Shimano shifter replacement?

Beezerk · Jun 8, 2018

Hi, total newb here.
I live very close to some decent mtb trails in the UK so I thought it rude not to buy a cheap bike to get me out there. I ended up with a 2006 Giant XTC SE for the princely sum of £40 which should see me ok for what I intend to do.
I was giving it a once over last night and it's in pretty decent condition but the lh gear shifter is totally beyond repair, the nylon slot inside the shifter where the cable attaches is broken.
I'm looking at replacing both shifters and cables but I need advice on what to look at and what to avoid.
I believe the shifters are Shimano Deore ML-510 Mega 9 if it helps.

Further down the line I'd possibly make some upgrades, if it's worth it of course, but for now the shifters are stopping me using it.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Mr Pig · Jun 8, 2018

Welcome to the forum.

Any Shimano 9-speed shifter will work. Any other kind of shifter will not. A good quality cable will work better and last longer than a cheap one. Teflon coated cables are nice.

What you upgrade, if anything, depends a lot on what sort of condition the bike is in. If it's like new then fine, spend away, but if it has a lot of worn parts it's not a good idea to dump money into it. You'll end up replacing so much that it'll cost you more than the bike is worth.

Beezerk · Jun 8, 2018

Thanks for the quick reply mate.
Are there any particular models I should avoid?
I don't want cheap and nasty but at the same time I'd rather not break the bank.

Mr Pig · Jun 8, 2018

Beezerk said:
Are there any particular models I should avoid?

Not really. Even the cheaper Shimano shifters work perfectly so used ones are a safe bet. The more expensive ones might be a little lighter, feel a bit slicker and look nicer but they'll all do the job.

In terms of pecking order I would buy Deore, SLX or the best quality is XT. The cheaper stuff is really big and clunky but anything from Deore up is fine.

J_Westy · Jun 8, 2018

Mr Pig said:
Not really. Even the cheaper Shimano shifters work perfectly so used ones are a safe bet. The more expensive ones might be a little lighter, feel a bit slicker and look nicer but they'll all do the job.

In terms of pecking order I would buy Deore, SLX or the best quality is XT. The cheaper stuff is really big and clunky but anything from Deore up is fine.

For example: https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2385894/

Beezerk · Jun 8, 2018

J_Westy said:
For example: https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2385894/

Awesome mate, thanks.

Shimano shifter replacement?

Beezerk

Mr Pig

Beezerk

Mr Pig

J_Westy

Beezerk

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities