Shimano 7-speed DT shifters with broken tabs
03-01-24, 06:32 AM
#1
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Shimano 7-speed DT shifters with broken tabs
Hi all,
So over the years I have accumulated three 7-speed SIS DT shifters; two Light Actions and one 6400.
I was riding with the Light Action one (in the center of the picture) and it suddenly lost all indexing. I think the end of the spring that you can see is not in its usual position; looks like the part of the shifter frame that holds that spring has cracked. Could not see any falling parts while I took it apart but a similar Light Action lever on the left has a more enclosed place for the spring. So I assume the shifter has retired and this is the end of it.
While I disassembled it I took a better look at the two other spare shifters that I have. Looks like every one of these shifters have the broken tabs that Sheldon has written about this here: https://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_aa-l.html#600 (Though Sheldon claims only the old 6s 600EX suffers from this?)
Such a bummer! Do you think I have to throw these away? I thought I had enough of these things to last a lifetime. Must one hunt down a NOS pair to get a good reliable set or am I just unlucky? I still have a near new pair of 600EX shifters but I will have to use it on friction mode since it's only 6 speed SIS.
So over the years I have accumulated three 7-speed SIS DT shifters; two Light Actions and one 6400.
I was riding with the Light Action one (in the center of the picture) and it suddenly lost all indexing. I think the end of the spring that you can see is not in its usual position; looks like the part of the shifter frame that holds that spring has cracked. Could not see any falling parts while I took it apart but a similar Light Action lever on the left has a more enclosed place for the spring. So I assume the shifter has retired and this is the end of it.
While I disassembled it I took a better look at the two other spare shifters that I have. Looks like every one of these shifters have the broken tabs that Sheldon has written about this here: https://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_aa-l.html#600 (Though Sheldon claims only the old 6s 600EX suffers from this?)
Such a bummer! Do you think I have to throw these away? I thought I had enough of these things to last a lifetime. Must one hunt down a NOS pair to get a good reliable set or am I just unlucky? I still have a near new pair of 600EX shifters but I will have to use it on friction mode since it's only 6 speed SIS.
03-01-24, 07:45 AM
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Old 7 speed shifters are cheap. Look around.
03-01-24, 07:54 AM
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That's very interesting. I've only ever seen the tabs break off on 6208 6 speed DT shifters.
Do you use boss mounts with indents for the tabs? If the boss mounts have a smooth ring instead of one with indents/pockets for the tabs, that might put too much pressure on the tabs.
Do you use boss mounts with indents for the tabs? If the boss mounts have a smooth ring instead of one with indents/pockets for the tabs, that might put too much pressure on the tabs.
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03-01-24, 09:26 AM
#4
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That's very interesting. I've only ever seen the tabs break off on 6208 6 speed DT shifters.
Do you use boss mounts with indents for the tabs? If the boss mounts have a smooth ring instead of one with indents/pockets for the tabs, that might put too much pressure on the tabs.
Do you use boss mounts with indents for the tabs? If the boss mounts have a smooth ring instead of one with indents/pockets for the tabs, that might put too much pressure on the tabs.
That seems to be the case! I just did a search on Ebay, there are many available at less than 50 euros. I think I will go for those.
03-01-24, 09:42 AM
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I know this seems cheesy but consider putting a set of 7speed MTB thumbies on the drop bars they should fit fine and are cheap work good and you can place them in multiple positions to get a setup that works for you. If your running 7speed stuff road or MTB my personal choice are Shimano LX thumbies with the friction overide trim controll they work fairly good with 6/7 and even 8 speed stuff.
Last edited by zukahn1; 03-01-24 at 09:49 AM.
03-01-24, 06:56 PM
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Thank you for your comment, now that you mentioned it, I went around my parts bins and found both types. I am not sure anymore which one I have used since I have them all mixed up. But for sure it is possible I have used the incorrect one at least at some point since I was not even fully aware of this. This might be my problem.
That seems to be the case! I just did a search on Ebay, there are many available at less than 50 euros. I think I will go for those.
That seems to be the case! I just did a search on Ebay, there are many available at less than 50 euros. I think I will go for those.
I bought a used set of '89 105 DT levers for $5 the other day at a coop.
03-01-24, 08:18 PM
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I'm not sure if this will help or not. My wife has had issues with the 6208 shifters breaking. I think eventually the replacement RSX also had a problem.
I have used the 7401 Dura Ace DT shifters and have not had a problem. I have no idea if they are built differently. I do know the shifting was quite positive and the audible click is very loud.
To use them with a non-Dura Ace RD I used alternate cable routing and had no problems. They are not cheap, and I don't know if they have tabs that break, but if you don't mind the expense and having to fiddle with them, it might be worth it.
It is funny, I'm running Ultegra 6401 8 speed and they seem like junk compared to the Dura Ace.
John
I have used the 7401 Dura Ace DT shifters and have not had a problem. I have no idea if they are built differently. I do know the shifting was quite positive and the audible click is very loud.
To use them with a non-Dura Ace RD I used alternate cable routing and had no problems. They are not cheap, and I don't know if they have tabs that break, but if you don't mind the expense and having to fiddle with them, it might be worth it.
It is funny, I'm running Ultegra 6401 8 speed and they seem like junk compared to the Dura Ace.
John
03-01-24, 08:30 PM
#8
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I had 6208 6 speed SIS on my commuter and suffered with poor indexing due to broken tabs for a few years. It wasn’t horrible, but I finally got tired of it and “upgraded” to SL-1050. What a difference! So positive with good clicks now. Don’t know why I waited so long…
I think 1051 and 1055 are 7 speed.
I think 1051 and 1055 are 7 speed.
03-02-24, 12:01 AM
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