7 speed thumb shifters apart from XT

[ibbz]

Was looking at 7 speed thumb shifters from around 1990 +\- a year or two

I think XT ones aren’t the most attractive - no doubt they’re the best performing, but the dark round design doesn’t do it for me.

I’d there anything else Shimano compatible out there which are pretty nice looking and work relatively well indexing? (Or just friction of index isn’t an option)

How’re the Sachs Huret like ?

 

[winjohn]

Suntour are good

 

[Markybeau]

What he said ^^^

 

[ibbz]

What he said ^^^

Are they Shimano compatible in indexing ?

 

[ibbz]

Or friction only?

 

[ibbz]

Suntour are good

These?

S

For Sale Thread 'Suntour Power Thumb Shifters & Cosmic Trail Saddle Bag'

Sep 24, 2025

Suntour Power Thumb Shifters. good condition. 42posted UK only

SOLD Cosmic Trail Saddle Bag. good condition, a few marks on the underside that might clean off with some effort. 12posted UK only

PM me for more info

• scant
• Replies: 5
• Forum: MTB For Sale

 

[winjohn]

I think those are friction only but have a very good reputation. I had the XC LTD ones on mmy 91 Kona Cindercone and they were indexed to a Suntour rear mech but I understand they work fine with Shimano.

 

[Bluejohn]

If you don't mind friction there's a whole world of possibilities - Suntour power ratchets are good, you can also fit downtube levers or bar end shifters onto bosses for flat bars which gives a lot of choice.

 

[Tootyred]

Suntour indexing works fine with shimano cassettes. I've done it since 1991.

In fact both 7 and 8 speeds on their xc range work fine, with 8 being my preferred choice. And they are actually 8 rather than forcing (read knackering) xt by ramming the bearing over the spring mount for that "hidden 8th click *

Suntour are far better shifters too, the construction removes the issue of them going "wobbly " like old xt...oh and they are lighter.

If you get and old pair, i did a rebuild thread on them somewhere on here a few years back.

Xc pro are basically identical to comp, save black paint, the barrel design and the grip cover. Xc Expert have a different ratchet mechanism and plastic bits, but work just fine.



* I've never understood this myth...

 

[winjohn]

If you don't mind friction there's a whole world of possibilities - Suntour power ratchets are good, you can also fit downtube levers or bar end shifters onto bosses for flat bars which gives a lot of choice.

That's interesting, I have never seen these bosses for flat bars, that would be very useful.