Midorimage
Old School Hero
I just won a pair of Deore XT Thumb Shifters SL-M732 on ebay, I have read there is a phantom click that allows for 8 speed.. but which works better.. an 8 speed cassette or a 7 speed cassette??
Deore XT Thumb Shifters SL-M732 8 speed?
- Thread starter Midorimage
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i run mine slightly different to what might be the norm...
Yes, they do have an extra click at the extreme.
I run an 8 speed block, but i set the limit screw on the derailluer to lock out the smallest cog (12,13 whatever it might be) and then simply run my bike as 7 speed.
Its very very rare that i would ever drop into the 12 cog anywhere except belting along bitumen to get to the trails. I can easily do without it.
I find its indexes and shifts really well set up this way, and i don't miss the smallest cog at all.
I found the phantom click a little finnicky to set up, so that it was not dropping easily from the lowest cassette gear down to the second lowest.
Yes, they do have an extra click at the extreme.
I run an 8 speed block, but i set the limit screw on the derailluer to lock out the smallest cog (12,13 whatever it might be) and then simply run my bike as 7 speed.
Its very very rare that i would ever drop into the 12 cog anywhere except belting along bitumen to get to the trails. I can easily do without it.
I find its indexes and shifts really well set up this way, and i don't miss the smallest cog at all.
I found the phantom click a little finnicky to set up, so that it was not dropping easily from the lowest cassette gear down to the second lowest.
With standard 8-speed spaced blocks, it's easy to get 6 out of 8 sprockets working perfectly, with the last 2 requiring a little bit more effort. No matter what anyone tells you - you won't get it working absolutely 100% but you can get it close enough to be a more than workable solution.
On some older hubs with splines that go all the way out to the edge of the FH body it's possible to use 7-speed (or Dura-ace 8 speed) spacers and get perfect function. But it's a bit more hassle to set up as axle may need to be respaced ever so slightly.
Old Suntour 8-speed and Sachs 8-speed was same spacing as 7-speed and worked perfectly. But both companies accepted Shimano 8-speed spacing quite quickly.
On some older hubs with splines that go all the way out to the edge of the FH body it's possible to use 7-speed (or Dura-ace 8 speed) spacers and get perfect function. But it's a bit more hassle to set up as axle may need to be respaced ever so slightly.
Old Suntour 8-speed and Sachs 8-speed was same spacing as 7-speed and worked perfectly. But both companies accepted Shimano 8-speed spacing quite quickly.
Thanks everyone for this thread, you have just saved me from potential days of hunting for only moderately extortionate priced XT thumbies.
I am currently running a 9 speed rapidfire with 8 speed cassette which is a bit of a faff, difficult to get the indexing right. I thought these would work better!
Why do I want thumbies? Because my bars have a sharp bend in them so the only place to mount shifters leaves them at a ridiculous angle.
I am currently running a 9 speed rapidfire with 8 speed cassette which is a bit of a faff, difficult to get the indexing right. I thought these would work better!
Why do I want thumbies? Because my bars have a sharp bend in them so the only place to mount shifters leaves them at a ridiculous angle.
upgrade the lot to 9 speed with these works of art. pricey they are mind...
http://www.interlocracing.com/shifters.html
http://www.interlocracing.com/shifters.html
poweredbypies
Old School Grand Master
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I use my thumbies (dx) on friction, smooth as a babys bum and near enough silent gear changes 
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To anyone that has tried...
Why not make or modify the indexing plate to be in the correct positions. I cannot remember if the 8th click is just an over shift or not but shouldn't be to hard for someone with the tools to do.
Why not make or modify the indexing plate to be in the correct positions. I cannot remember if the 8th click is just an over shift or not but shouldn't be to hard for someone with the tools to do.
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You hear and read all sorts of nonsense - I'll add to it - I've been running thumbies and an 8spd cassette for getting onto some 15 years and have no shifting issues.
