6spd shifter options

[Kerplunk]

(Not really sure which bit of the forum this should be in so feel free to move it mods.)

My 7 year old has just moved onto a geared bike and its 6 speed grip shift. He's just not getting on with the grip shift as its too stiff for him. There seems to be a dearth of 6spd trigger shifters with only the Shimano Tourney TX-50 out there. Does anyone know if they're any good or has anyone else found an alternative? I'm half tempted to just covert to 7spd but that would mean putting a washer on the rear axle as the rear OLN isn't quite wide enough.

 

[02gf74]

I thought sprocket spacing on cassette was the same up to and including 8 speed.

Could you nit used 8 spd shifter but adjust cable so the last to poistions cannot be reached? The mech limit screw will prevent it being pulled past the largest sprocket.

 

[hamster]

Sprocket spacing is 5.5mm for 6, 5.0 for 7 and 4.8mm for 8 speed. Definitely you need different shifters.

The solution I used for exactly the same problem was an old 6 speed thumbshifter. If need be the child can grip it with the whole hand to turn it.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re:

Old bike then, most new bikes would be 8sp for that age and the gripshifts are quite light to use.

It could just need a clean and Vaseline up.
But if they are it hard then stick the Shimano stuff on.

 

[Kerplunk]

Re:

New bike, 6spd seems to be standard for 20" wheel bikes even though you'd think it would be more cost effective for manufacturers to go 7spd. Had a nive long ride with him on friday and he seems to be getting the hang of the gripshift now so will probably just leave it as it is.