8-speed Mtn front shifter compatibility

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09-26-20, 05:50 PM

mda2345

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8-speed Mtn front shifter compatibility

I need to replace the front (left) shifter on an old Stumpjumper (1999?) with an 8-speed triple gearing. Do I need to find a specifically 8-speed shifter or will a 9-speed shifter work (or any other speed shifter)?
Thanks in advance.

09-26-20, 05:54 PM

Bill Kapaun

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Up though 9 speed (at least) the left shifter is the same on mountain bikes.
Friction shifters work on anything.

09-26-20, 08:51 PM

ShannonM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Kapaun

Up though 9 speed (at least) the left shifter is the same on mountain bikes.
Friction shifters work on anything.

True, but AFAIK your only option for friction MTB shifters are thumbshifters. Which are my preference, since 1) I hate every underbar shifter I've ever used, 2) I won't use grip shifters anymore, since I exploded a Deore XT rear derailleur trying to make a full-hand, bailout downshift while standing on the pedals and pulling on the bars, and 3) I think indexed front shifting is one of the dumbest ideas in the history of the bicycle.

As far as answering the question, you already did that, so my post is utterly superfluous.

--Shannon