Hello,

I am replacing some stuff on an old 1995 GT Tequesta and had a couple questions.

1) I will be replacing the shifters with Shimano Acera's because I can't get the original shifters working and the cassette is a 7 speed. My question is: on the major online bike stores all I see is Acera being 8 speed, but on amazon they have a different Acera listed as a 7 speed; can anyone tell me why this is and if I should be cautious about it. Amazon.com : Shimano Acera SL-M310 Rapid Fire Shifter, Right (Black, 7-Speed) : Bike Shifters And Parts : Sports & Outdoors

2) I need new brake levers for the cantilever brakes. Will the Shimano BL-R550's work well?

Thanks for any help!

What do you mean the original shifters aren't working?
IF the bike has sat Rapid Fires have grease inside that tends to harden with non use.
I fixed one of these (same Year/model GT) last summer by using this -
White Lightning Clean Streak at REI.com
Spray generously inside the trigger shifter, let it sit 5-10, spray again, let it sit again, now gently try to shift, keep this up for up to 10 times...
I've been lucky with 100% success on 6-8 different 90's trigger bikes (GT, Kona, Marin, TREK, etc...)
For $10 it's really worth a try....
I also tried Simple Green and many other degreasers with no success, finally a LBS staff member suggested this... one of my best "go to" tips to pass on to others...
Next step if spraying doesn't solve the issue, take the trigger apart (carefully but pretty simple - hey, you're trashing it anyhoo) and clean the same way and include a toothbrush scrub...

and I am lucky and have a local bike coop with ample used parts to garner brake levers for a couple bucks... have you checked within you community for the same?

Probably just me... but I have a hard time investing $$ on NEW parts other than new cabling, chain/rear cassette, tires/tubes on a 90's cro-mo...

all the best!

The thing about this bike is that it has, probably, less than 50 miles on it; my mom bought and never rode. So, it is in really good condition. I have tried cleaning the shifters with finish-line but it wouldn't take and on one of the shifters the bolt won't unscrew no matter how much I turn it. The levers are fine but they are integrated into the shifters. I am planning on replacing the tires as well.

Thanks for the help.

Even with 50 miles the grease hardens and that finishline product is not as strong as white lightning...
But I wish you well in whatever you decide...
With the integrated shifters.... even more reason to try white lightning...before switching everything out...
Now that you've shared the history... I'm 99% certains the triggers just feel like they do nothing when you push on them due to hardened grease....

I have fiddled with them quite a lot, and, even if I could get them working again, they just feel flimsy compared to the Acera/Alivio shifters I have tried.

Thanks.

Bump

Anyone?

Pretty sure it is an 8 speed shifter, not 7. Its also an Altus model rather than the Acera the link marks it as.

Sorry, I put the wrong link. Robot Check This is the one.

If you want 7 speed...SRAM has the MRX twist shifter also: SRAM MRX Comp Shifter > Components > Shifters > Mountain Bike Shifters | Jenson USA

I'm seeing the M310 being called Acera and Altus.

There is a 7 and 8 speed version of the M310: Shimano Altus Shifters - Outside Outfitters

Brake levers will work.

BTW...don't know if you checked...old cables and housings can cause poor shifting too.

Thanks. The cables and housings are in pretty bad shape but the shifters are just not worth it to me at this point.

I have pretty much accepted that my only option is to get the Altus or go to a bike co-op, which is in a transition from an old house to a new building right now, so no help there. I have heard of people getting pairs of Altus shifters for $10; does any one know where I can get a deal like that?

Thanks for all of the help.

Pairs for $10 are used (ebay or local coop)
was this bike with only 50 miles stored outside?

No, it was stored in a basement.

Thanks

ah well the cables may be just need to be loosened and greased under the housing...

If you buy new cable and housing do not buy one of the Bell kits from Wally's as your cable/housing is different for shifting Vs braking
by the foot from the coop is your best option

Basements can be damp. Who knows what kind of corrosion is inside those cables.

I would just replace the cables along with the shifters.

Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and drop the cash...if you want your bike to function properly.

The Altus stuff is pretty much at the bottom of the range...so the quality will be down there too. There is a good chance that the used ones you find for 10 bucks will be in similar shape as the ones you have now...if not...they will be soon.

Same goes for the cables. The bike has been sitting in a damp basement for almost 20 years. The cables are made of steel...and steel corrodes.

Buy new and get it over with and enjoy your proper shifting bike. It'll be worth it in the long run.

Thanks for the advice. I believe the shifters and brake levers I will be getting both come with cables and housings. One problem I may run into is I don't have cable or cable housing cutters; is there another option for cutting them?

Thanks

Well you can use any type of snips, I use regular channellock cutters. But with doing that you put yourself at risk of screwing up the housing and cable if the cutters aren't very sharp. Investing in real cable cutters may be a good plan.

I don't have cable cutters. I use a Dremel with a cut-off wheel. If you go that route be careful not to build up so much heat that you melt the housing liner badly, and wrap tape around the cable to keep it from fraying when you cut it.

That's a pretty cool idea actually, thanks for the tip I didn't know I needed!

Never thought of that, just trying to save $ as his link shows new shifters for $13 and he asked about a $5 source...
I have a hard time spending that much on a bike maybe work $70-$125 all fixed up...
and he still is buying tires! and probably tubes!

and I second the fact if you buy used, low end shifters, you will possibly have issues not knowing the extent of use...

lol send me those old 50 mile shifters.. I'll get em click'n within an hour ... lol

J/k Good luck op....

but if you are concerned about the cost of the shifters ... (add up everything you plan to buy before buying anything...)

Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunatly, I don't have any of those tools... do you think I could use a hatchet and a hammer? That isn't a joke.

Thanks

Only if you think those tools can be used during brain surgery also hahaha. Not a good plan, good way to waste some of your hard earned cash

Alright, thanks.