I’m making some changes to my 90’s RockHopper build and wanted to see if anyone had a recommendation for a friction thumb shifter. I converted it to a 1×7, so I only need the one shifter for the rear derailleur.
I recently changed the bars to the W I D E Nitto Losco bars, and the Shimano Altus 7 speed trigger shifter that I have fits awkwardly where the bars bend. I’m looking for a friction thumb shifter that doesn’t take up too much space on the bar, is preferably silver, and won’t break the bank (< $100). Any recommendations?
by bogojones
21 Comments
Sunrace, they are like $6 lol
Suntour or Shimano light action are good ones. Suntour can get pricey but the non ratcheting ones are cheaper but still great
suntour Power Ratchet are great, if you want to spend $$$ then i also like old shimano bar ends on paul thumbies
Microshift or get some vintage Suntour XC pros
Upside down left hand 3 speed shifter. Amazing trigger-shift-esque position and feel
I made a [post](https://www.reddit.com/r/xbiking/s/GGyTQv1pb8) about a good one I used.
The old, Suntour Power friction shifters are awesome and polish up great given they are a stainless band on an alloy mount. There’s one on Ebay [quite cheap.](https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186616472990?_nkw=suntour+thumb+shifter&itmmeta=01J6ZNR6M39ADAFAWJVA4MG1NE&hash=item2b7335659e:g:DwcAAOSweJpmsoMz&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKmSIPhr89DscA%2BAqlwodn6eQbLtw3zx2G0E5HaNx6g8FIyEIPLWZEX4PdsAmfCNP1q%2Bf0l%2BoNu7f15FggLymjMneDob5H9Ff30JXHF%2BaRVOMOLafyAXGVPSJr8wGEtGjAhusr4uiWXRVSowVEICCukHJXbPfHmQ7jkW6GtLT9Y4oph6Vv4olylObMlpjIyTIlLJtlk741NZrJs%2BoYluMqjk1GsVup6brHiOt6VN3vWrqdJTBngm8k1kMW%2BnsUkxMCQ%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6zq4PW3ZA)
I’ve been using Microshift thumbies on a couple of my bikes. Big fan of what they’re doing lately. Very solid products for the price.
New: Microshift
Used: Shimano
Just google it bro
I really love the Falcon shifters from Velo Orange.
Sunrace SLM96. Super solid construction. Don’t buy the cheap cheap sunrace ones
Ene ciclo[ene ciclo](https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/ene-ciclo-11sp-thumb-shifters-set-5014)
Old Suntour rachting shifters
https://preview.redd.it/kbh91fhr5wmd1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=22babd879b4a9e7c156c4750b7d26917f48e32a3
Here’s an ancient Suntour XC friction shifter matched to my SRAM X-3 doing exactly what you’re after. Maybe you can find them cheap from a coop or EBay?
Suntour power ratchet! Suntour XC friction shifters are so reliable and shift so nicely.
Microshift Advent thumb shifters in friction mode. I use them on my hybrid and folder.
[Deore](https://www.ebay.com/itm/204932722697) or [Deore XT](https://www.ebay.com/itm/135180881898) in case you want to go back to indexing. They are functionally the same, but the XT has a nicer clamp.
[Suntour XC Pro](https://www.ebay.com/itm/305762372175) has a great feel and a more elegant look in my opinion
It’s always suntour.
If you can wait the most cost effective approach is to buy an old bike with the thumb shifters you want. Prices have really come down. Trick is to find an option that’s kinda beat or with a mix of odd, non original parts, but still had good shifters.
Love your whip. I have the similar version frame and can’t wait to get it rebuilt.