richard4993

I have an older mountain bike with damaged shifters and was wondering what the most cost friendly options would be that will work on Cantilever Brakes.

The brake handle is bent and a trigger is missing it's plastic cover so I don't think theres much sense in repairing them.

melloveloyellow

7 Speed?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YSS8TK/..._26725410_item

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ZM9RX6/..._26725410_item

and

Shimano BL-R550 Canti Brake Lever Set, Flat Bar, Black

Or SRAM MRX Comp twistie shifters, my favorite.

richard4993

Yes, It is a 3X7. Anybody know of any combined brake and shift units that will work.

MR BIG STUFF

Ebay some old LX/DX or get separate levers.

Anything new is going to be junk. Like walmart level junk.

Andy_K 

The problem you're going to have is that all modern mountain bike levers are designed for long pull brakes (V-brakes), so unless you find something used any combined brake a shift units aren't going to work well with your cantilevers. You might be able to adjust the cantilevers to get it to work, but it's not what they're designed for.

You could either upgrade to V-brakes (well worth the cost, IMO) or buy separate shifters and brake levers. I think there is something to be said for separate shifters and brake levers because they aren't usually much more expensive and you wouldn't need to replace both if just one broke.

These shifters should work for you at a very reasonable price:

https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...7&category=770

Depending on how old your bike is, you could have some compatibility issues with the front derailleur. Again, that will be true with most modern mountain bike shifters.

These aren't quite as nice, but they use friction shifting for the front, so they wouldn't have the compatibility problem.

https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...6&category=770

The brake levers melloveloyellow linked to are very good for cantilevers. If you want to keep your options open, the Avid SpeedDial levers have adjustable pull so they can be adjusted to work well with either cantilevers or V-brakes.

Avid Speed Dial 7 Levers > Components > Brakes > Mountain Brake Levers | Jenson USA

dsbrantjr

This is my approach, I find that being able to set my brake and shift levers' positions separately is useful.

IIRC there is are sub-models of the ST-EF51 brake/shifter that can be changed from canti to V-brakes by moving a small pivot block, and should be available new. The ST-EF29s on my old Trek 750 are adjustable the same way.

MR BIG STUFF

Good point Andy, you probably won't be able to find anything new that will work with cantilevers.

Bill Kapaun

ST EF-51, EF-65 are a couple.
You need the 4 FINGER VERSION.
Suffix will have a -4A or similar.
2 Finger are V only.




https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-Mounta.../dp/B00OZPETTO
Example is the bottom option 3X9 with the 4 finger version.
Select the top option. (non 2A)
Scroll down a ways and it'll say compatible with multiple brake systems under product description.

melloveloyellow

I have a set of used Deore DX "brifters". They've been in my parts bin for many years - since last century! They worked fine when I was using them (with canti's and 3x7 drivetrain). If you're interested in them, I'll post pix.