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

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[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 ?

?

 

[AndyBike]

?

These are 'thumbie's' aka Thumb shifters.

A very old school was of changing gears before the introduction of SIS(Shimano indexing system)

There are modern versions, but originals are just as good, possibly even better and very retro.

Shimano Deore MT60 Thumbshifters 3 x 6 Speed retro vintage Thumb Shifters | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Shimano Deore MT60 Thumbshifters 3 x 6 Speed retro vintage Thumb Shifters at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Jodel]

Benjahmin, I’ve been through a similar process as my arthritic thumbs grew more and more uncomfortable while riding. I’ve always liked Shimano’s Rapidfire Plus shifters, but I ended up not able to use them regardless of how well setup / slick they were.

I went through a series of alternatives. Initially I tried an old set of DuraAce bar-end shifters, but mounted as ‘thumbies’ on the bars. Next up was a set of SRAM Gripshift shifters – 9 speed right, 3 speed left. Both options worked well for a while, but I had to give up with the right shifter as it was just too sore to use for more than about 10 miles.

Wireless shifting could have been an option, but I wanted to stick with my hub motor rather than change to a mid-drive. The Hyperglide compatible freehub on my Shengyi DWG22C rear hub motor (limited to 10 speed cassettes with a smallest sprocket of 11) ruled out swapping (at great expense) to either Shimano or SRAM 12 speed wireless shifters as they both use different types of freehub bodies.*

The solution I found was from Archer Components, a small Californian company. They made a wireless shift system which was compatible with any type of rear derailleur. You can Google for the details. I set mine up with 2 x shift buttons which I could operate by simply squeezing with my fingertips – bliss! Unfortunately, Archer have now closed down so that option is no longer available.

*However, I’ve been rummaging around the internet to see what options I’d have when my Archer setup finally gives up the ghost. It appears that SRAM now make 12 speed cassettes which will fit a Hyperglide freehub body. This would allow the use of a SRAM 12 speed wireless derailleur with my Hyperglide freehub body. Additionally, a Dutch company ‘Leap’ make shift buttons to match SRAM blip wireless buttons.

None of the above are cheap options, but if the choice is between riding and not riding, then at least it’s good to know that there are solutions available. I hope to be using my Archer solution for several years yet, but I like to know there are some alternatives available.