Change From Twist gears to Triggers

[CombatWombat]

After a couple of Medical scares a few years I started cycling and looking after myself.

I acquired an older Carerra Subway for free and this has been fine and great but the twist gears are starting to annoy me and wondered if I could just swap them out for 3 x 7 triggers.

Now this is the old subway with 14 gears, and the 3rd twist just doesn't do anything, I assume there is something blocking it from going up to the 3rd cog which isn't there?

also to bear in mind is that I am poor and my bike repair knowledge bottoms out at tightening the brakes oiling the chain.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Apollonius]

Your chances of obtaining 7 speed trigger changers in good condition are a bit slim - unless one of the online Ebay "bankrupt" type suppliers have some. It shouldn't be impossible, but I would want to change the gear cables and that involves some tools that need to be good - well, a cable cutter anyway. Is there a local charity bike recycler near you? That might be a source of help and parts.

 

[raleighnut]

You can use a 8x3 just tune it to operate only 7x2 as the gripshifts have been set up. Its set on the mech stops. Mind you I'm sure you can still get 7x3 after all there must be millions of bikes worldwide with that set-up.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I always thought the more basic twist shifters were a disposable item. Click shifters are cheaper than most, and can be readily changed. But I think this problem, not knowing any more than I do about it, could also possibly be due to cable tension, or the limit screws.
Step 1-set the shifter to 1. Is it slack? then take up the slack and try to shift to three again.
Step 2-if this doesn't work, try adjusting the limit screws on the housing of the FD. You can see where they limit the action of the FD so it doesn't throw the chain off either side of the sprocket. Try turning the "H" screw so that it allows the dérailleur arm to come farther out.
Step 3- test everything to make sure all of the chain paths are lined up, so nothing important comes off at speed.

 

[raleighnut]

I always thought the more basic twist shifters were a disposable item. Click shifters are cheaper than most, and can be readily changed. But I think this problem, not knowing any more than I do about it, could also possibly be due to cable tension, or the limit screws.
Step 1-set the shifter to 1. Is it slack? then take up the slack and try to shift to three again.
Step 2-if this doesn't work, try adjusting the limit screws on the housing of the FD. You can see where they limit the action of the FD so it doesn't throw the chain off either side of the sprocket. Try turning the "H" screw so that it allows the dérailleur arm to come farther out.
Step 3- test everything to make sure all of the chain paths are lined up, so nothing important comes off at speed.

He's only got a double on the front according to his post.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Okay, then shift to 2, as 3 is not available (as with Tizer, in this area)

 

[CombatWombat]

Thanks for the Replies, yes there are only 2 cogs up the Front..

I was looking at something like this.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shimano-S...sure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item46248fe7f1


As it says: Front triple or double compatible (just set the H limit screw to prevent the second click)

 

[raleighnut]

They'll be just right.

 

[cosmicbike]

7 speed triggers are still readily available, I got mine from Evans to put on my lads MX 24. Why manufacturers put twist shifters on kids bikes I'll never know, 'cos my kids struggle with them. More so in winter when wearing woolly gloves, so I change them to triggers

 

[raleighnut]

7 speed triggers are still readily available, I got mine from Evans to put on my lads MX 24. Why manufacturers put twist shifters on kids bikes I'll never know, 'cos my kids struggle with them. More so in winter when wearing woolly gloves, so I change them to triggers

Cheap to make and seen by the masses as an upgrade (which they were in the 70s on SA equipped bikes)