7 speed thumb shifters apart from XT

[Bluejohn]

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

There are a few versions - Velo Orange do some and Freshtripe do their own...

Freshtripe mounts
Velo Orange

I think most bar end levers will mount straight onto the bosses but you will need a flat adapter for downtube levers.
If you search on AliEpress you can also find a similar type of mount on there too.
If you have indexed downtube or bar end levers you can retain indexing - I use the ones that can flip between friction and indexing so I can choose depending on my mood.

 

[ibbz]

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...

Thanks
Determining which period correct shifters for a 1990 bike
7 speed
wanted something which is very nicely built preferably in a metal / alloy material which, to
Quote Henry Fonda, shines like the door of a whorehouse

 

[ibbz]

There are a few versions - Velo Orange do some and Freshtripe do their own...

Freshtripe mounts
Velo Orange

I think most bar end levers will mount straight onto the bosses but you will need a flat adapter for downtube levers.
If you search on AliEpress you can also find a similar type of mount on there too.
If you have indexed downtube or bar end levers you can retain indexing - I use the ones that can flip between friction and indexing so I can choose depending on my mood.

I did consider Dura Ace shifters with Paul brackets once for another build

 

[Bluejohn]

I did consider Dura Ace shifters with Paul brackets once for another build

The AliExpress ones are Paul clones - I got a pair out of curiosity and tbh they're really very good quality.

 

[ibbz]

The AliExpress ones are Paul clones - I got a pair out of curiosity and tbh they're really very good quality.

I’m going to check em out!

 

[winjohn]

If anyone finds the AliExpress brackets can they post the link, I have been looking but can't find any. I have a few decent quality Shimano 600and DuraAce downtube shifters that I'd like to try on straight bars but the price of Velo Orange or Paul brackets makes it uneconomical and it would be cheaper to buy a set of Suntour straight bar shifters.

 

[winjohn]

Aha, success, using the search term "Paul" was the trick.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006888306471.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.2.6b4c2v3s2v3sVL&algo_pvid=8a7bf232-5b8f-4a41-bd5e-d41190be9f79&algo_exp_id=8a7bf232-5b8f-4a41-bd5e-d41190be9f79-1&pdp_ext_f={"order":"154","eval":"1","fromPage":"search"}&pdp_npi=6@dis!GBP!20.43!5.20!!!185.40!47.18!@211b612517626877747853612e2fb6!12000038625303895!sea!UK!0!ABX!1!0!n_tag:-29910;d:cd19b70e;m03_new_user:-29895;pisId:5000000187686076&curPageLogUid=UpveU6nzpkeF&utparam-url=scene:search|query_from:|x_object_id:1005006888306471|_p_origin_prod:

 

[legrandefromage]

DNP Epoch

As good as any shimano and they even came in 8spd. Imagine the look on your friends faces as they ooh an arggggghhh at them without a hint of recognition

...of course, finding a set is the fun part

 

[Bluejohn]

If anyone finds the AliExpress brackets can they post the link, I have been looking but can't find any. I have a few decent quality Shimano 600and DuraAce downtube shifters that I'd like to try on straight bars but the price of Velo Orange or Paul brackets makes it uneconomical and it would be cheaper to buy a set of Suntour straight bar shifters.

You'll need a couple of flat adapters with downtube shifters- Freshtripe does them for £4 each but I expect they're available elsewhere, or I have seen someone take a file to a downtube set and flatten the base off.

 

[ibbz]

Aha, success, using the search term "Paul" was the trick.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006888306471.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.2.6b4c2v3s2v3sVL&algo_pvid=8a7bf232-5b8f-4a41-bd5e-d41190be9f79&algo_exp_id=8a7bf232-5b8f-4a41-bd5e-d41190be9f79-1&pdp_ext_f={"order":"154","eval":"1","fromPage":"search"}&pdp_npi=6@dis!GBP!20.43!5.20!!!185.40!47.18!@211b612517626877747853612e2fb6!12000038625303895!sea!UK!0!ABX!1!0!n_tag:-29910;d:cd19b70e;m03_new_user:-29895;pisId:5000000187686076&curPageLogUid=UpveU6nzpkeF&utparam-url=scene:search|query_from:|x_object_id:1005006888306471|_p_origin_prod:

Damn they’re good value - if they are built as well as they look