Switching from Racing Shifters to Thumb Shifters!

[JusFoolin]

Hi Guys!
I want to swap the racing handlebar brakes/gear shifters for normal v brake levers and thumb shifters - however the only affordable shifters I can find are for 21 speed (3x7) and my bike is only 14 speed (2x7). Can I set it up so that both the 2 and 3 on the left (front hub) shifter just cause it to be in 2 (because there is no 3rd gear on front)???
Hope I phrased it in an understandable way! its hard to write it out without pointing at stuff

[Painkiller]

What is the bike model you are wanting to mod? What type shifters do you have right now? downtube, brifters, paddle etc..what size are your front rings?
The easiest way to go would be top mount thumbies like DeoreII or DeoreXT. If you have caliper brakes, V-brake levers are not the best choice but will work. You may like the feel of levers made for Canti-lever brakes better. What model are the shifters you want to use? If you are thinking Shimano Altus pods, I do not think they will work for the front very well. Indexing the front can be tricky for 7/8 speed with what is offered in new available parts. If you have downtube shifters, flatbar the bike and keep using the downtube shifters. Need more info, pics would be nice too.

[JusFoolin]

(06-28-2015, 08:56 AM)painkiller Wrote:  What is the bike model you are wanting to mod? What type shifters do you have right now? downtube, brifters, paddle etc..what size are your front rings?
The easiest way to go would be top mount thumbies like DeoreII or DeoreXT. If you have caliper brakes, V-brake levers are not the best choice but will work. You may like the feel of levers made for Canti-lever brakes better. What model are the shifters you want to use? If you are thinking Shimano Altus pods, I do not think they will work for the front very well. Indexing the front can be tricky for 7/8 speed with what is offered in new available parts. If you have downtube shifters, flatbar the bike and keep using the downtube shifters. Need more info, pics would be nice too.

Hi!
Thanks for the help.
The bike is a Carrera TDF like this:
http://www.southyorks.police.uk/sites/default/files/CARRERA%20TDF%20bike.jpg

Pretty sure it has caliper brakes.
Was hoping to switch to a pair of these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shimano-Ef-51-Shifter-brake-Lever/dp/B00U3MLXB0/

Does it seem possible/easy?

[Painkiller]

What is your budget? I am in us $$ if you can convert for me

[JusFoolin]

(06-28-2015, 09:13 AM)painkiller Wrote:  What is your budget? I am in us $$ if you can convert for me

As cheap as possible! Hopefully sub $30!
Was hoping it would be a pretty easy job of just buying those new brakes/shifters and putting them on.

[Painkiller]

No it will not work, could be wrong but i think you will have to much throw with the ef-51 shifters and the stock derailleur. $30 is a tad lean for this type mod. you will need, bars, grips. brake levers, shift levers. the problem is the 7 speed rear. Flat bar road shifters that you can find are 8 speed (rare) or 9 speed Shimano ST-r440. I recommend vintage top mount thumbies as posted above for your mod and would be more in the $150 range all said and done.

[JusFoolin]

Could I use these and then just 'ignore' the 8th gear on the right shifter?? Or would this cause the chain to fall off / other problems?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-claris-r240-8sp-brake-gear-shifter/rp-prod106887?gs=1&gclid=CjwKEAjwtr6sBRDv7uzB492H9XISJADj6aqbQWRqxXfL-8fLr0wqYV723SOPwP5cUwzv6GsVRG7VSRoC1N_w_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Thanks!

[nfmisso]

(06-28-2015, 09:49 AM)JusFoolin Wrote:  Could I use these and then just 'ignore' the 8th gear on the right shifter?? Or would this cause the chain to fall off / other problems?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-claris-r240-8sp-brake-gear-shifter/rp-prod106887?gs=1&gclid=CjwKEAjwtr6sBRDv7uzB492H9XISJADj6aqbQWRqxXfL-8fLr0wqYV723SOPwP5cUwzv6GsVRG7VSRoC1N_w_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Thanks!

No.  7 speed and 8 speed spacing is different, at best, you'll be able to set it up so that one gear works.

The limit screws on the derailleurs control their travel, not the shifter.  Indexed shifters move a certain amount of cable (not adjustable); which has to match the spacing of the cogs times a factor.  The factor varies: 
* rear: 
*** Shimano standard (all Shimano road up to 10 speed and mountain up to 9 speed)
*** Shimano 10 & 11 speed mountain
*** Shimano 11 speed road
*** SRAM
*** Campagnolo

* front:
*** Shimano road (includes SRAM)
*** Shimano mountain (includes SRAM)


I would suggest Sunrace Friction Thumb shifters see: http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/one/579134d1289529232-one-inbred-build-img_0112.jpg for an example
http://www.niagaracycle.com/categories/sunrace-slm10-friction-shifter-set?gclid=CjwKEAjwtr6sBRDv7uzB492H9XISJADj6aqbFbLKZXyg9EmcWT44HeR8YwHulo1Unu5whh​mpwMQdghoCA6Dw_wcB

and Tektro MT2.1 levers: http://www.amazon.com/Tektro-Eclipse-Universal-Brake-Silver/dp/B00288JJQS/ref=sr_1_25?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1435503795&sr=1-25&keywords=tektro+brake+levers
The MT2.1 levers will work with any kind of bicycle cable operated brakes, there is a two position adjustment inside.

[JusFoolin]

(06-28-2015, 10:57 AM)nfmisso Wrote:  

(06-28-2015, 09:49 AM)JusFoolin Wrote:  Could I use these and then just 'ignore' the 8th gear on the right shifter?? Or would this cause the chain to fall off / other problems?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-claris-r240-8sp-brake-gear-shifter/rp-prod106887?gs=1&gclid=CjwKEAjwtr6sBRDv7uzB492H9XISJADj6aqbQWRqxXfL-8fLr0wqYV723SOPwP5cUwzv6GsVRG7VSRoC1N_w_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Thanks!

No.  7 speed and 8 speed spacing is different, at best, you'll be able to set it up so that one gear works.

The limit screws on the derailleurs control their travel, not the shifter.  Indexed shifters move a certain amount of cable (not adjustable); which has to match the spacing of the cogs times a factor.  The factor varies: 
* rear: 
*** Shimano standard (all Shimano road up to 10 speed and mountain up to 9 speed)
*** Shimano 10 & 11 speed mountain
*** Shimano 11 speed road
*** SRAM
*** Campagnolo

* front:
*** Shimano road (includes SRAM)
*** Shimano mountain (includes SRAM)


I would suggest Sunrace Friction Thumb shifters   see: http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/one/579134d1289529232-one-inbred-build-img_0112.jpg for an example
http://www.niagaracycle.com/categories/sunrace-slm10-friction-shifter-set?gclid=CjwKEAjwtr6sBRDv7uzB492H9XISJADj6aqbFbLKZXyg9EmcWT44HeR8YwHulo1Unu5whh​mpwMQdghoCA6Dw_wcB

and Tektro MT2.1 levers: http://www.amazon.com/Tektro-Eclipse-Universal-Brake-Silver/dp/B00288JJQS/ref=sr_1_25?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1435503795&sr=1-25&keywords=tektro+brake+levers
The MT2.1 levers will work with any kind of bicycle cable operated brakes, there is a two position adjustment inside.

Forgive me if I'm being a bit slow and stupid
I have been searching for UK sites selling gear shifters which match the number of gears on the bike.
Even though they are not a matching pair, would these work?
(a 7 speed shimano altus on the right, 2 speed sram x5 on the left)
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Shimano-Altus-7-speed-Rapidfire-Pod-Right-Hand-Shifter-SLM310_45153.htm
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.SRAM-X5-MTB-Trigger-Shifter-Lever_60289.htm

[nfmisso]

The rear will work fine, the front MIGHT, I am not familiar with 10 speed derailleurs.  It may not have enough travel for your 7 speed double crankset.  10 speed crankset chain rings are positioned closer together than 7 speed crankset chain rings.

[JusFoolin]

(06-28-2015, 10:27 PM)nfmisso Wrote:  The rear will work fine, the front MIGHT, I am not familiar with 10 speed derailleurs.  It may not have enough travel for your 7 speed double crankset.  10 speed crankset chain rings are positioned closer together than 7 speed crankset chain rings.

Awesome, thanks!
Seems like we are getting there!
Does anyone else have any experience with using a front shifter designed but 10speed on a 7speed??