[Styles]

I'm wondering, are the shimano STX RC 7 speed rapid fire shifters the only option i have if i want to switch my shifter pods? I have a 7 speed shimano cassette in the back. Are there any 7 spd compatible SRAM shifters? Is the X.O 7 spd compatible?

I'm also not sure what shifters are compatible with what derailleur. Is basically any shimano 7 speed shifter compatible with a shimano STX derailleur?

And is any shimano 3 spd shifter in the front compatible with the shimano allevia derailleur?

Damn its hard to find 7 spd components now...

 

[Shayne]

Yes all shimano shifters and derailleurs are compatible.

As far as new 7spd parts I dont know but there are a ton of used 7spd parts out there for cheap. I've never har a problem buying and using used components.

 

[Homebrew]

No worries...

You can use an 8 speed shifter since the spacing between gears is the same. You just lockout the last click using the low limit screw on the derailleur. Pretty much any rear derailleur will work assuming you use the correct actuation ratio. SRAM ESP shifters including X.0 need to use a SRAM ESP 1:1 actuation ratio rear derailleur. All Shimano shifters and rear derailleurs use 2:1 and aren't compatible with SRAM ESP. Front shifting hasn't changed so any front shifter will work.

 

[Styles]

You can use an 8 speed shifter since the spacing between gears is the same. You just lockout the last click using the low limit screw on the derailleur. Pretty much any rear derailleur will work assuming you use the correct actuation ratio. SRAM ESP shifters including X.0 need to use a SRAM ESP 1:1 actuation ratio rear derailleur. All Shimano shifters and rear derailleurs use 2:1 and aren't compatible with SRAM ESP. Front shifting hasn't changed so any front shifter will work.

so because SRAM ESP shifters have a different actuation ratio, they wont pull enough for my shimano derailleur?
Since SRAM shifters pull the cable 1 clicks for every 1 click shift, they wont move the cable enough for the Shimano derailleur?
I guess the Shimano shifters move the cable 2 clicks for every 1 shift, so each click of the SRAM shifters wont be enough to shift my STX derailleur...is that the right way to think of it?

The 8 speed compatibility really opens up my options now.

Thanks

 

[Styles]

Any suggestions for 8 speed shifters?

I was thinking the shimano XT 8 spds are a good buy if i can find them.

Should i go with the shifter/brake lever combos, or just the shifters?

 

[kenaran]

Any suggestions for 8 speed shifters?

I was thinking the shimano XT 8 spds are a good buy if i can find them.

Should i go with the shifter/brake lever combos, or just the shifters?

ebay always seems to have XT 8 spd shifters. Just use the standard warnings about ebay, look for a picture/good feedback/shipping price before bidding/etc. I would just get the pods w/o brake levers. The canti-lever levers are mostly incompatable with V-brakes. I know from experience that they will work, but not well, VERY spongy. I know from experience that the LX pods are very good as well.

Good Luck

 

[Styles]

ebay always seems to have XT 8 spd shifters. Just use the standard warnings about ebay, look for a picture/good feedback/shipping price before bidding/etc. I would just get the pods w/o brake levers. The canti-lever levers are mostly incompatable with V-brakes. I know from experience that they will work, but not well, VERY spongy. I know from experience that the LX pods are very good as well.

Good Luck

can i buy the shifter/brake lever combo and then remove the brakes?

Is this what i'm looking for?

without the brake levers?

 

[Shayne]

No

the clamp is attached to the brake lever portion so uoi can just use the brakelevers but you cannot remove the shifters and use them by themselves unless you also buy an aftermarket clamp for them.

Those are current model 9spd shifters pictured and they will not work with your drivetrain.

 

[kenaran]

a bit about brake standards

canti-lever brakes are where threre is a centrally routed cable that is split in two and attatched to both brake arms. One by bolt, the other by a cable end. This is the older standard that you can probably still find on some department store bikes, and older (pre 1996/1997 higher end stuff / everything)

V-brakes are where the cable comes in off the side and goes into a 'noodle' routing it 90 degrees or so, making the cable horizontal. The noodle fits into a swing arm on one brake arm and the cable bolts to the other arm. This is the standard that is still found on most non disk brake bikes.

Disks are self explanatory, there are ones that are cable operated, and ones where there is hydraulic fluid instead of a cable. I personally have zero experience with these.

Speaking toward canti-lever and V-brakes the lever that fit onto the handlebars have a different pivot point for each standard. Most of the older high end (and low end) brake/shifter combos (read as 7 and 8 spd stuff) use the canti-lever standard pivot point. V-brakes are better stopping power, and, I think, fit onto the same fittings on the frame as canti-levers, you just don't use the center cable routing. I have used canti-lever levers with V-brakes, but as I said spongy as hell, and a royal pain to adjust. The current 7/8 speed stuff is low end, but in combos it almost certainly uses the V-brake pivot point.

Most people don't recommend combo's since if you trash the brake levers on a crash, you're also out shifters. Plus if you upgrade the brakes, you may be out shifters. ???? why Shimano is forcing 'flippy shifts' down our throat, seems to just be giving SRAM more of the market.

Note: you can get an adapter that is supposed to change make canti-lever levers compatable with V's, but it's $15/per brake ($30ish / bike), if you can find it.

I hope this is decipherable.

 

[Styles]

Thanks kenaran

All that makes sense. Thanks. Now i just have to find some 8 spd XT shifters.