What shifter to match bike derailleur

[Wayners]

I have a rear wheel with an 8 speed cassette.
My problem is the combined v-brake and shifter which I've now removed.
I'm fitting hydraulic brakes with hub cut-off sensors so I'm going to now need a 8-speed shifter to match my derailleur. I'm not sure what I need to buy. Can I buy any 8-speed shifter or do I need a specific one to match a cassette?
My current bike derailleur is a Shimano Acera.

 

[Cadence]

I bought these from Ali when I swapped my v brakes for discs. You can buy as a set or single.
￡8.45 | SHIMANO Altus SL-M315 SL-M310 MTB Shifter 2X7 2X8 3x7 3x8 2 3 7 8 14 16 21 24 S Speed Mountain Bike Shift Lever Trigger Set

SHIMANO Altus SL-M315 SL-M310 MTB Shifter 2X7 2X8 3x7 3x8 2 3 7 8 14 16 21 24 S Speed Mountain Bike Shift Lever Trigger Set - AliExpress 18

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

a.aliexpress.com

 

[matthewslack]

You need something that matches, because the indexing is in the shifter and the distance moved each shift is determined by it and the derailleur together.

You'll find compatibility tables online in many places but including the Shimano website, and 8 speed stuff is fairly cheap, and often turns up slightly used on eBay. Make sure you include 8 speed in the search.

 

[guerney]

I was perfectly happy with non-indexed for decades. Satisfying shift from lowest to top gear with a lazy swipe of the hand for downhill, if you have one chainwheel. Cheaper on AliExpress I'm certain:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/376262324112

 

[saneagle]

I have a rear wheel with an 8 speed cassette.
My problem is the combined v-brake and shifter which I've now removed.
I'm fitting hydraulic brakes with hub cut-off sensors so I'm going to now need a 8-speed shifter to match my derailleur. I'm not sure what I need to buy. Can I buy any 8-speed shifter or do I need a specific one to match a cassette?
My current bike derailleur is a Shimano Acera.

Any Shimano 8 speed shifter will work with your derailleur. it's a shame you're too late now, but you could have got one of the Shimano combined hydraulic brake shifters, which are really good. I try to fit them on all my bikes. they're normally around £50 a pair, but sometimes £40, and I just snagged these for £30. One lever is broken, but I only need the hose and caliper on that side.
shimano hydraulic disc brakes front and rear + brake discs and more | eBay UK

 

[AndyBike]

Any Shimano 8 speed shifter will work with your derailleur. it's a shame you're too late now, but you could have got one of the Shimano combined hydraulic brake shifters, which are really good. I try to fit them on all my bikes. they're normally around £50 a pair, but sometimes £40, and I just snagged these for £30. One lever is broken, but I only need the hose and caliper on that side.
shimano hydraulic disc brakes front and rear + brake discs and more | eBay UK

Not the dreaded Shimano M765 combination dual shifter/lever

Its not the standard STI dual shifter/brake. The difference is its the actual brake lever you move (up or down) to change the gears, rather than a little thumb lever.
So you can be pulling the lever to brake, when it accidentally tries to shift a gear too, or worse, you go to change gear, and tap on the brake.

These quickly became hated because of the above issues and shimano discontinued them.

Besides these are 9 speed and I believe the OP was looking for 8. So he would have to adjust the Hi/Lo limit screws on the rear derailleur to limit the mechs rise to the lowest cog. After all wouldn't want to accidentally try to shift into 9 when you only have 8 and send the chain over the top into that lovely tight as a ducks bum space between the spokes and the back of the cassette.
There are a lot of fun things in life. Trying to unjam a chain out of that space certainly isnt one of them

Dont get me wrong San' I think dual levers are good, only not the m765 model

 

[saneagle]

Not the dreaded Shimano M765 combination dual shifter/lever

Its not the standard STI dual shifter/brake. The difference is its the actual brake lever you move (up or down) to change the gears, rather than a little thumb lever.
So you can be pulling the lever to brake, when it accidentally tries to shift a gear too, or worse, you go to change gear, and tap on the brake.

These quickly became hated because of the above issues and shimano discontinued them.

Besides these are 9 speed and I believe the OP was looking for 8. So he would have to adjust the Hi/Lo limit screws on the rear derailleur to limit the mechs rise to the lowest cog. After all wouldn't want to accidentally try to shift into 9 when you only have 8 and send the chain over the top into that lovely tight as a ducks bum space between the spokes and the back of the cassette.
There are a lot of fun things in life. Trying to unjam a chain out of that space certainly isnt one of them

Dont get me wrong San' I think dual levers are good, only not the m765 model

You've obviously never used one. All road bike hydraulic brakes operate like that, and I've been using these on my bikes for 15 years with zero problems. Shifting is much easier than with a thumb shifter and you never accidentally pull the brake or shifter when you want the other. That's complete BS. The 9 speed is a problem, however, as I'm not sure if it works with his 8speed derailleur. I forgot about that.

BTW, There are several designations for them. Most of mine are M585, which are the LX version. M765 are XT, which I have on my main bike - faultless for 15 years.

 

[Wayners]

I have a shifter ordered second hand off eBay.
I'm not bothering with the bottom crank X3 shifter. Chain can stay on the big cog and I'll stick to 8 speeds

 

[AndyBike]

You've obviously never used one. All road bike hydraulic brakes operate like that,

Course I have I bought them when they came out.
Trying to conflate the 2 is just a bit sad mate. Try to stick to the point at hand. He didnt ask for roadie levers, he is wanting flat bar brake/shifter

Its not an intuitive system. were hated amongst the mtb community.

https://www.bikeradar.com/features/top-5-mtb-tech-flops-that-wed-rather-forget

Shimano discontinued because they werent selling. Thats what happens when a product is crap