Shifter repair question

Jim Willis

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Jun 6, 2025, 12:37:21 PM6/6/25

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Hi all.

I removed the microshift thumb shifters that came on my appaloosa and replaced them with my 12 year old Shimano bar-end shifters attached to some Paul Thumbies. (I'm not crazy in thinking these 12 year old shifters are way nicer than the new microshifts, right. :-0 )

Anyway, the shifters are showing their age. They shift great but the grey plastic grip piece has split and comes off the shifter.

Does anyone have any suggestions on repair for this or replacement grip piece? Thanks for any tips!

Thanks,

Jim

Tyler Ryan

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Jun 6, 2025, 12:56:41 PM6/6/25

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https://www.amazon.com/microSHIFT-Thumb-Shifter-Lever-Covers/dp/B07HJHB752/

Jim Willis

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Jun 6, 2025, 1:39:46 PM6/6/25

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Thank you!!!

Bill Lindsay

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Jun 6, 2025, 1:47:13 PM6/6/25

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Those MICROSHIFT covers fit on SHIMANO shifters? That's useful, if true.

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

Adrian

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Jun 6, 2025, 1:54:09 PM6/6/25

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I wonder if these fit other shifters like IRD / Dia Compe / Riv Silver shifters.

Has anyone tried putting New Baums on theirs?

Joe Bernard

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Jun 7, 2025, 1:34:06 AM6/7/25

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Bill, the first review on that page says they fit exactly. Amusingly the reviewer is named woodbubba.

On Friday, June 6, 2025 at 10:47:13 AM UTC-7 Bill Lindsay wrote:

Bill Lindsay

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Jun 7, 2025, 1:49:30 PM6/7/25

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The only smart thing to do then is order a set. Shimano barcon shifters can last a lot longer than the end pieces do. I've got a set on the way for the repair parts box.

BL in EC

Will Boericke

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Jun 7, 2025, 6:50:37 PM6/7/25

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Sugru! Perfect use case.

Will

Nick Payne

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Jun 7, 2025, 6:53:39 PM6/7/25

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I've used Plasti-Dip on tool handles - I suspect it would do the job fine on barend shifters where the existing rubber cover is perishing. It holds up pretty well if you do a thorough job of cleaning the metal of the handle before dipping it. It doesn't like petroleum and such solvents, but should be fine on a shifter handle.

Nick Payne.

Jim Willis

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Jun 10, 2025, 3:40:02 PM6/10/25

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I ordered and am awaiting delivery. I'll report back on how well they fit the Shimano shifters. I do love the plasti-dip idea though.

Jim

Ben R

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Jun 10, 2025, 8:12:59 PM6/10/25

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my question is can you mount the Paul thumbs on the inside "brifter" style vs mounting them on the top of the bars?

Suntour Jim

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Jun 11, 2025, 3:23:55 PM6/11/25

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Ben R. asked "my question is can you mount the Paul thumbs on the inside "brifter" style vs mounting them on the top of the bars?"

Answer: If you're okay with only using friction to shift the RD. The inside mount requires using the shifter normally associated with shifting the front derailleur, and that's "friction only" on all Shimano bar ends.

Jim B. in Knoxville, TN

Bill Lindsay

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Jun 11, 2025, 5:59:18 PM6/11/25

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somebody with the email address ben.riswold asked:

my question is can you mount the Paul thumbs on the inside "brifter" style vs mounting them on the top of the bars?

Paul makes a shifter mount called the Thumbie. It has a hinged clamp. It comes in two sizes: 31.8mm and 22.2mm. When you say "brifter" style I think you mean on a normal drop handlebar which will have a diameter of 23.8mm. 22.2mm is certainly too small, and 31.8mm is much larger. Whether or not you can manufacture a curved shim situation for that position on your drop handlebars will be up to you. For most people the simple answer would be "no, you can't mount Paul Thumbies brifter style on drop handlebars. For those who like a challenge, perhaps you could figure it out, but if you don't already have the parts laying around, it would be a costly experiment.