Microshift Thumb Shifters or Is There a Better Option?
02-14-19, 05:59 AM
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Microshift Thumb Shifters or Is There a Better Option?
I am upgrading my Salsa Casseroll and have received a lot of help with upgrade choices on this forum; so I thought I would run this idea past you folks. I am going to change the bke to flat bars probably Jones Bars or more likely the VO Crazy Bars. I think the Crazy Bar will be more like riding on my drop bar hoods. I am also going to upgrade the bike from 9 to 10 speed (road derailleurs).
To try and keep the traditional retro look of the Salsa I was thinking about thumb shifters like the handle bar mount Microshift Thumbies - they are available in 10 speed and will support a double or triple front crankset. The rear is indexed. I also considered using something like Shimano Dura-Ace bar end levers mounted on VO or Paul Thumbies mounts. However, that just seems to be a more expensive way of doing the same thing as the Microsoft Thumb Shifters - which I have seen for around $90 for the set. While I think the Shimano or some sort of vintage thumb shifters mounted on thumbies mounts may look a tab more retro I figure that option would be at least $50 more. Whatever way I go I need a 10 speed indexed shifter for the rear. (I have some brake levers ordered already)
Does anyone have any thoughts on the Microshift 10 speed thumb shifters (red - road version)? And more importantly does anyone have any other suggestions/recommendations on bar end/thumbies that would be a better option than the Microshift thumb shifters?
To try and keep the traditional retro look of the Salsa I was thinking about thumb shifters like the handle bar mount Microshift Thumbies - they are available in 10 speed and will support a double or triple front crankset. The rear is indexed. I also considered using something like Shimano Dura-Ace bar end levers mounted on VO or Paul Thumbies mounts. However, that just seems to be a more expensive way of doing the same thing as the Microsoft Thumb Shifters - which I have seen for around $90 for the set. While I think the Shimano or some sort of vintage thumb shifters mounted on thumbies mounts may look a tab more retro I figure that option would be at least $50 more. Whatever way I go I need a 10 speed indexed shifter for the rear. (I have some brake levers ordered already)
Does anyone have any thoughts on the Microshift 10 speed thumb shifters (red - road version)? And more importantly does anyone have any other suggestions/recommendations on bar end/thumbies that would be a better option than the Microshift thumb shifters?
02-14-19, 06:14 AM
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Some people have said that anything indexed that's over 8 speeds, feels like friction shifting anyway, because the gears are so close together. Regarding indexed 10 speed thumb shifters, I don't think there is any option than Microshift. Just cheapo $20 friction shifters, or something vintage. Or bar end shifters.
02-14-19, 07:27 AM
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Some people have said that anything indexed that's over 8 speeds, feels like friction shifting anyway, because the gears are so close together. Regarding indexed 10 speed thumb shifters, I don't think there is any option than Microshift. Just cheapo $20 friction shifters, or something vintage. Or bar end shifters.
https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...7&category=774
Personally, I would get 9 speed triggers (9 speed road and MTN have the same cable pull ratios) or swap the 10 speed RD with a mountain RD that is compatible with MTN triggers.
I have also read that mounting the thumbies upside down is more comfortable, but you will also have to run them on opposite side (right-left). It is said that was common in the 80’s before triggers were common.
02-14-19, 12:07 PM
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as OP says thumbie mounts .. and buying bar end shifter for the lever assembly .. is an option ..
02-15-19, 03:28 PM
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Zero experience with thumbie mounts, but two years running 10s Microshift bar end shifters, they are a little tougher than my Ultegra 6480 and only indexed mode but I'm very satisfied considering that they are cheaper than Shimano equivalent.
02-16-19, 05:01 PM
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I haven't used the Microshift but I might end up using them on a similar set up VO Crazy Bars are awesome and if I hadn't just put new cables and housing and replaced tape and done a whole bunch of stuff to my touring bike you best believe I would be running VO Crazy Bars. I might consider them on my Privateer parts hybrid I built up but the cost would go above the limits I have set for that bike granted the bike is really nice and has some primo components thanks to my nack for scouring parts bins and working deals.
02-16-19, 08:28 PM
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These old Suntour thumb shifters are the bomb. Better than anything they make now. And, they made so many of them you can still get them NOS ...........................
https://www.ebay.com/itm/SUNTOUR-ALP...pa6:rk:45:pf:0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/SUNTOUR-ALP...pa6:rk:45:pf:0
