stowie
Legendary Member
..Admittedly after 15 years of flawless operation!
I have an old MTB which I use as a commuter and general travel cycle. I have old Shimano LX shifters (7-speed rear), the rear shifter completely snapped the other day. The shifters are bolted under the LX brake levers (old Canti levers)
I went to my local cycle shop, and they recommended removing the old shifters and replacing with Shimano Alivio shifters, with the LX brake levers remaining.
I have a few issues
1) I was quoted £75 to do this - £50 for the shifters, which I know I can get online for £35 or so. I don't mind paying more for the convenience of a LBS, but it appears that £50 is £5 over the RRP even.
2) If I am going to pay this type of money, is there a solution with shifters, and V-brake system, and would it be worth doing this.
3) The LBS reckoned that the old LX brakes (from around 1992) wouldn't fit with any shifters sold today (the old shifters bolt under the levers, I naively thought that the new ones could fix the same way), and want to hack the levers so the new shifters fit. Sounds OK, but at the price, I don't want a botch.
I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for shifters - I am not worried about weight, but would like something solid that lasts.
Lastly, I like my LBS, but it seems a bit pricey. Anyone have any experience of any cycle shops in East (Waltham forest, Hackney) or North (Tottenham, Haringey, Seven Sisters) London?
I have an old MTB which I use as a commuter and general travel cycle. I have old Shimano LX shifters (7-speed rear), the rear shifter completely snapped the other day. The shifters are bolted under the LX brake levers (old Canti levers)
I went to my local cycle shop, and they recommended removing the old shifters and replacing with Shimano Alivio shifters, with the LX brake levers remaining.
I have a few issues
1) I was quoted £75 to do this - £50 for the shifters, which I know I can get online for £35 or so. I don't mind paying more for the convenience of a LBS, but it appears that £50 is £5 over the RRP even.
2) If I am going to pay this type of money, is there a solution with shifters, and V-brake system, and would it be worth doing this.
3) The LBS reckoned that the old LX brakes (from around 1992) wouldn't fit with any shifters sold today (the old shifters bolt under the levers, I naively thought that the new ones could fix the same way), and want to hack the levers so the new shifters fit. Sounds OK, but at the price, I don't want a botch.
I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for shifters - I am not worried about weight, but would like something solid that lasts.
Lastly, I like my LBS, but it seems a bit pricey. Anyone have any experience of any cycle shops in East (Waltham forest, Hackney) or North (Tottenham, Haringey, Seven Sisters) London?