The 5 Best Shimano 9 Speed Shifters (2023 reviews)

We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a shifter. This product is exactly that - it's a simple product that hits all the right notes. Shifters are easy to install and work so much better than the grip style. It fits perfect under the right brake lever. The larger lever goes behind the handlebar with the read out facing you, the smaller lever that upshifts ends up behind the brake lever. This shifter with the lever instead of the push button makes shifters easier with less force needed to shift the gears, and a tap instead of a push to return the shift to a higher gear selection.

It comes with cable only /NO/ housing. It is good quality for kids bikes. The cable is long enough to reach the derailleur.

Why We Like This:

Fit and finish very good, worked great
Smooth shifting and adjustability is perfect for fine tuning
Make shifting a breeze for little hands and fingers
Perfect replacement for mongoose twist shifter

Best Runner up: Shimano 9 Speed Shifter

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The features department is where shimano 9 speed shifter truly manages to shine. This is a 10 speed shifter so if the rest of your components are shimano and 10 speed you should be good. It is a good choice for a wide-range cassette like found on many off-road bikes. The build quality is decent with precise and smooth shifting on a 1x10 shimano deore drivetrain. This one attaches to the handle bar. It comes with the inner shift cable. It is compatible with a 10 speed system. The shifter determines how many speeds moreso than other components.

Why We Like This:

Very light weight and smooth operation
Shifts easily and does a good job
Great upgrade for going to a 1x drivetrain
Indexing is precise and crisp, works great

Best Smooth Shifter: Shimano ZEE Rear Shifter

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Compared with other products by Shimano, the shimano zee rear shifter has a convenient design. 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. It works great with a microshift rear derailleur. 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 will work with any Shimano 10 speed mtb derailleur.

Why We Like This:

Extremely easy to tune and get precise shifting
Like the ability to downshift one, two or three gears at once
You can feel the shifts are instant with every click

Best working Shifter: Shimano brake Lever

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The shimano brake lever has killer features for the price point. The M3100 shifter lever utilizes rapid fire plus technology to give you smooth, efferent shifting to heighten your subtle control while on the trails. It works with the Shimano 105 short cage derailleur. It comes with one shift you can push through up to 3 speeds. It is bi-directional like the deore. It is best with other Shimano components in a 2 or 3 x 9 speed setup.

The gear display is large and easy to glace at for reference while you navigate the twists and turns of your adventure. Rapid fire plus technology allows you to shift up to 3 gears in one shiftoptical gear displayoptimized for 2 or 3 x 9 speed mountain setupsold as individual shifter levers.

Why We Like This:

Works very good and a great replacement for grip shift
New and hot release

Best Feature: Easy To install: Shimano OPTICAL display

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The shimano optical display is satisfactory and appropriate and fits well with your daily purpose. The M4100 shift levers provide light and responsive shifting for all mountain bike riding styles. It does have an optical display, but no numbers.

Why We Like This: