Shimano 8 Speed Gear Levers???

Levi_501

I am currently looking at building up another bike to try a few different things out. However, the thing I am struggling with, are the gear lever pods.

In an ideal world I would love some 3x8 XTR ones, without window pods.

The only new eight speed gear levers I can find are the Alivio or Altus Acera ones. Has anyone tried these, are they any good or shockingly sh one t?

There does seem to be quite a few new but old 3x8 combined brake and gear lever pods for sale on such websites as ebay.

Does anyone think it would be possible to buy used 3x8 XT or XTR pods strip, all the mechanisms out and then fit the mechanisms from a new, but old, combined brake/gear pod? Are the internals the same?

Another thought, would be to try and fit the eight speeds mechanism in to a nine speed pod.

supersonic

I use bog standard Shimano 3x8 on my Zaskar LE runaround bike. And you know what? I prefer it to my SLX/XTR 10 speed set up. The new Altus stuff, or older Acera/Alivio is very good.

cooldad

Or if you can pick up some nice old STX RC - classic.

raldat

I have Alivio on my commuter. Very happy with them. Can't really tell to much difference from my slx on the 'good' bike.

Levi_501

I think I might buy a pair of Alivios to try them and see what they are like and keep my eyes out for anything better.

From memory, the gear levers on my R8 are either SLX or STX; they are great.