Thumbshifter Replace or Repair?

Integrated thumb shifter? Methinks you're referring to the old
fashioned 'rapidfire' (as opposed to rapidfire plus) - the push-push
system. While personal preferences will define your action, I'd
recommend going to actual thumbshifters, grip shift, SRAM trigger
shifters, or Shimano Rapidfire plus...anything but those push-push
monstrosities.

That said, try flushing the mech out with WD40 to dissolve any old
grease. If that doesn't work, you're pretty much SOL (barring
something on e-bay, or something in bikeman's 'attic'

SYJ

"SYJ" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Integrated thumb shifter? Methinks you're referring to the old
fashioned 'rapidfire' (as opposed to rapidfire plus) - the push-push
system. While personal preferences will define your action, I'd
recommend going to actual thumbshifters, grip shift, SRAM trigger
shifters, or Shimano Rapidfire plus...anything but those push-push
monstrosities.

Nice thing about the SRAM triggers is that you can either do push-pull or
push-push with them, if you're used to the old Shimanos. It's a weird
feeling if you're used to the RF+ Shimanos, pulling up on them instead of
back, but the upside is the ability to use them from either direction.

Hank Wirtz said:

Nice thing about the SRAM triggers is that you can either do push-pull or
push-push with them, if you're used to the old Shimanos. It's a weird
feeling if you're used to the RF+ Shimanos, pulling up on them instead of
back, but the upside is the ability to use them from either direction.

I just got the Sram Rockets this year, I really like them.

-nate

SYJ said:

Quoted message said:

XT (1992) 21 speed integrated thumb shifter & brake. Left one (front
derailleur) isn't grabbing for upshift. Easier to replace or repair?

Quoted message said:

Integrated thumb shifter? Methinks you're referring to the old
fashioned 'rapidfire' (as opposed to rapidfire plus) - the push-push
system. While personal preferences will define your action, I'd
recommend going to actual thumbshifters, grip shift, SRAM trigger
shifters, or Shimano Rapidfire plus...anything but those push-push
monstrosities.

That said, try flushing the mech out with WD40 to dissolve any old
grease. If that doesn't work, you're pretty much SOL (barring
something on e-bay, or something in bikeman's 'attic'

First of all, I agree that anything at all is preferable to
push-push Vapidfire. However, there really were Shimano
"integrated" thumb shifters, where the thumbie mounted
directly on the brake lever rather than having its own clamp,
and maybe the OP has those. If it's a thumbie it might need
tightening, or work fine in friction mode. But from the description
of lack of grabbing, it sounds like Vapidfire.

Because it's a front shifter that is having a problem, and the brakes
are most likely cantis, the easiest fix is to replace the front shifter
with a thumb shifter (Indexed front shifting bites anyway), keep the
brake lever or replace it with another canti brake lever, and unscrew
and remove the defunct shifting unit.

Hi folks. Thanks for the replies.

I love my push push. Been riding them all over, for 14 years. They
are fully integrated, so now the recommendation is that I buy new brake
levers and new shifting mechanisms. Dang.

OK, after reviewing the SRAM Rocket, both the indexed thumb shifter and
the rotational thingy are set for 8 or 9 gears. I have 7. Now what?

Do I have to replace my whole grouppo?

Cheers

"BeeRich" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi folks. Thanks for the replies.

I love my push push. Been riding them all over, for 14 years. They
are fully integrated, so now the recommendation is that I buy new brake
levers and new shifting mechanisms. Dang.

OK, after reviewing the SRAM Rocket, both the indexed thumb shifter and
the rotational thingy are set for 8 or 9 gears. I have 7. Now what?

Do I have to replace my whole grouppo?

Cheers

Here's my suggestion: since you've been riding all over for 14 years, it
could be time for a drivetrain refresh. Get a 9-speed cassette, remove the
thin bolt holding the cogs together, and remove 1 cog and 1 spacer. 8 of the
9 cogs should fit on a 7-speed (hyperglide - does it have a lockring outside
the smallest cog?) freehub. Get the 9-speed Rocket shifters and a 9-speed
chain, and Bob's your uncle.

If you have a thread-on freewheel or a freehub that uses the small cog as a
lockring, then check ebay for old shifters.

BeeRich said:

I love my push push. Been riding them all over, for 14 years. They
are fully integrated, so now the recommendation is that I buy new brake
levers and new shifting mechanisms. Dang.

OK, after reviewing the SRAM Rocket, both the indexed thumb shifter and
the rotational thingy are set for 8 or 9 gears. I have 7. Now what?

Do I have to replace my whole grouppo?

You only have to replace the front shifter. That was my point.
If you like the rear one, leave it alone. If you have a decent
bike shop, take the bike in and see if they have a left thumb shifter
lying in a drawer somewhere. That way you don't have to worry
about the 7 versus 8 or 9 stuff.

"BeeRich" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi folks. Thanks for the replies.

I love my push push. Been riding them all over, for 14 years. They
are fully integrated, so now the recommendation is that I buy new brake
levers and new shifting mechanisms. Dang.

OK, after reviewing the SRAM Rocket, both the indexed thumb shifter and
the rotational thingy are set for 8 or 9 gears. I have 7. Now what?

Do I have to replace my whole grouppo?

Easy enough to find 7 speed gripshift. Only replace the bits you need to...

The front shifter is integrated with my front brake. The two are one
unit. Also, if I get a SRAM Rocket for the left, the right shifter
will be completely different, and I have to get a new brake system for
the left side. So my bike will be completely different from the left
to right. Doesn't make sense without having to replace both my brake
set and my shifters, which means replacing the rear cog. This one part
essentially has me by the short and curlies.

Cheers

You can get replacement Shimano parts, including the shifters at Alfred E.
Bike (www.aebike.com ) for very reasonable prices. I just built a flat bar
road bike and put new RapidFires on it and I love them. I have them on my
mountain bike and road bike, too.

You can see all the RapidFire range of shifters at:
http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=list&searchtype=search&keywords=rapidfire&Brand=367

"BeeRich" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

XT (1992) 21 speed integrated thumb shifter & brake. Left one (front
derailleur) isn't grabbing for upshift. Easier to replace or repair?

Cheers

Oh Oh, I just noticed that Alfred E. Bike says that they cannot ship the
parts... something imposed by Shimano to keep prices inflated??? I guess you
need to have a friend in Kalamazoo to pick them up for you. An idea: if
there's a UPS Store nearby, you might be able to talk them into picking them
up and shipping them to you (for a fee, of course, but it still might be
worth the savings).

"TonyKiz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

You can get replacement Shimano parts, including the shifters at Alfred E.
Bike (www.aebike.com ) for very reasonable prices. I just built a flat bar
road bike and put new RapidFires on it and I love them. I have them on my
mountain bike and road bike, too.

You can see all the RapidFire range of shifters at:

http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=list&searchtype=search&keywords=rapidfire&Brand=367

Quoted message said:

"BeeRich" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

XT (1992) 21 speed integrated thumb shifter & brake. Left one (front
derailleur) isn't grabbing for upshift. Easier to replace or repair?

Cheers

BeeRich said:

The front shifter is integrated with my front brake. The two are one
unit. Also, if I get a SRAM Rocket for the left, the right shifter
will be completely different, and I have to get a new brake system for
the left side. So my bike will be completely different from the left
to right. Doesn't make sense without having to replace both my brake
set and my shifters, which means replacing the rear cog. This one part
essentially has me by the short and curlies.

Only because you insist on making the right side match
the left side. I have a bike where the left is different from
the right. It doesn't make it steer funny or anything, except
in the Southern Hemisphere.

You can probably unscrew the push-push from the brake
lever, throw it away, and continue to use the brake lever.
Or you can buy a thumbshifter and a set of canti brake
levers (so you don't have to buy a new brake) and use only
the left lever.

The rear cassette is a consumable part so replacing it shouldn't
be a big deal, the problem is if you get an 8 speed cassette
and it doesn't fit on your 7 speed hub. However, an 8 speed
shifter will index fine on a 7 speed cassette (yes, I have done it).

If Shimano thinks I'm running out and buying all new gear, I'll do so,
but I'll get SRAM. Thanks for the notes.

I'm just worried about my safety, that's all. I'd rather just go with
a new set, than have left and right changing. I have some parts in the
ship to me now actually, so I'll see how they go.

Cheers