Thumbshifter Replace or Repair?

XT (1992) 21 speed integrated thumb shifter & brake. Left one (front
derailleur) isn't grabbing for upshift. Easier to replace or repair?

Cheers

Integrated thumb shifter? Methinks you're referring to the old
fashioned 'rapidfire' (as opposed to rapidfire plus) - the push-push
system. While personal preferences will define your action, I'd
recommend going to actual thumbshifters, grip shift, SRAM trigger
shifters, or Shimano Rapidfire plus...anything but those push-push
monstrosities.

That said, try flushing the mech out with WD40 to dissolve any old
grease. If that doesn't work, you're pretty much SOL (barring
something on e-bay, or something in bikeman's 'attic'

SYJ

"SYJ" wrote in message
oups.com...
Integrated thumb shifter? Methinks you're referring to the old
fashioned 'rapidfire' (as opposed to rapidfire plus) - the push-push
system. While personal preferences will define your action, I'd
recommend going to actual thumbshifters, grip shift, SRAM trigger
shifters, or Shimano Rapidfire plus...anything but those push-push
monstrosities.



Nice thing about the SRAM triggers is that you can either do push-pull or
push-push with them, if you're used to the old Shimanos. It's a weird
feeling if you're used to the RF+ Shimanos, pulling up on them instead of
back, but the upside is the ability to use them from either direction.

Hank Wirtz wrote:


Nice thing about the SRAM triggers is that you can either do push-pull or
push-push with them, if you're used to the old Shimanos. It's a weird
feeling if you're used to the RF+ Shimanos, pulling up on them instead of
back, but the upside is the ability to use them from either direction.

I just got the Sram Rockets this year, I really like them.

-nate

SYJ wrote:

XT (1992) 21 speed integrated thumb shifter & brake. Left one (front
derailleur) isn't grabbing for upshift. Easier to replace or repair?

Integrated thumb shifter? Methinks you're referring to the old
fashioned 'rapidfire' (as opposed to rapidfire plus) - the push-push
system. While personal preferences will define your action, I'd
recommend going to actual thumbshifters, grip shift, SRAM trigger
shifters, or Shimano Rapidfire plus...anything but those push-push
monstrosities.

That said, try flushing the mech out with WD40 to dissolve any old
grease. If that doesn't work, you're pretty much SOL (barring
something on e-bay, or something in bikeman's 'attic'

First of all, I agree that anything at all is preferable to
push-push Vapidfire. However, there really were Shimano
"integrated" thumb shifters, where the thumbie mounted
directly on the brake lever rather than having its own clamp,
and maybe the OP has those. If it's a thumbie it might need
tightening, or work fine in friction mode. But from the description
of lack of grabbing, it sounds like Vapidfire.

Because it's a front shifter that is having a problem, and the brakes
are most likely cantis, the easiest fix is to replace the front shifter
with a thumb shifter (Indexed front shifting bites anyway), keep the
brake lever or replace it with another canti brake lever, and unscrew
and remove the defunct shifting unit.

Hi folks. Thanks for the replies.

I love my push push. Been riding them all over, for 14 years. They
are fully integrated, so now the recommendation is that I buy new brake
levers and new shifting mechanisms. Dang.

OK, after reviewing the SRAM Rocket, both the indexed thumb shifter and
the rotational thingy are set for 8 or 9 gears. I have 7. Now what?

Do I have to replace my whole grouppo?

Cheers

"BeeRich" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi folks. Thanks for the replies.

I love my push push. Been riding them all over, for 14 years. They
are fully integrated, so now the recommendation is that I buy new brake
levers and new shifting mechanisms. Dang.

OK, after reviewing the SRAM Rocket, both the indexed thumb shifter and
the rotational thingy are set for 8 or 9 gears. I have 7. Now what?

Do I have to replace my whole grouppo?

Cheers


Here's my suggestion: since you've been riding all over for 14 years, it
could be time for a drivetrain refresh. Get a 9-speed cassette, remove the
thin bolt holding the cogs together, and remove 1 cog and 1 spacer. 8 of the
9 cogs should fit on a 7-speed (hyperglide - does it have a lockring outside
the smallest cog?) freehub. Get the 9-speed Rocket shifters and a 9-speed
chain, and Bob's your uncle.

If you have a thread-on freewheel or a freehub that uses the small cog as a
lockring, then check ebay for old shifters.

BeeRich wrote:

I love my push push. Been riding them all over, for 14 years. They
are fully integrated, so now the recommendation is that I buy new brake
levers and new shifting mechanisms. Dang.

OK, after reviewing the SRAM Rocket, both the indexed thumb shifter and
the rotational thingy are set for 8 or 9 gears. I have 7. Now what?

Do I have to replace my whole grouppo?

You only have to replace the front shifter. That was my point.
If you like the rear one, leave it alone. If you have a decent
bike shop, take the bike in and see if they have a left thumb shifter
lying in a drawer somewhere. That way you don't have to worry
about the 7 versus 8 or 9 stuff.

"BeeRich" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi folks. Thanks for the replies.

I love my push push. Been riding them all over, for 14 years. They
are fully integrated, so now the recommendation is that I buy new brake
levers and new shifting mechanisms. Dang.

OK, after reviewing the SRAM Rocket, both the indexed thumb shifter and
the rotational thingy are set for 8 or 9 gears. I have 7. Now what?

Do I have to replace my whole grouppo?

Easy enough to find 7 speed gripshift. Only replace the bits you need to...

The front shifter is integrated with my front brake. The two are one
unit. Also, if I get a SRAM Rocket for the left, the right shifter
will be completely different, and I have to get a new brake system for
the left side. So my bike will be completely different from the left
to right. Doesn't make sense without having to replace both my brake
set and my shifters, which means replacing the rear cog. This one part
essentially has me by the short and curlies.

Cheers