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

 

[Raboa]

Try this site, they have good prices and service.

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bankruptbikeparts.co.uk

 

[saneagle]

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

I don't believe you. Everybody who I know that has tried them loves them. Show me any forum post where somebody, who has actual experience, has posted about your imagined problem being true.

 

[Nealh]

I used Shimano M600 Hone dual brake /gear shifters and never had an issue with braking whilst shifting or vica versa.
I liked the shifting as thumb shifters were in the end causing me issues with some mild aching , my gravel bike has the similar integrated shifters for drops and my other bikes all have twist grip shift to get rid of the thumb shifts.
I would never ever use a thumb shifter again.

 

[Waspy]

I also have the Shimano 8 speed Acera derailleur.

I also am a fan of Shimano Revoshifters. I have the Shimano Tourney SL-RS45-8R - 8 Speed Revo Twist Shifter and it works flawlessly with my Acera derailleur and it was a doddle to set up, very simple to operate and it also has a nice uncluttered look on the handlebar.

 

[AndyBike]

I don't believe you. Everybody who I know that has tried them loves them. Show me any forum post where somebody, who has actual experience, has posted about your imagined problem being true.

I used Shimano M600 Hone dual brake /gear shifters and never had an issue with braking whilst shifting or vica versa.
I liked the shifting as thumb shifters were in the end causing me issues with some mild aching , my gravel bike has the similar integrated shifters for drops and my other bikes all have twist grip shift to get rid of the thumb shifts.
I would never ever use a thumb shifter again.

Well fair enough. If you got on with them for your gentle pottering about the streets, then il not argue the toss.

Personally, I didnt like them. Offroad utter pants.

 

[saneagle]

I used Shimano M600 Hone dual brake /gear shifters and never had an issue with braking whilst shifting or vica versa.
I liked the shifting as thumb shifters were in the end causing me issues with some mild aching , my gravel bike has the similar integrated shifters for drops and my other bikes all have twist grip shift to get rid of the thumb shifts.
I would never ever use a thumb shifter again.

Thanks, Neal. That's exactly my experience. It's like switching from cable to hydraulic brakes: Once you've tried them, there's no way back. Thumb shifters feel just plain daft afterwards.

 

[chris_n]

Brake lever shifters are fine on my road bike, they would be no use to me on my EMTB, the downhills are just too bumpy. If I had a hybrid or city bike I'm sure they would be fine. I personally have never had a problem with thumb shifters but my wife didn't get on with the left hand shifter on her MTB so I made it single speed on the front and fitted a wider range cassette. Twistgrip shifters belong only on budget kids bikes IMO, can't stand the things, YMMV.

 

[Nealh]

Mine were fitted to my Boardman 700c offroad /trail bike with Bafang CST hub and the AKM128CST so no gentle pottering they were brilliant and gave no problem. Ridng 160km jaunts on farm tracks/ rough and very bumpy Dorking /North Downs way , Downs link south to some nice Shoreham /Hove sea front and then final a tack up to near the Falmer stadium before a jaunt on the South Downs to Jack and Jill.

I particularly liked them just because of the fact that one could if wanting to could down shift whilst braking .

 

[Nealh]

Each to their own Chris but for some of us being different really works us.

 

[chris_n]

Each to their own Chris but for some of us being different really works us.

That was actually my point, no one answer for all. We all have very different needs that probably get more disparate as we get older / less healthy.

 

[Wayners]

I also have the Shimano 8 speed Acera derailleur.

I also am a fan of Shimano Revoshifters. I have the Shimano Tourney SL-RS45-8R - 8 Speed Revo Twist Shifter and it works flawlessly with my Acera derailleur and it was a doddle to set up, very simple to operate and it also has a nice uncluttered look on the handlebar.

I like twist gear changer. I have one now on current bike. I'm thinking that would be better for me