Gear shifters 7speed :(

tooorangey4crows
tooorangey4crows Posts: 48
edited February 2012 in MTB beginners
Okay all, hope I can get some help here as have a red run trail (Llandegla) organised for Sunday... so, picture the scene, went to Llandegla to complete the blue run ( :oops: gimmie a break, friends first time!) last weekend and before I even got strap the bikes onto the back of the car I fall down the stairs with my Specialized Hardrock DISC 2011 (what you get for carrying upside down I suppose) and basically f**ked the right hand gear shifter. Now I didn't know this at the time but my gears/chain is already sliping all over the place so coupled with the busted shifter and the fantastic weather on Sunday (-3 and frost/snow) it was a nightmare, so basically my gears are wrecked, thus gonna remove the Shimano Altus 7Sp rapid fire lever pod and replace it like for like at first, easy job???

Now, as the young dude from the repair centre at Llandegla essentially said my gear shifters where cheap and nasty, not really meant for that kinda action I though about replacing them as I am keen on replacing any factory fitted parts, hence the Wellgos replaced with DMR's and tyres with 2.25 Nobby Nics...

Phew! SO, my question is this what should I replace the Shimano Altus 7Sp's with? from looking around 7Sp seems to be very much 'old hat' and I found it quite hard to find anything reasonable at all, only some SRAM's and they are incompatible right? they shift a different amount of mm from each other yea?

So, here's some links...
Have http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalo ... FgQ8gIwAQ#
Get? http://www.sram.com/sram/mountain/produ ... x3-trigger / http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sra ... t-ec019691
Decent? and with BRAKES??? http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalo ... F8Q8wIwAw#

As always, any assistance greatly appreciated, I'm in the dark here!
current steeds
mountain - Scott 'Scale 80' [2012]
hybrid - Raliegh 'Urban 3' [2008]

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    nothing wrong with them. they are not the lowest level and 7spd is not really available in higher specs.

    sounds like you really need to inspect the gears and see what is wrong.

    bent mech hanger by any chance?

    and the Sram shifters will not work with your rear mech.

    and Altus is below Alivio.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Thanks for the speedy reply nicklouse, so am I screwed then? nothing better quality around???

    Alivio???

    Forgot to mention the the shifter won't snap back, it pushed forward and can manually 'pull' it back, that's how I know it's goosed, plus the kid told me too.

    By the way 'hi' to the group (2 fellas and girl) who where about to turn onto the red run with 'Noodles' the extremely fit dog! put us all to shame!!! :shock:
    current steeds
    mountain - Scott 'Scale 80' [2012]
    hybrid - Raliegh 'Urban 3' [2008]
  • current steeds
    mountain - Scott 'Scale 80' [2012]
    hybrid - Raliegh 'Urban 3' [2008]
  • thistle_
    thistle_ Posts: 7,121
    I feel your pain finding replacement shifters. I upgraded my old bike to some hydraulic discs but the shifters/brake levers were integrated so I needed new shifters (something you might want to consider if you're ever planning this upgrade). I went with Shimano SLX shifters in the end because they were all I could find in 7 speed at the time, I can't find any Shimano 7 speed shifters on Chain Reaction though now.
    The Altus ones are available on Wiggle/eBay if you're happy with like for like replacement.

    Replacing them isn't too difficult. You will need to take the cable out of the derailleur and pull it through the shifter (usually), therefore it might be easier to cut the old one to get the old shifter off and put a new one in while you're doing it.
    Find out how to set them up yourself (loads of tutorials on the internet). If you've not done it before it will take a few attempts to get it right so don't be put off.

    Like nicklouse says, your shifters/bike is perfectly adequate for Llandegla, and check for a bent mech hanger.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Try loosening the pivot bolt and retightening, can sometimes fix a sticky lever....what makes you think you've damaged anything else?
    An 8 speed shifter will work on a 7 speed bike, you just end up with a 'gear' you can't use.

    That TRX will fit, yes......

    Simon
    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.
  • Those TRX look decent... are they a significant upgrade??? anyone???

    Features & Benefits of the SRAM TRX Gear Shifter
    ■ 2:1 actuation ratio
    ■ Low profile single-lever trigger shifter
    ■ 3 / 7 / 8 Speed
    ■ Shimano compatible :P
    ■ Functional gear indication
    ■ Weight: 260g (pair)
    ■ The SRAM TRX 7 Speed Rear Trigger Shifter has excellent brake lever compatibility

    http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... e=shopping
    current steeds
    mountain - Scott 'Scale 80' [2012]
    hybrid - Raliegh 'Urban 3' [2008]
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Not really an upgrade, no.

    will fit and work fine, but a lot of money really for no benefit.

    Simon
    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.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    Not really an upgrade, no.

    will fit and work fine, but a lot of money really for no benefit.

    Simon
    you missed the
    lever trigger shifter
    they are the really really cheap ones that would be a downgrade from just about any shimano set up.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Did, was confused as the photo seems to show 2 levers, home in and its just one with 2 pads attached to make it look better....downgrade!

    How about http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shimano-Alivio- ... 054&sr=1-2 cheaper and better!

    Simon
    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.
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Did, was confused as the photo seems to show 2 levers, home in and its just one with 2 pads attached to make it look better....downgrade!

    How about http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shimano-Alivio- ... 054&sr=1-2 cheaper and better!

    Simon
    Or even an actual 7 speed at half the price.
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shimano-SL-M310 ... m_sbs_sg_5
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Yes but if he fits an 8 he's only a cassette and rear wheel (and possibly a rear mech) away from upgrading to 8 speed!

    Simon
    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.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Assuming an 8 speed cassette will fit on the hub, will have to check for a spacer.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Hmm did say and rear wheel.......
    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.