Bike Shifters Review

A bike shifter, also called a gear control or gear lever, is what controls the gearing mechanisms on a bike. Shifters have various speeds and the types of shifters vary to offer a wide range of shifting choices. Historically shifters were very simple levers that moved the chain to different sprockets on the rear hub. They started out as two or three speed and eventually expanded into six, nine, ten, and twelve speeds. Today’s bikes typically have up to 24 speeds. Current technology creates bike brakes and shifters that work with ease and don’t require the rider to spend too much time concentrating on shifting gears. Shifters can be mounted on the handlebars, the bar ends, the down tube, or the stem. Falcon shifters, Shimano shifters, and Dia Compe shifters are in constant demand among cycling enthusiasts. 

There are two types of shifters, friction and index. Friction shifters are levers connected to derailleurs by stainless steel cables. The derailleurs switch the bike chain from gear to gear. When the shifter lever is pulled, the cable either relaxes or tenses, causing the derailleurs to switch the chain’s gear. In the past, friction shifters were considered difficult to use since the rider must position the chain and gear without set stopping points. This caused a lot of riders to experience grinding when shifting. Newer shifters offer coated cable wires and quicker cable release for easier, smoother shifting.

Index shifters, like Apex shifters or SRAM shifters, have set shifting points for each gear. The preset points are set up before riding by tuning the derailleurs. Bike companies like SRAM offer index shifters that promise single motion shifting that engages the gears immediately. The majority of new bikes utilize index shifters.

There are four basic designs of bike shifters, including bike down tube shifters, thumb shifters, dual lever shifters, and grip shifters. Down tube shifters are usually found on the bike’s frame and are common on speed bikes. Thumb shifters are popular for mountain bikes and mount to the handlebars. The dual lever shifters mount underneath the handlebars and may have thumb levers or a thumb and index finger lever control. Grip shifters are commonly found on straight style handlebars and allow the rider to just flip the shifter to change gears.

Not all bike shifters are universal, and many will only be compatible with derailleurs from the same brand. For example, the SRAM 9-speed trigger shifters are compatible with SRAM rear derailleurs and SRAM or Shimano front derailleurs. Campagnolo shifters also work with a variety of different brands. Riders must make sure that all shifting components work together when upgrading the shifting system.

Models

SunRace shifter

Average Pricing

Purchasing only the shifters will cost between $50 and $150 depending on the brand. There are combo kits available that offer both the shifters and the derailleurs for around $220.