when was last year bike manufactures used thumbies

[DeletedUser006]

Re:

I seem to recall that because of the early STI failures some companies including Kona fitted Thumbies to increase reliability , I swapped out so many 300lx STI units from raleigh Mirages under warranty when I worked in my local Raleigh bikeshop in the early 90's

 

[captaincosmic]

Re:

1991
But we still used them for years after
91 was push push
92 rapidfire and XTR was born

 

[retroyetirigid]

The last year Shimano listed XT and Deore (DX) in their catalogue was 1993. Was also the last year before they went compact.

 

[FluffyChicken]

The last year Shimano listed XT and Deore (DX) in their catalogue was 1993. Was also the last year before they went compact.

I don't quite get this, what's it got to do with thumbies.
XT also still lives today and has never been dropped.
Compact&110 ran alongside for a longtime after, not just in a level but between ranges.

As I mentioned before and the almost instant switch, Shimano had removed thumbies from all but the lowliest in the range, in fact for ATBs it was only 200GS that officially had them as part of the groupset. I believe they where still available as an aftermarket accessory.

www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/v/Manufact ... gues/1990/

Hence the reason for the almost instant switchover. Everything bottom end to mid range to high end was awash with the new tech if the day ;-)

It was good marketing, only rebels would play against the might with gripshift or old tech thumbies or them other brands.

 

[legrandefromage]

Yes, it was pretty much an instant switch. Thumbies had been pretty much the sole method of shifting so when a two lever ratchet mechanism appeared, it had to be shown as the new technology for the new decade.

 

[rc200ti]

Kona were still speccing XCPro thumbies for their top end bikes in their '94 catalogue.

 

[ferrus]

Re:

Campag were still using thumbies in '95 ..can't recall many bikes spec'd with Campag this late though.

 

[brocklanders023]

The last year Shimano listed XT and Deore (DX) in their catalogue was 1993. Was also the last year before they went compact.

I don't quite get this, what's it got to do with thumbies.
XT also still lives today and has never been dropped.
Compact&110 ran alongside for a longtime after, not just in a level but between ranges.

As I mentioned before and the almost instant switch, Shimano had removed thumbies from all but the lowliest in the range, in fact for ATBs it was only 200GS that officially had them as part of the groupset. I believe they where still available as an aftermarket accessory.

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/v/M ... gues/1990/

Hence the reason for the almost instant switchover. Everything bottom end to mid range to high end was awash with the new tech if the day ;-)

It was good marketing, only rebels would play against the might with gripshift or old tech thumbies or them other brands.

The archive of the 1991 Shimano range show thumbies as a groupset option.

 

[retroyetirigid]

The last year Shimano listed XT and Deore (DX) in their catalogue was 1993. Was also the last year before they went compact.

I don't quite get this, what's it got to do with thumbies.
XT also still lives today and has never been dropped.
Compact&110 ran alongside for a longtime after, not just in a level but between ranges.

As I mentioned before and the almost instant switch, Shimano had removed thumbies from all but the lowliest in the range, in fact for ATBs it was only 200GS that officially had them as part of the groupset. I believe they where still available as an aftermarket accessory.

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/v/M ... gues/1990/

Hence the reason for the almost instant switchover. Everything bottom end to mid range to high end was awash with the new tech if the day ;-)

It was good marketing, only rebels would play against the might with gripshift or old tech thumbies or them other brands.

I meant XT and Deore thumbies

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re:

Makes more sense, lol.

I don't know the 93 catalogue, if you have a full scan of any version. It would be better than what we have on here.

They are also listed in 91 and 92 but only as an after thought in the main catalogues, they are listed with a touch of detail but not pictured, in the dealer manuals.

But tried to pretty much removed out and even 200GS had the thumbie removed from the group set pictures after 1990. Hence the rapid switchover I'm trying to explain.

I believe 1993 the final nail in the coffin as mentioned, was also the last year in the big book of magic, I mean Dealers manual, it was listed. But I don't have that.

Suntour on the other hand kept on plugging it and picturing it till their death circa '94/'95