Thumbshifters that fit with Hope disc levers

[neil__j]

I know its a bit modern, but I'm building a retro style lightweight XC bike from new bits (hardtail, flat bars and barends, 8 speed etc.), but really want to use thumbshifters with it as I've never got on with STI levers and don't like the idea of gripshift.

The problem is that XT thumbshifters sit in the wrong place and clash with the brake fluid reservoir on Hope levers. I've tried swapping them round and in various positions, but they just won't work together so I need something else.

SJS Cycles sell these which are Ultegra road shifters on new mounts, but aren't exactly cheap. They look smaller diameter than XT thumbshifters and are mounted more over the bar, but does anyone know if they will fit?

Or are there any other alternatives that would work? The gap from the bar to the reservoir is about 14mm.

 

[one-eyed_jim]

Could you swap the brake levers left to right? The reservoir doesn't have to be on top, does it?

Just laugh at me if this is totally dumb.

 

[hoegaardenadds1]

yes the resevoir does have to be on top as they are an open system. tee hee

 

[hoegaardenadds1]

mount the thumbies under the bar?

 

[stevet1]

I have the forge thumbie mounts which I think are the same as the ones sjs sells. Basically the thumbie sits almost on top of the bar wheras you can see the XT one sits outboard more hitting your brake lever. So I reckon they probably would fit. Here's a (not very good) pic of mine with old Hopes levers (which admittedly have the advantage of being able to rotate the reservoir)

Please ignore the carriage clock camera

I do recall that I had to file the mounts slightly to clear the hose connector but that was easy enough.

 

[Agency_Scum]

They will fit. I've had a couple of pairs. They are Forge thumbies at SJS ( they bought all their stock when Forge folded ). If you want to keep the XTs then fit the lod Deore/LX/XT disc levers; the angle's a little sharp but nowhere near as bad as the Hopes.

 

[JeRkY]

Ive some pauls thumbie mounts on the way to me. If I get them in time, I'll prop them up against one of my other bikes with hope levers (mono minis) and see how they look.

Think they are the same sort of deal as the SJS ones.

 

[neil__j]

Thanks for all the replies guys, looks like I'll be going the SJS/Forge route. Found a picture of the Pauls mounts and they have the shifter high up but a long way forward so the Forge version looks like it should be a better fit.

 

[Agency_Scum]

If you find just the mounts I have the 9 speed bar-con shifters to fit them.

 

[neil__j]

Thanks for the offer, but I'm sticking with 7/8 speed bits where possible...