Can anyone recommend some really easy to operate shifters for my flat bar hybrid/touring bike please. I’ve got arthritic thumb joints that are really getting in the way of using my bike – I’m fine for short rides, but after a full day my hands are seriously painful and I have trouble operating the controls. I’ve switched to Magura HS33s to make the braking easier, and that’s been a big improvement, but it’s now time to do something about my gears. I’ve generally stuck with gripshift as the action of trigger shifters can set off the pain, but perhaps if there were really light and easy triggers they’d be okay.
I’m open to all suggestions, and not too fussed about price – I’m prepared to pay what it takes to let me keep going on long rides. I’m very reluctant to switch to electronic gears, but will consider them if there’s no real alternative.
I’m currently running a 30-42-52 Ultegra triple and an 11-34 cassette with SRAM Rocket shifters. I’ve changed the inners and outers and lubricated everything but it’s all still too stiff for me. I’ve seen PeterPoddy’s thread on Heavy, sticky 105 shifters but this is more than that – I don’t just want something that’s okay, ideally I’d like something really, really light and easy to shift.