9 speed thumbies - best option?

[Ackers]

I have the SJS versions on my daily and use in friction mode. Right shifter is a joy but left can be a little awkward with the amount of throw. They also mount using the bolt from the shifter unlike the Pauls. I can post a pic of my setup if you like?

 

[bold stelvis]

that would be great, cheers!

 

[Gunk]

thanks for the links (and the pics!)

I know where to purchase, just more looking for any thoughts on pros, cons, how are they to actually use etc

My son bought the bike off fleabay with all the Paul stuff fitted, he really likes the thumb shifters, I’ve ridden it and personally I prefer a decent set of MTB trigger shifters, but that’s just my personal preference.

 

[Ackers]

that would be great, cheers!

Here we go. They are angled very low, mainly for cable clearance with my light as the cables are higher up than trigger shifters.

 

[bold stelvis]

cheers

 

[Waterford 45]

Would friction only do you? I've Suntour XC from the 1980's new with cables if youre interested?

 

[joglo]

hi, interesting topic,
I'm a big thumb shifter fan, but also like to run at least the bikes I build to use them more regularly meanwhile without a front mech. but ideally with bit wider cassette, 1-9 or 1-10 with 11-36 bandwidth for instance.

For that I have tried a few options.
Not my pic,

but I'm using or have used

- Shimano XT 7-speed thumbies, using the additional shifting postion with 8 speed cassettes
Still maybe the most recommended set-up. You do get also some cassettes with with 11-34t, so maybe 8 speed is good to go, unless you need more smaller steps between the speeds.

- Shimano DuraAce bar-end shifter with Thump shifter mounts (there are even alternative ones to Paul)
First of all keep in mind, there are certain DuraAce generations not matching with other RR or MTB (oldschool) rear mechs.
Secondly, I do like the sophisticated and extravagant style,

but ergonomic-wise, it has some limitations.
The shift lever isn't designed well for this position. Also with regards to the angle it's not as good as XT thumbies


- Sunrace Thumbies,
In my humble opinion, crap, or at least no fun to shift!
I can recommend giving it a try, but i have heard meanwhile a lot of comments, which do share my opinion. Not a valid option if you want something matching experience with Shimano thumbies.
I was regretting even the 20€ i have spend on such a shifter and done a hack to use the shifter mount from the Sunrace for an left over Microshift Barend-shifter
https://www.mtb-news.de/forum/t/erfahrungen-mit-microshift-daumenschalthebeln.620264/post-17950485

- last but not least, my favorite one, the Microshift Thumbie.
There are a few different models, and especially the ones with 8 or 9, nowadays even 10speed (road!, the MTB is for Dyna-Sys and doesn't work with old MTB mech) are meanwhile quite hard to get, or overpriced. But it's worth the effort, because you can adjust them easily for the perfect and fast/crisp gear shift.
They also look great, the silver one with the mount with the cut outs fits to some custom brake lever



the black one looks decent but is a nice fun stick.

I've bought that one when the 9 speed variant just turned into a discontinued model, for just 30 bucks in sale. I should have bought 10 more of it!

 

[bold stelvis]

what an awesome reply - exactly what I was after.

Thanks @joglo !!

 

[bold stelvis]

Would friction only do you?

thanks for the offer but kinda no (on the back at least) - too used to indexing on the rear to give that up

 

[bold stelvis]

for anyone else following along the german forum thread linked to in Joglo's post is also well worth a deeper dive (google translate works well enough!)

https://www.mtb-news.de/forum/t/erfahrungen-mit-microshift-daumenschalthebeln.620264/page-26