Bike Shifters
Bike Shifters are used to control the gearing mechanisms and select the desired gear ratio. This is achieved by moving a cable that connects the shifter to the gear mechanism. There are two types of mechanisms: a derailleur or an internal hub gear mechanism. Take a look at our selection and find the one you need.
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Introducing different types of bike shifters
Bike shifters are operating the derailleurs via cables I mechanic and via circuitry in electronic shifters. On most bikes the right-hand shifter controls the rear derailleur and the left-hand shifter controls the front derailleur. To operate and use shifters, you'll need to push the lever sideways until you hear a click. Also, majority of mountain bikes shifters are working in the way that you shift the gears by using set paddles operating with your thumb. Let's take a closer look at each type one at a time:- Trigger (aka thumb) shifters are most common on commuter and mountain bikes. Levers are mounted on the handlebar. We can find two of them, one on its left side that shifts up and down through the chainrings, while the right lever shifts trough the sprocket at the rear of bicycle. Optionally, sometimes it can be displayed which gear we are riding at the moment.
- Twist grip shifters can be found on mountain, commuter or casual bikes. Twist grip shifters are mounted on straight handlebars, so we can use them by twisting shifters forward for higher, or backward for lower gear. Good advantages of this type is that shifters allow us to multi-shift, or choose more than one gear in single motion. Also, they are dialed, so it always shows us the current gear we ride in.
- Down tube shifters are often attached on older types of bikes, fixed to frame or down tube. Their advantage is that they use much less cable, but the downside is that in order to change gear, you'll need to ride one-handedly every time you need to switch gears.
- Bar end shifters are mounted on the end of the handlebar with drop bars. Shifts are made by moving the two levers, up or down, in a way that one controls the front derailleur, and the second one controls rear one. These shifters are durable, simple and strong, which makes them perfect for touring drivers.
- Integrated shifters are common type nowadays, designed for new types of bicycles, so nearly all of them use shift levers integrated with brake levers. How do they work? Simply, if you push the brake sideways, rather than pulling it back to start breaking, it will engage the mechanism and gears will be shifting. These shifters provide superb performance because shifting is very fast and with great precision. Yes, they are more advanced, more sophisticated and require professional maintenance, and they are more expensive, but they will provide you with top quality shifting, and at the end of the day that's what counts, especially if you are a professional cyclist.
- Electronic shifters are product of the latest shifters technology. This type of shifters requires no cables for transmitting force to the derailleur, because the small motor does everything. Instead of a lever, shifting of the gears is done by just pressing the button. Indeed, they are still very expensive, but their performance is beyond comparison.
