Replacing Discontinued Shifters
 

Greetings. I am in the process of refurbing an old (2008) Specialized bike and am planning to replace the shifters. I learned that the original shifters are discontinued. These are 8 speed shifters / 24 speed bike,

Original shifters are Shimano Acera SL MC40 for both front & rear. I'd really appreciate any advice on what shifters will be a good fit to replace the originals. I am not concerned about using original equipment – just good quality and a proper fit.

RR

Almost every component on the bikes I’ve built up that last 5 years has been discontinued, doesn’t mean they don’t exist. It’s all out there on the internet, try typing Shimano SL MC40 on an eBay search. I did, and got lots of hits, if you want new add nos into the search. Any similar 8 speed Shimano shifter will probably work, most of which are also discontinued.
Tim

Shimano still makes 8 speed shifters. Take a look at them. I may be wrong, but I don't think there were any changes to pull ratios and such between then and now for 8 speed stuff. Here are some part numbers you can google to see if any new are in stock. Put Shimano as a search term with each one. Not every one of these will be the type lever you want.

SL-M360-R
SL-M310-8R
SL-M315-8R
SL-RS47-8R
SL-RS45-8R
ST-M310-8R2
ST-M310-8R4
ST-TX800-8R
ST-EF65-8R2
ST-EF65-8R4
ST-EF500-8R2A
ST-EF500-8R4A
ST-EF510-8R2A
ST-EF510-8R4A
ST-EF505-8R

Microshift probably has something too. People seem to like them as replacements for long gone Shimano stuff.

Shimano, Microshift and SunTace all have various types of 3x8 shifters that a major LBS parts supplier, QBP, have in stock. I suspect the thumb and twist grip types are not acceptable (you mention "proper fit" and these are not the twin lever design like your current ones are). As to quality- 8 cogs are pretty much the arena of low cost bikes ridden in a non athletic manor and the cost allows for only so much manufacturing "grade". They will work fine if speced right and installed correctly. Andy

You can also go to Shimano’s manuals and technical documents website, si.Shimano.com, and figure out which 8 speed shifters are recommended for the front and rear derailleurs on your bike. I suspect a bunch listed in the previous post will work.
Tim

The Shimano SL-M315 are their current production 8-speed trigger shifters that are not integrated with brake levers. There are subtle improvements over the SL-M310 that I think may still be available through their distribution channels, but the M315 is probably what you'll find most everywhere. I have a set on a bike and they're good quality, serviceable shifters that will work well with your drivetrain and should last a long time.

.
...or you can just go with the more recent design for integrated ones like these.

IF you have V brakes and don't mind an integrated brake/shifter, I'd go with these.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/38430492336...MaAj1AEALw_wcB

Because those are what I've gone with and they work fine.

I might add, if you are replacing shifters, now would be a good time to upgrade to 9 speed. All you need in addition to the shifter is a 9 speed cassette & chain.

So, it looks like the current production Shimano SL-M315 are a good replacement choice - is that correct?

Yes -- that's what I'd buy to replace your current ones.

The listings I see for theSL-M315 3x8 are usually MTB. Will the supplied cables be long enough / work for road bikes/hybrids?
Thx - RR

You haven't said whether your 2008 Specialized is road or MTB. But if your existing bike is a road bike, you might want to look at the article at the link below. Per that reliable source, Shimano MTB and road front derailleurs have different pull ratios.

https://bike.bikegremlin.com/1297/bi...mpatibility/#6

I've read that elsewhere as well, so I'm pretty sure that's accurate.

If your 2008 Specialized is a MTB and your FD is Shimano, using Shimano MTB shifters of the proper type (double or triple) should be no no problem. But if it's a road bike, theoretically you might have issues if you "mix and match".

Can't say from personal experience one way or another; haven't ever replaced road FD shifters with MTB FD shifters.

His shifters are MTB.

There are Chinese clone knockoff shifters that sometimes have the word Shimano carefully placed in the ad, usually in the pictures or the description but not the title, and are not a Shimano product. This is what you will find first on Amazon. They cost half as much, $20/pair. They might work fine? Take care and caveat emptor.

Not Shimano
https://www.amazon.com/DMAIP-Profess.../dp/B07T72F7J9

Yeah, should have caught that (missed the "Acera" in the OP). But his later question about the cables being long enough for a road bike led me to wonder whether he had a road or MTB.

Yes, the bike is a 2008 Specialized Crossroads Hybrid

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but why do you want to replace the existing shifters, is there something not working or are you looking to upgrade something?

A good cleaning will get the sticky shifters working like new. The factory grease tends to turn to glue after a few years and gum up the ratchets. Just remove the cover and blast the guts with a solvent and work them for a few minutes. But first, fish out the spider nests. Unless they have more surface damage that you want, start with that.