Originally Posted by
Herzlos
So why don't the higher end systems have it? It doesn't strike me as something particularly expensive to do, and whilst not everyone will use them all of the time it wouldn't hurt. They seem standard on everything about Alivio and under, so I'm assuming it's a conscious decision by manufacturers not to.
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The new XT and SLX shifters I bought last year came with removable gear indicators. So apparently Shimano thinks some people want one.
As far as why not include them….
One reason has already been suggested (essentially uncool)
But also, they can screw with placement on the bar with a brake lever. I would not be able to set up mine the way I want with the gear indicator still attached.
But the latter need not apply to gripshifters.