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Using MT-201 hydraulic brake shifter with Shimano EZ-501 integrated shifter

arbjarbj Posts: 10
in MTB workshop & tech
My MTB came with Shimano ST-EF500 (3x8) integrated type shifters for front and rear, and mechanical disc brakes. I want to upgrade to Shimano MT-201 hydraulic disc brakes. One way to do this is to replace the shifters entirely, but this is costly.

The second way is to remove the brake lever from the ST-EF500 and use it only for gear shifting and use the MT-201 for brakes. This way I only need to buy the MR-201 brake set pair.

I want to know if this is possible?

Thanks
Nm

Posts

  • The RookieThe Rookie Posts: 27,811
    No, you'll need new shifters.

    As you'll see here, it's a single one piece housing.
    https://si.shimano.com/en/ev/ST-EF500-3982
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • arbjarbj Posts: 10
    Is it possible to remove only the brake lever from the ST-EF500 assembly, and leave gear levers attached?
  • The RookieThe Rookie Posts: 27,811
    Well yes, but you'll have a big clunky housing and struggle to mount the two.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • me-109me-109 Posts: 1,907
    The Rookie said:

    Well yes, but you'll have a big clunky housing and struggle to mount the two.

    If you could get the old shifters on the bar they would be so far inboard as to be useless.

    20 quid for a pair of Altus shifters on the bay of fleas. I'm sure such old tech would be quite cheap through the Wiggles of the world.
  • reaperactualreaperactual Posts: 1,183
    edited October 2022
    Did the same hydro brake and said Altus shifter conversion for a friend's hybid a couple of years ago.

    I bought the Altus (SL-M310) 3x8 shifters from ebay (Chinese seller with genuine U.K. stock delivered in a couple of working days) for around £18. Basic shifters but they are still working fine and fit properly with the brakes you intend to put them with.

    Worth the cost instead of the dodgy hack that I doubt very much would be workable. 🪙🪙
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