Easier Gear Shifter

[Benjahmin]

As I progress further into old gitness, I am suffering arthritic pain in my left thumb. This is making going up the gears on my front (left) changer very painful.
I seem to remember I once had a changer that was finger pull on both triggers, rather than thumb push on both.
I've tried looking but with no luck so far.
Anyone happen to know the type I mean?
I'm assuming that twist grip changers are no good.

 

[guerney]

I use an SRAM twist gear shifter, might something like that alleviate your thumb pain? I can recommmend Ibuprofen gel and cling film for the thumb: Ibuprofen can't be absorbed when dry, so smear far too much all over your thumb and keep it wrapped in cling film for two hours. Works a treat, reduces inflammation without killing your kidneys, provides long lasting relief.

 

[Benjahmin]

Thanks Guerney for the cling film tip. I was assuming that twist grip changers didn't work vey well as people seem to dump them readily.

 

[guerney]

Mine must be quite basic? It's so cheap. Works perfectly.

https://foldingbike.biz/epages/7665e38c-067c-4fa0-9037-afac2266f927.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/7665e38c-067c-4fa0-9037-afac2266f927/Products/DAHSRAM30TWISTSHIFT8SP

 

[soundwave]

SRAM GX Eagle AXS Upgrade Kit

The SRAM GX Eagle AXS Upgrade Kit brings wireless shifting to the Eagle ecosystem, offering an accessible entry point into the world of AXS technology.

www.teamcycles.com

 

[saneagle]

As I progress further into old gitness, I am suffering arthritic pain in my left thumb. This is making going up the gears on my front (left) changer very painful.
I seem to remember I once had a changer that was finger pull on both triggers, rather than thumb push on both.
I've tried looking but with no luck so far.
Anyone happen to know the type I mean?I use
I'm assuming that twist grip changers are no good.

I use the Shimano combined shifter/hydraulic brakes. There are a couple of common versions, which you can find on Ebay. The harder shifting down is done by pressing the brake lever down with your fingers. Your thumb works the shifting up, which is just a release mechanism, so no effort. They're really easy to work and easy to fit. Nearly every time I see a pair on Ebay for a good price, I buy them to fit to my bikes. I have a few sets in stock now, so I'll leave the rest for you. Pads are £0.60p a pair from Aliexpress.
Deluxe version XT M765

Pardon our interruption...

Cooking version LX M585

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Benjahmin]

Ok. For clarity it's the left shifter I'm concerned with. That's a 3 speed for thr front deraileur, which I need around here 'cos there are some wicked hills. Just been out on some trying out the repositioning of the trigger shift I was trying. Was better but still caught me a few times.
Thanks Saneagle. I'll have a look.

 

[Nealh]

I have twist shifts on all my bikes bar the gravel bike which has the nice integrated drop brake /shift side ways levers , much a long the design of the the integrated flat bar combo's.

 

[Raboa]

Do you need the type of shifter in the photos?

 

[Benjahmin]

Do you need the type of shifter in the photos?

I don't know, it's hard to tell from photos.
What i need is a shifter that doesn't need me to to push heavily with my thumb, that's what's causing the pain.

 

[Raboa]

It sounds like you have a shifter like the one below and sits on top of the bar

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shimano-Tourney-SL-TX50-Thumb-Shifter/dp/B004ZACLV2/ref=asc_df_B004ZACLV2?mcid=310a33865ba4314aac50520a548e8b38&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696482778652&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17037181420514977622&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046953&hvtargid=pla-440884476641&psc=1&gad_source=1

The one in my pictures sits below the bars and has two gifting paddles, you press one to go up and one to go down the gears in like the one below

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SHIMANO-SL-M315-L-Shift-3-Speed-ESLM315LB/dp/B07QNCYL5J/ref=asc_df_B07QNCYL5J?mcid=0389baba101f3b9787304ea09104a269&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697217340649&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17037181420514977622&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046953&hvtargid=pla-844142542729&psc=1&gad_source=1

The one in my pictures is a brake lever and gear shifter combination. I do t use it, if you want it send me a private message

 

[Sturmey]

Oiling and greasing the cables worked for me lately. I had a similar problem with my left knee some time ago when changing gear in my car and a new clutch cable made all the difference.

 

[Benjahmin]

Thanks for the offer Raboa but I think that's pretty much the type I have. Going down to smaller cogs is not a problem as this is just spring release. However going from 1-2 or 2-3 is where the pain occurs, as this is using the thumb to press against the sprimg tension to move the derailleur outwards onto the larger cogs.

I will be getting the 3in1 oil out, but I don't think that'll do it. It's the 'weight' of the movement against the spring that gives me grief.

 

[Raboa]

It might be the shifter internals need cleaning and oiling.

Shimano recommend DriSlide Bike Aid lube (it's expensive), a light oil such as Triflow (GT85, Finish Line Dry Teflon Lube is the equivalent) for lubricating gear shifter internals, wet lube are too sticky and can attract dirt

I would spray the shifter internals with a degreaser then apply lubricant.

This is worth a read

https://www.reddit.com/r/bikewrench/comments/zlt4uj

Lubricating a Shimano shifters

What's the stuff to use? I've been using GT85 but now they've got sticky on both brakes and up shifts. I've got the polymer cables installed and am hoping they don't react badly to GT85! Help appreciated!

road.cc

Shimano technical manual

https://si.shimano.com/en/dm/LASL001/replce_cover

 

[AndyBike]

Thumbies ?

 

[Benjahmin]

Thumbies ?

?