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I've been fiddling around with positioning of brakes and shifters trying to get a comfortable 1 finger braking setup and finding it to be pretty much impossible.
Moving my brake levers inwards to position them optimally for my index finger pushes the shifters too far inwards to be usable - not a problem i thought i'll just swap them round. Unfortunately the gear indicator on the shifters means i then can't move them close enough to the brake levers to be comfortable.
I can't work out if i'm just being dumb, whether i need to replace on or the other, or i should just leave well alone and stick to two finger braking?!
I've got a 3x9 setup with Shimano SL-M4000 shifters, BL-MT200 brake levers, a Shimano Deore RD-M592 rear derailleur and Shimano FD-M4000 front derailleur. It's giving me headaches trying to work out what's compatible with what in terms of components! It feels like i could achieve the perfect setup if it weren't for the gear indicators or even if these were on the opposite side to the current position. Any ideas welcome.
Unfortunately the gear indicator on the shifters means i then can’t move them close enough to the brake levers to be comfortable.
The higher end Shimano shifters have removeable indicators with a cover to replace them. You can remove the indicators from the cheap ones, but there isn't a cover to keep the weather out.
You have very low-end brake levers with 3-finger levers. I would buy some brakes with specific 1-finger levers rather than trying to get those to work. You could put some new levers on your existing brakes but I would go for a full set of Deore or SLX level brakes if you can afford it, ideally a 4-pot on the front. You have much less grip from one finger than two or three so proper levers and 4-pot calipers help to compensate.
Yes it's after watching videos like those that i thought i'd try adjusting the setup to make that achievable. However with the current set of components on the bike it seems like that just isn't possible.
I suppose I'm then looking for the lowest cost changes i can make to achieve that setup or to decide just not to bother and stick with two finger braking.
I'm happy to spend a bit of cash but I don't really want to splurge on some new brakes if i find the shifters still don't play ball or vice versa. It seems like things can quickly get out of hand with new shifters -> new derailleur(s) -> new cassette -> new chainring -> ...!
The higher end Shimano shifters have removeable indicators with a cover to replace them. You can remove the indicators from the cheap ones, but there isn’t a cover to keep the weather out.
Unfortunately the higher end shifters don't seem to be available as 9 speed and I don't really want to have to replace the entire chainset.
Do you know if i can bodge the Alivio ones to remove the indicators??
See if you can remove the indicators and just put some tape over to cover the hole
Unfortunately the higher end shifters don’t seem to be available as 9 speed
You'd have to buy second-hand shifters. The old 9-speed XT shifters have removable indicators.
Do you know if i can bodge the Alivio ones to remove the indicators??
Hacksaw the indicator off and cover the hole with duct tape.
The indicators seem to be an integral part of the casing so taking a hacksaw to it would be the only option. Giving that some thought, certainly the cheapest option assuming i don't completely muller them!
Hacksaw the indicator off and cover the hole with duct tape
Works a treat, exactly what I did with mine.
Works a treat, exactly what I did with mine.
Just had a good look with hacksaw at the ready but I'm not sure it'd work even with the indicator removed there's still a notch in the casing which the brake lever clamp couldn't make it past.
Are yours the m3100 version of the shifters? The indicators on those look a little bit more separate and easier to hacksaw off.
Before you start going at it with the hacksaw - I've got an older set of 3 x 9 Shimano XT shifters going spare (M770 I think) - currently set up with the windows removed and the blanking plates in place but I've got the windows too if you ever want to re-install them.
Yours for the price of postage and a donation to the RNLI or a local mountain rescue team. Drop me a message.
Hi Doug. I've tried sending a message but not entirely sure if it's been successful, the forum seems a bit stuttery and i didn't really receive a confirmation that it had sent. Have you received anything?
Hi Doug. I may have sent you umpteen messages, if so apologies for the spamming! I also may have sent none - the forum messaging system seems very unresponsive.
Suffice to say I'd love to take you up on your offer, now we just need to find a way to communicate our details!
🙂
Hi, no nothing has appeared, I'd tried to PM you too and doesn't look like that's worked - email me at Douglas dot Dyche at Gmail dot com
Emailed you 👍