The 5 Best friction Shifters (2023 reviews)

This idea of "less parts" is a proven and remarkable effort for production of durability. It works well for when your kids keep wrecking bikes and breaking shifters but there is probably a better one out there. The shifter set is specifically made for a 21 speed bike only. It is used to repair a mountain bike for a boy scout troop and happy with results.

These shifters cannot be fixed but great for kids Bikes. The cable is an integral part of the shifter. It is compatible with almost any 21spd mountain/trail/hybrid/cruiser bicycle. The cable is installed correctly and there is more leverage so the grip shifter is much easier to turn. These shifters are easy to install.

Why We Like This:

Easy to assemble and cheaper, compared to the bike stores
Shorter grips and they would fit fine without moving anything
Perfect replacement for the difficult shifters on your kid's bike

Best Runner up: Shimano ZEE Rear Shifter

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The look and feel of this shifters are consistent with the high quality we're used to from the rest of Shimano's lineup. Really any lever goes well with the Zee pod, its compact, and even if you must rotate the shifter pod slightly to get a closer fit to your brake lever clamp, its never uncomfortable. This uses the Shimano Dyna-Sys shifting mechanism which has a different pull ratio compared to non-Dyna-Sys Shifters that are 9spd and below. It can shift three gears at a time if needed.

This is a great smooth shifter. It doesnt have a gear indicator so it’s more compact than the other models. The Unit is fine albeit the shift paddles are a bit plasticy additionally the lever throw is a bit harder than the old SLX version. It allows shifting with a thumb or finger. It will work with any Shimano 10 speed mtb derailleur.

Why We Like This:

Extremely easy to tune and get precise shifting
Good shifter, works with deore 10sp derailleur
Great shifter, works like a charm

Best Quality Product: MEGHNA friction Shifter

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Not everyone likes to purchase shifter for their regular usage, but the meghna friction shifter would be an anomoly. The SHIMANO TOURNEY SL-TX30-LN is a thumb shifter for mountain bikes that features SHIMANO's OPTICAL GEAR DISPLAY. It does the job and is easy to install. The diameter of the handlebar is 22.2mm(7/8inch), it is universal size.

Why We Like This:

Upgraded from cable discs to hydraulic brakes and stock integrated trigger shifters
New and hot release

Best For back gears: Yosoo health Gear friction Shifter

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Next on the list, we've got yet another shifter that manages to win our hearts. It's the yosoo health gear friction shifter and it's widely considered as shifter that has the most suitable features. Yosoo Health Gear is a brand which focus on health care and sports accessories. This thumb gear shifter is universally fit for mountain bike, city bike, road bike, folding bike with 22.2 mm/ 0.87 inch hand bar. It is a friction/ratcheting thumb lever for triple cranksets. It is great for back gears.

The bike shifter is made of premium aluminum alloy. It is made of durable aluminum alloy material, it works perfectly for performance and maximum safety and longevity, with excellent quality to perfectly achieve the best performance. The right shifter is a trigger-type 7-speed shifter, with one lever for down-shifts and a thumb button for up-shifts.

Why We Like This:

Suitable for mountain bike, city bike, road bike, folding bike, etc
Easy to use, no difficulty, simple to adjust
Adjust the speed to your heart's content and enjoy the fun of riding

Best Easy To Use: Shimano friction Shifter

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Shimano line of shifter come in a pretty wide variety of styles, so you can definitely find one that suits your individual preferences and needs. This Shimano thumb shifter is simplicity at its finest. A simple lever with big clicky detents, it has practically no mechanism to jam. It is perfectly with the existing derailleur and freewheel. The Optical Gear Display tells you which gear position is selected while riding your bike. This is the sharpened rock of bike shifters. The cable is long enough to reach the rear derailleur for most bicycles. It’s a very simple and effective shifter.

Why We Like This:

Low profile sleek design, simple to install, extremely accurate, easy to use and maintain
Great quality and affordable for anybody
Better than twist / grip shifters for kids