Appreciate some guidance as I am a beginner. Trying to get my wife's circa 1994 Schwinn Moab mountain bike with cantilever brakes in working order. It's a 3x8 system, and the right shifter doesn't work. The plastic housing on the right shifter is cracked and doesn't shift, left side won't let me shift into 3rd. What do I need to look for to get compatibility to replace? Brakes are mounted with shifters as one unit. I rarely ride, not looking to sink a ton of money, but also don't want to spend a ton of time going too cheap trying to make somethingn work (ideally $30-$50 and be done in a few hours). I see Shimano Alivio on the left grip, and Acera X on the derailer. Thanks!
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Need advice on replacement gear shifter
Irinjinr
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Appreciate some guidance as I am a beginner. Trying to get my wife's circa 1994 Schwinn Moab mountain bike with cantilever brakes in working order. It's a 3x8 system, and the right shifter doesn't work. The plastic housing on the right shifter is cracked and doesn't shift, left side won't let me shift into 3rd. What do I need to look for to get compatibility to replace? Brakes are mounted with shifters as one unit. I rarely ride, not looking to sink a ton of money, but also don't want to spend a ton of time going too cheap trying to make somethingn work (ideally $30-$50 and be done in a few hours). I see Shimano Alivio on the left grip, and Acera X on the derailer. Thanks!
![1923463]( "1923463")
![1923464]( "1923464")
Oops... yes, 3x7. Just tried now with WD-40... maybe at one point it was hardened up, but now the shifter pivots without resistance like it cracked inside and doesn't catch. I can try taking it apart, but figured its probably shot and just as easy replacing. You will notice in the photo the exposed internals like a chunk of plastic housing broke off so not certain what happened.
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You can replace the shifter with any 7 speed Shimano shifters you can find. They shouldn't cost too much.
If you are willing to give up indexed gearing, you could install friction shifters instead, which would be even cheaper.
If you are willing to give up indexed gearing, you could install friction shifters instead, which would be even cheaper.
You can change the lever pull on some of the ST-EF51 levers and some of the newer ST-EF500 levers.
https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/1192920-rockhopper-shifter-conversion.html#post21306284
The ST-EF500-7R4A and the ST-EF500-L4A are the current model levers that can be used with v-brakes or cantilever brakes.
3 speed:
ST-EF500-L4A
The SHIMANO ST-EF500 series Shift/Brake levers combine Reach Adjust, EZ FIRE Plus shifting, an OPTICAL GEAR DISPLAY in a durable assembly.
ST-EF500-7R4A
The SHIMANO ST-EF500 series Shift/Brake levers combine Reach Adjust, EZ FIRE Plus shifting, an OPTICAL GEAR DISPLAY in a durable assembly.
I have those same shifters off of an old Univega. You can remove the pod and soak the whole thumb shifter part in some kind of eco degreaser. I usually buy the orange stuff from a dollar store.
After about 72 hours, use some compressed air to clean it all out. Reassemble and see if it is moving.
If yes, take it apart and put some Triflow in there or some park grease and shift it back and forth a bunch to get it all lubed up.
If no, soak it again with some WD-40 and see if it will work.
I usually have 100% success rate unless some spring or plastic internal is toast.
After about 72 hours, use some compressed air to clean it all out. Reassemble and see if it is moving.
If yes, take it apart and put some Triflow in there or some park grease and shift it back and forth a bunch to get it all lubed up.
If no, soak it again with some WD-40 and see if it will work.
I usually have 100% success rate unless some spring or plastic internal is toast.
I took it apart and I think its toast (or at least, I would rather spend some money and trust on a long term fix rather than I fight through the summer). As i mentioned and you can see in the photo, the housing was exposed and I could see the lever pivot around the central gear and not make contact. I took it apart and immediately a couple of pieces dropped out so I think it pulled apart somehow. The shifter is a smooth cylinder and as I mentioned, cannot reach the central gear so it moves freely but doesn't do anything. My suspicion is that one of the pieces that fell out as I took it apart, broke or fell off and probably have a linkage which is to hook into that central gear to shift. I understand what you are describing as I researched alot of videos on Youtube showing how older bikes when they sit can gum up. This probably didnt help. Is it as simple as another person posted that i can go with another Shimano 3x7 shifter? From some postings I saw some comments on making certain it matches your braking style (canilever, etc) but I cannot find anything more to show WHAT to look for or how to guarantee. Thanks again.
The brake lever/shifter combo I linked in my previous post will work with cantilever brakes if the brake cable is in the correct position.
Instructions on page 4: https://si.shimano.com/api/publish/storage/pdf/en/dm/MBST001/DM-MBST001-01-ENG.pdf
Shift/brake levers: http://productinfo.shimano.com/#/spec/MTB/Shifting_Brake%20Lever
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Vintage 1980s Suntour Power Thumb Shifters Mtb Left& Right Used | eBay
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;">Vintage 1980s Suntour Power Thumb Shifters Mtb Left& Right Used. Condition is "Used". Shipped with USPS First Class. Overall in great condition. Some scrapes and scuffs on both shifters. Both working condition. All original hardware. Made in...
www.ebay.com
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Friction works all the way up to modern drivetrains with a Problem Solvers Travel Agent adapter (tried with 10 & 11 spd).
For 7/8/9 speed in the back, it works just fine as Problem Solvers Travel Agent
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![Image]()
For 7/8/9 speed in the back, it works just fine as Problem Solvers Travel Agent
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