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Insight needed re: friction shifters (lemmy.ca)

submitted 3 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Hey guys,

I'm looking to possibly upgrade the shifters on my 90s MTB from grip shifters to friction thumb shifters.

I'm currently eyeing the microSHIFT SL-M10 (https://www.microshift.com/models/sl-m10/), which is listed as being compatible with Shimano MTB 2/3×10.

Currently have a 7 cog cassette using an Alivio 7 speed derailleur. I also have a Deore LX M567 (8 speed) derailleur available, which would be a nice upgrade if compatible with the friction shifter.

Here are my questions:

Would that 10 speed shifter work with lower speed derailleurs?
What advantage, if any, would i get with a friction shifter listed for 8 or 9 speed derailleurs?
On the SLM10 shifter, it's got an indexed mode, too. Would that work with 7 speed, and if so, are limits set by the derailleur or do these things have hard stops built into them?

Thanks in advance.

UPDATE: I ended up spending a little (a lot...) more and getting a pair of Rivendell Silver2 shifters + thumbie mounts. Really nice quality and a beautiful ratcheting system. Loving friction shifters!

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 months ago (1 children)

If it's listed as an "N-speed indexed shifter with friction shifting mode" then the indexing is only going to work with N-speed cassettes, but the friction mode would work with anything. I could be wrong, though.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago

Yes, that's been my assumption. Makes sense.