What is compatible with my 7-speed XT thumbshifters?

I found a pair of my old beloved Deore XT 7speed
thumbshifters in a drawer of my dad's basement toolbox. I
haven't seem them in years.

I don't have any 7speed drivetrain stuff around here
anymore. Is it possible to use them with an 8speed freehub
in index mode? Maybe I can just set the derailleur so that
you can push past the last click, but the limit screw
prevents the derailleur from hitting the spokes?

Anybody want to trade these for some barcons?

Jason Galarneau wrote:

> I found a pair of my old beloved Deore XT 7speed
> thumbshifters in a drawer of my dad's basement toolbox. I
> haven't seem them in years.
>
> I don't have any 7speed drivetrain stuff around here
> anymore. Is it possible to use them with an 8speed freehub
> in index mode? Maybe I can just set the derailleur so that
> you can push past the last click, but the limit screw
> prevents the derailleur from hitting the spokes?

That's correct.

> Anybody want to trade these for some barcons?

XT thumbshifters are probably the most sought-after
Shimano part in existence, you can probably get two sets
of barcons for 'em!

Sheldon "Worth Digging For" Brown +----------------------------------------------------
---------+
| Small change can often be found under seat cushions. |
| --Robert A. Heinlein |
+-----------------------------------------------------------
--+ Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts Phone 617-244-
9772 FAX 617-244-1041 http://harriscyclery.com Hard-to-find
parts shipped Worldwide http://captainbike.com
http://sheldonbrown.com

Sheldon Brown <captbike@sheldonbrown.com> wrote in message news:<40B51F78.3080809@sheldonbrown.com>...
> Jason Galarneau wrote:
>
> > I found a pair of my old beloved Deore XT 7speed
> > thumbshifters in a drawer of my dad's basement toolbox.
> > I haven't seem them in years.
> >
> > I don't have any 7speed drivetrain stuff around here
> > anymore. Is it possible to use them with an 8speed
> > freehub in index mode? Maybe I can just set the
> > derailleur so that you can push past the last click, but
> > the limit screw prevents the derailleur from hitting the
> > spokes?
>
> That's correct.
>
> > Anybody want to trade these for some barcons?
>
> XT thumbshifters are probably the most sought-after
> Shimano part in existence, you can probably get two sets
> of barcons for 'em!
>
> Sheldon "Worth Digging For" Brown

I recently replaced my XT thumbshifters with a pair of
Paul's Thumbies. While not as ergo as the old XT's, they do
let me use the 12x34 9 speed cassette with indexing. I am
going to keep the XT's however. Even though they are worth
3x what I paid for them over a decade ago, I just can't
bring myself to part with them. I'll have to find a special
place for them.

Rocketman58

PS: I have made the Xt's work with XT 8speed cassetts. I
never had consistent results however.

Jason Galarneau wrote:

> I found a pair of my old beloved Deore XT 7speed
> thumbshifters in a drawer of my dad's basement toolbox. I
> haven't seem them in years.
>
> I don't have any 7speed drivetrain stuff around here
> anymore. Is it possible to use them with an 8speed freehub
> in index mode?

You certainly can. There's a hidden "click".

Maybe I can
> just set the derailleur so that you can push past the last
> click, but the limit screw prevents the derailleur from
> hitting the spokes?
>
> Anybody want to trade these for some barcons?

I would happily go and *buy* some new barcons for you in
return, but I'm in the UK. My DX thumbies appear to be
worn out :-(

I have 8 Speed barcons "new in box" that I would trade.

I tried an 8 speed cassette wheel with my 7 speed XT thumbies.
The shifting worked, but not well. There is sufficient spacing difference ... 5.0 mm for 7 speed... and 4.8 mm for 8 speed that I just wasn't happy with it. I also have an adequate supply of quality 7 speed HG hubs and cassettes that I will likely be unable to wear them out or use them up in my riding lifetime. 7 speed wheels on a 135 mm OLD bicycle make a very durable wheel. I have over 25,000 miles on one wheel... with a few replacement rims, spokes, and 2 freehub bodies... and 5 cassettes.
dave at ornee dot net

__________________
David Ornee, Western Springs, IL USA

I've been able to get mine to work w/an 8spd cassette no problem. However my thumbies do have a bit of slop in them which might contribute to the success of my setup.