Trigger shifter with no gear indicator

[AlBaker]

I feel sure I once saw an ad for a trigger shifter without a gear indicator. I need an under bar 7-speed with no indicator. I just put new bars on the bike because of a small problem with the position of the shifter. It's an improvement but still not what I'd like. I've searched Amazon with no luck. Ebay prices are out of this world. I have a shifter for the top of the bars, with one lever but I don't like it.

I am now seriously considering sawing off the indicator from my Shimano trigger shifter.

 

[88robb]

You're looking for a Shimano SL-M310 or similar. They made 7-speed under-bar triggers with no display window. The "Rapidfire Plus" line often had minimalist models. Check used parts sites or local co-ops. Sawing off the indicator will work, but be careful not to damage the internals. It's plastic, so a fine-tooth hacksaw and file will do the job.

 

[AlBaker]

You're looking for a Shimano SL-M310 or similar. They made 7-speed under-bar triggers with no display window. The "Rapidfire Plus" line often had minimalist models. Check used parts sites or local co-ops. Sawing off the indicator will work, but be careful not to damage the internals. It's plastic, so a fine-tooth hacksaw and file will do the job.

All the SL-M310s have gear indicators. The few others that I found without an indicator are 12-speed.

I have a junior hacksaw if and when I decide to try cutting the indicator off. I was concerned about what's inside it getting damaged. Heck, if I ruin it, I'll have to get another one.

I had replaced the cowhorns (It's an Electra cruiser) with different bars but the Shimano 7-speed shifter wouldn't work with them because of the downward curve. It needed longer bits of the bars at the end. So I put another handlebar on it, last night. It's better but the ends of the levers encroach into my finger space. I had already put an above bar shifter on it but I didn't like it, which is why I put my other shifter back on. I'm probably being too picky. I just need another 8 mm of space, and it's the indicator which is preventing it. Or if it comes to it, I could put the cowhorns back on. That ought to fix it. 😃

 

[88robb]

Cut it off. I’ve done this. The inside is just plastic and a clear window; there’s no mechanism to damage. Go slow with the hacksaw and file the edges smooth. If you hate the look or it fails, the SL-M310 is common and cheap to replace.

 

[AlBaker]

Cut it off. I’ve done this. The inside is just plastic and a clear window; there’s no mechanism to damage. Go slow with the hacksaw and file the edges smooth. If you hate the look or it fails, the SL-M310 is common and cheap to replace.

Thanks. I appreciate the encouragement. Tomorrow, if I can pluck up the courage, I will attack it with the hacksaw.

 

[JonBuoy]

The indicator pod on some of the higher end Shimano shifters is designed to be removable and replaced with a cover - maybe that is what you are remembering.

 

[a.twiddler]

If you have a hobby shop nearby, a razor saw will give a much finer cut and give a neater finish with plastic.

 

[albion]

If rim brakes all in one brake shifters are extremely cheap, that likely saving space.

 

[AlBaker]

The indicator pod on some of the higher end Shimano shifters is designed to be removable and replaced with a cover - maybe that is what you are remembering.

It's been a few years but I wasn't aware of the indicator being removable. I only saw a pic of the shifter sans indicator.

 

[AlBaker]

If rim brakes all in one brake shifters are extremely cheap, that likely saving space.

I saw those and don't know anything about them other than they have two thingies (barrel adjusters?) where the cables exit. Anyway, the dirty deed is now done, modified and working well. Now if I need to know which gear I'm in, I just have to stop, get off the bike, and see which cog the chain is on. 😃

 

[AlBaker]

If you have a hobby shop nearby, a razor saw will give a much finer cut and give a neater finish with plastic.

I have a Dremel tool but don't have the right cutters to deal with it. The junior hacksaw worked well.