Osmo

Hi, all,

I wonder if anyone is able to point me in the right direction.

My 30+ year old Dawes Wildcat (new probably 1988) has come out of hiding and I’ve replaced the cables and tyres and all works lovely.

I’m interested in updating the current friction thumb shifters to the newer click ones. Is that easy, possible?

I don’t know all the technical terms so bear with me but...

Code near hand grips/brake levers says BL-M350
Left thumb shift says Shimano Light Action
Right thumb shift says Shimano SIS

Front gears (3 cogs) says Shimano Biopace
Rear gears (6 cogs) says Exage Trail

If anyone can help, that would be awesome.

clubman 

Those should be indexed already. There were many Exage models but I don't recall seeing one that didn't index. You'll need 10 posts to upload pics. My 88 C-dale came with Exage mtn.

Osmo

Thanks for such a speedy reply. Does that mean then that the system itself is all ready for me to simply replace the thumb shifters? What do I need to be aware of when choosing the replacement?

clubman 

I think I need pics. If the below are your shifters, the indexing is engaged by the little black trigger on the rear shifter. It's possible that the front is friction only, I've never used those.
I'd consider a 7 speed system for better choices all around. The Shimano 6 speed cassettes were usually Uniglide, which can be difficult to find these days.

brian3069

Your existing shifter should index if it's working properly. Most of these shifters have a small lever so they can be switched from index to friction, maybe yours is set to friction.

brian3069

markk900

I have Exage Trail on my Miele Aries: to confirm front shifter is friction only, rear is 6 speed with that switch - indexed works absolutely fine.

CO_Hoya 

Pic assist of OP's bike:




Your shifters are labeled "SIS" which is the acronym for "Shimano Indexed Shifting"

Trakhak

"SIS" is Shimano's acronym for "Shimano Integrated System."

CO_Hoya 

Hmm. You should tell that to whomever is Shimano's webmaster (link):

clubman 

I think it's a cool bike, lugged, bright 80's colour. If it fits, you like riding it and if your low mileage drivetrain works fine, just invest in lightening up the stem, bars, seat post and saddle, lose the gear guard and definitely speedo, it ruins your cable run.
Flip the switch and engage the rear indexing. Front shifts are easy in friction.

Of course this is what you should do if it were my bike.

Osmo

Thanks to you all for helping out. Well, she's been mine since about the age of 14. I think I remember flipping that switch and for some reason putting it back; maybe the gears didn't change as smoothly so I put it back.

Not been ridden for many years and the mileage on that speedo says 685. A few rust spots here and there but nothing major. It'll just be a runaround bike for now to go out with the family. Thanks again.