Shimano 200gs shifter replacement

Mark Cleary

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Jul 21, 2022, 1:41:00 PM7/21/22

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My son's friend down the street has a Specialized mtn bike old from the 1990's. It has 7 speed shimano 200gs shifters that are shot. I tried the wd40 and the whole mess to see of I could get them to work. No luck. What is the best replacement option. The brakes really don't need to be replaced and the kid just wants the bike to run. I trued the wheels and patched the front tube saved him a new tube he bought for later.

It appears these are indexed in some fashion and otherwise the bike is fine. I don't about the brakes that are the old Shimano Cantilever brakes. So what is the cheapest option that runs the bike ok. Possible get a new shifter/brake combo? No bike shop would probably do the work I am basically helping the kid out he bought it for $10 at a garage sale. Maybe toss it out?
Deacon Mark

Tom Kunich

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Jul 21, 2022, 1:52:20 PM7/21/22

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The mechanism inside of the MTB shifters are usually quite simple. They jam almost always in my experience from dirt inside the declutching mechanism. It seems to me that I have lifted the top off and then sprayed them clean with WD40 and then reassembled them and they worked fine.

AMuzi

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Jul 21, 2022, 1:55:02 PM7/21/22

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Simplest would be new shift/brake units but most now are
Linear (VBrake) not cantilever.

Cheapest would be a set of 3x7 shifters. Unscrew the broken
shift assembly and dispose of it. Disconnect brake wire from
lever. Slip grip and lever from handlebar. Using a bench
vise, cut (obsolete format) shift mount area from the brake
lever to allow positioning of the new shift unit. Deluxe
presentation = black marker on the cut edge.

Slip shifter on handlebar. Clean handlebar and grip, slide
lever and grip back on, snap brake wire back into lever.
Position and tighten both levers and you're well on your way.

For that sort of bicycle, original brake pads are rock hard
now = replace. I'd check chain wear and tires before doing
anything else just so you know how much money is involved.

--
Andrew Muzi
<www.yellowjersey.org/>
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Mark Cleary

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Jul 21, 2022, 2:03:12 PM7/21/22

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Thanks Andrew the tires are fine

Mark Cleary

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Jul 21, 2022, 2:05:17 PM7/21/22

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The tires are fine and chain is good to go. I just check some simple 3x7 shifters can be had for $23 another place has at right and left at $40 total but they look a bit more substantial.
\Deacon mark

Mark Cleary

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Jul 21, 2022, 2:11:22 PM7/21/22

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Would this work and be better check it out.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/314080846144?hash=item4920ad6140:g:mU0AAOSw7IBi2Xy6&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5337240127&customid=1&toolid=10049

Deacon Mark

AMuzi

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Jul 21, 2022, 2:18:37 PM7/21/22

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EF51 is for V-Brake not cantilever.

Then again you could just add V Brakes; they mount on the
same mounts as cantilevers.

Mark Cleary

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Jul 21, 2022, 2:37:58 PM7/21/22

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My research says that is true except now I see the 4 finger version has the option for Cantilever in the shifter. Cool video on youtube guys explains the difference.
Deacon Mark

Jeff Liebermann

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Jul 21, 2022, 2:48:32 PM7/21/22

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On Thu, 21 Jul 2022 13:18:31 -0500, AMuzi <a...@yellowjersey.org> wrote:
>Then again you could just add V Brakes; they mount on the
>same mounts as cantilevers.

I had to change to "long-pull" levers when I switched a friends
bicycle from cantilevers to V-brakes. I think (not sure) that these
"long-pull" levers are the same as what's used on cable disc brakes.

Also, watch out for changes in wheel diameter:
<https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=406+To+451+Conversion>
<https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/37314/why-doesnt-this-v-brake-fit-my-frame>

--
Jeff Liebermann je...@cruzio.com
PO Box 272 http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Ben Lomond CA 95005-0272
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Tom Kunich

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Jul 21, 2022, 3:24:58 PM7/21/22

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I can't remember How I built up those Redline Conquest flat bar bikes I thought I was using Shimano XT 8 speed trigger shifters but I can't find any references to them anymore. I know that they didn't have any indicators, What need is there for them? It isn't as if you are going to look down. I remember that the brake levers were separate from the trigger shifters.

sms

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Jul 21, 2022, 9:40:19 PM7/21/22

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<https://www.ebay.com/itm/392952738160>

In my area we have a used, non-profit, bike shop
<https://goodkarmabikes.org/> that his bins of used parts that they
sell, for less than new cost, though not for terribly low prices. Not
sure about where you are.

This is typical that parts to fix up an old bicycle cost a lot more than
the bicycle might be worth.

ritzann...@gmail.com

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Jul 22, 2022, 1:22:41 AM7/22/22

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I think the Deacon is in southern Illinois. Probably Memphis is the closest big city near him. That would have a non profit bike fixing shop.