I think you get what you pay for. Shifting and breaking are important, why skimp?

AndrewP

For commuting through busy city ctreets where you may have to suddenly slow right down for lights, the better SRAM twist grip shifters are the best because your can shift right through the range of gears in asingle movement. However if you only have to shift for changes in grade go for the trigger shifters.

jaimeltx

Thanks. I think I'm going to look for some good deals on trigger shifters. My city commute is only about a mile in traffic, so I think it should be fine. Really good advice on the grip shifters. I never would have though of that.

Andy_K 

You can get a pair of Alivio 8-speed trigger shifters for about $40 and set them up to work with 7-speed now and be ready to move to 8-speed in the future. I've got my daughter's Rock Hopper set up this way. The Alivio shifters work really well for the money.

Abacus

You have several choices, all around $20.00:

Cheap: Shimano STX 7 speed trigger shifters. About $20.00

https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-Alivio...0625454&sr=8-1




Sunrace M53 7 speed https://www.amazon.com/Sunrace-M53-7-...625496&sr=1-10


Sunrace 7 Speed Thumb Shifters: https://www.amazon.com/Sunrace-Speed-...0625496&sr=1-3

xtrajack

I'm an old school year rounder. I prefer old school friction shifters to anything that they have going on now. I realize that this doesn't help you out at all. Just my thoughts on the subject.

fuzz2050

I think the Suntour Power Ratchet shifters are just about the best thumb shifters ever made. You can find them on ebay for next to nothing, at you local bike co-op. Plus, you can shift the whole range of gears in one swift motion, and never have to worry about shifter compatibility.

tjspiel

I have mixed feelings about grip shifts. Sometimes I'd inadvertently shift when I'd stand up to power through an intersection or up a hill.

I have a Bianchi Project 3 that came with Deore thumb shifters. You can still shift through the whole range + opt for friction shifting if you like. I'm sure they can be found on Ebay for not much.

I ended up putting drop bars and Campy shifters on the bike but I had no qualms with the way the thumb shifters worked while I still had the flat bars.

jaimeltx

Big thanks to everyone who provided all the helpful advice.

I ended finding a nice old set of SIS thumb shifters and put them on the bike. I realize they are not as nice as some of the others, but I am giving these a try to see if I later want to upgrade. Plus the fellow I bought them from gave me a quick tutorial on installing shifters and general bike maintenance.

After a ride with these shifters, so far so good. Plus they look nice on the old bike!

Next up new tires (ugh), but luckily I have found some good threads on this topic.

Thanks again.