Shifters reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 139 Reddit reviews across 25 subreddits and 34 posts to rank the best Shifters brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/xbiking, r/240sx, r/simracing, r/NewedgeMustang, r/AusElectricians. Top-rated brands include MGW (5.0/5), Thorn (3.9/5), Shimano (3.8/5).
Stats
Reviews139
Subreddits25
Posts34
Brands73
Products75
139 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
MGW
5.0
(9)
"I run the mgw with the standard handle and i love it."
"MGW, all the way."
"MGW felt Amazing on my T45."
"I went from a Pro 5.0 to an MGW with a standard handle and love the change!"
"I will only recommend an MGW."
"I will never forget the MGW I had on my 02 GT."
"MGW is the only choice."
"MGW, Tri-Ax, Pro 5.0 in that order of preference."
"MGW and Steeda Tri-Ax. Both are solid options."
#2
Thorn
3.9
(8)
"Got a Thorn in spring and it's been great for about 110€."
"Best for sub $300? Probably yeah it’s great for the money."
"Just buy it. The thorn is great."
"I also have the older model, absolutely loved it and it’ll last a while."
"Another Thorn user here, I really like mine."
"I have the thorn and love it. Can switch from H-Pattern to Seq in seconds."
"I have the older model (the Newt I think?) and have been really happy with it."
"I think it's the best at its price bracket, but the Simagic DS-8X blows it out of the water."
#3
Shimano
3.8
(8)
"Alivio is your best bet in your case. It's the only XC/TR rated 3x9 groupset of shimano."
"Just go with Alivio"
"Your only option is to use a GRX-derailleur and a GRX or 105 shifter."
"Those things intrigued me for a long time and some day I will build a bike around them."
"Explicitly for riders with small hands."
"There's not really any reason an indexed shifter shouldn't work."
"If you are lazy with maintenance.. it can work better than indexed."
"Is there enough range and precision on a friction shifter for a 9-speed?"
#4
Suntour
3.9
(7)
"SunTour Power! My favorite shift lever internals of all time! the clickies are so nice and you can get em suuuuper smooth if you disassemble and lightly grease."
"I have ordered a set of Suntour power ratchets, so I will have the two of them to choose from."
"I did purchase a set of suntour power ratchets last night, after they came to my attention, and having been recommended by another poster."
"Suntour power ratchets from, plenty of them for 20ish on eBay."
"Suntour also made some pretty great models as mentioned."
"Got the Suntour Power Ratchets, and installed them today. Ran into the unexpected problem of the shifters being made for a larger cable end than is now standard."
"I ran some random suntour ones on my hardrock for a while. Didn't look good and my knee would it depending on the gear I was in but the did work well"
#5
Bahco
4.8
(5)
"Bahco or you don't even sparky"
"Bahco's are solid. I drop mine in mud, grout and all sorts. Still kicking after years"
"Yeah definitely bahco!"
"I have an old as shit Bahco shifter. Literally bought it in my apprenticeship so it’s at least 15 years old now and it’s got next to no play still."
"Newer, post Snap On owned Bahco shifters (made in Spain) don't seem as tight in the clearances as the old Made in Sweden ones, but are still the shifters others are judged by"
#6
SSH
4.6
(5)
"SSH are stupidly good for their price IMO. I've had no issues with their Newt2."
"I love it, and your model is an upgraded version, so I’m sure you will."
"SSH shifter?"
"I have the SSH Newt2 and I really like it."
"SSH shifter?"
#7
B&M
4.5
(4)
"Look into brands like Skunk2, B&M, or even Password JDM for some quality options."
"I've been running my B&M since 08 in my SR still rips to this day."
"B&M 💙"
"B&M"
#8
SRAM
4.5
(4)
"SRAM AXS"
"Use sram, they invented it and they do it best."
"About $500 for the pair."
"The problem though is that it includes the road RD... They must sell these shifters separately, right??"
#9
SHH
4.0
(4)
"Another vote here for the shh shifter, very good quality price."
"SHH Combines H type and seq. Stout and affordable."
"Look into the shh shifter. Can’t give you a review since mine hasn’t arrived yet but a lot of people like them."
"The SHH Newt 2 is well-regarded, and I consider to be superior to the TH8A in nearly all respects."
#10
Sunrace
4.0
(4)
"For inexpensive shifters the sunrace work fine. The they’re friction."
"Sunrace makes a few versions, although I agree that the Suntour will be more elegant."
"SunRace Thumbies are a nice upgrade. Not too expensive, no plastic, all metal and they look pretty nice too."
"I put some nice Sunrace thumbies on a Trek 720. I really don’t care for grip shit."
#11
Steeda
5.0
(3)
"Steeda Tri Ax was my favorite shifter out of any car I've driven."
"Best shifter I've ever had."
"The Tri-Ax has a solid 'click' type of feel when going into gears."
#12
Digitech
4.7
(3)
"Digitech drop or whammy is the best hardware pedal."
"THE best pedal will be the digitech whammy DT, behind that are the digitech drop and EHX pitchfork."
"I like the Digitech Drop!"
#13
MicroShift
4.3
(3)
"Microshift is great idk what you’re taking about"
"MicroShift levers also work, and i've found them to be a bit better than the Shimano ones."
"MicroShift makes 9 speed indexed down tube shifters."
#14
GKTech
4.3
(3)
"Switching to GKTech soon. Best parts money can buy new minus factory long throw parts"
"If you just want a basically refreshed and more notchy stock style shifter go GKTech Short Shifter"
"GK Tech is just as good as the B&M"
#15
Knipex
5.0
(2)
"Knipex plier wrenches for the win."
"Either replace your shifters with Knipex plier wrenches or Bahco Ergo shifters"
#16
IRP
5.0
(2)
"IRP, Hybrid Racing, Fast line Shifter, B&M dual bend. In that order. I've owned or tried them all, the IRP will have the best feel since it's chassis mounted."
"IRP with an RB25 trans. It's a higher position and very short. Has a super mechanical feel."
#17
Tomei
4.5
(2)
"My S14 Kouki 240sx has a OG Tomei short shifter, one of the best IMHO"
"I went through a series of knobs before settling on a Tomei 90mm."
#18
Hurst
4.5
(2)
"I’ve had the Hurst SST in mine for about 15 years and haven’t come across anything better."
"I loved the hurst that I had in my 96."
#19
VNM
4.0
(2)
"For a shifter, the VNM shifter is amazing imo, good throw, good feel"
"VNM shifter, Simagic Shifter, Frex+ Shifter."
#20
Nismo
4.0
(2)
"My S14 Zenki Silvia has a new Nismo short shifter, noticeably shorter throw, OEM feel."
"Nismo short shifter. A little less throw but still oem feel."
#21
Moza
4.0
(2)
"Moza has one for $129."
"The new one from Moza looks like a decent value one."
#22
Hybrid
4.0
(2)
"Hybrids shifters look really great performance wise and aesthetics."
"I've heard good things about Hybrid's shifter, and so far I like what I've gotten from them."
#23
Shimano Tiagra
4.0
(2)
"There are two other lever sets you can use: Tiagra ST-4725 and GRX ST-RX400 will also work with your bike."
"The tiagra 4700 flat bar shifters and only them."
#24
Microshift
4.0
(2)
"Not everyone’s cup of tea. This is how the previous gen Rei adv 3.1 is built up and works great."
"This shifter should also be compatible."
#25
Megan Racing
5.0
(1)
"I have a megan racing short shifter & i love it, shorter throw than the no name one i had in my old integra"
#26
Simplex
5.0
(1)
"The ultimate shifters remain the Simplex Retrifriction. These use a stepless clutch compared to the suntour ratchet, which is more precise and moother to shift."
#27
Diacompe
5.0
(1)
"They are the bee's knees."
#28
Shimano SL-M315-8R
5.0
(1)
"They work great."
#29
Shimano SL-M732
5.0
(1)
"Run them in friction mode, and never look back."
#30
Sim Lab
5.0
(1)
"Https://sim-lab.eu/en-us/products/push-pull-rally-shifter-sim-racing"
#31
Electric Shifter
5.0
(1)
"There's actually way less maintenance involved than any mechanical shifter."
#32
Electronic Shifter
5.0
(1)
"A truly good reason to pay the premium for electronic shifting."
#33
Sidchrome
5.0
(1)
"I have a Sidchrome shifter that's lasted me years, and it's commonly used as a hammer."
#34
AIO
5.0
(1)
"This is the one I use, I love it."
#35
Skunk2
5.0
(1)
"That's gonna make shifting feel so much smoother and quicker!"
#36
Password JDM
5.0
(1)
"Your Accord will thank you for it!"
#37
Oktane
5.0
(1)
"I love my Oktane, so clicky."
#38
Aiologs
5.0
(1)
"The seq shifter is $170 and gets great reviews by any youtubers that test it."
#39
GRX
5.0
(1)
"That's probably your best option."
#40
AXS
5.0
(1)
"Go electric. There's actually way less maintenance involved than any mechanical shifter."
#41
Aikeec
4.0
(1)
"Shifter provides realistic feel, Easy to set up and configure, High quality and durable."
#42
Velo Orange
4.0
(1)
"Depending on how much you want to spend on this, you might consider shifters mounted on the bars: Velo Orange Thumb Shifter Mounts."
#43
AutoZone
4.0
(1)
"I’ve had just some AutoZone short shifter in my GSR for literally over 20 years, and it still feels great."
#44
ISR
4.0
(1)
"If you’re looking for a short shifter then I’d just recommend getting the B&M or ISR if you don’t wanna spend the money (they’re the exact same)"
#45
Fastline
4.0
(1)
"The fastline shifter does make a slightly different shifter for the ek civics since the dash pokes out farther."
#46
SimuRide
4.0
(1)
"Realistic feel, High quality and durable, Easy to set up."
#47
OEM
4.0
(1)
"I use an oem R32 GTR shifter. It replaces the plastic bushing with a solid metal ball joint and has much better feel."
#48
atsaccessories.com
4.0
(1)
"I have a plain Jane from atsaccessories.com and I’m very happy with it."
#49
DC Sports
4.0
(1)
"Back in the day I loved DC sports"
#50
Wolf68K
4.0
(1)
"I have that shifter Wolf68K posted it works. I use it exclusively for 18 Speed transmissions."
#51
B&W
4.0
(1)
"The b&w has always been my favorite.."
#52
C's
4.0
(1)
"An old Cs shifter if you can find one."
#53
Shimano Tourney
4.0
(1)
"Tourney is a pretty solid groupset from Shimano."
#54
Pro 5.0
4.0
(1)
"I’ve got a Pro 5.0 mainly because it was the first one that came along."
#55
Heusinkveld
4.0
(1)
"Its the only sequential i've had and i like it."
#56
SIMAGIC
4.0
(1)
"SIMAGIC - Q1S $270."
#57
Dia Compe
4.0
(1)
"Dia compe still makes friction shifters for thumb, bar end, down tube, and stem."
#58
SK TRD
4.0
(1)
"I just got the SK TRD Hybrid replica and its amazing."
#59
exgear
4.0
(1)
"I use the exgear 12.5mm actuator on my Sanwa JLF."
#60
TH8S
4.0
(1)
"TH8S shifter is really great for the price."
#61
Fanatec
4.0
(1)
"I don’t know how expensive the fanatec shifter is, but I like mine."
#62
Simagic
4.0
(1)
"Certainly one of the best values in the market."
#63
Shimano GRX
4.0
(1)
"I switched my Karate Monkey from Deore 12s 1x12 to GRX610 levers and GRX822 RD and it shifts great."
#64
Shimano Sora
4.0
(1)
"These Sora shifters would work."
#65
BJ Steel
4.0
(1)
"I have a BJ steel and I like it. Really beefy and feels great with a big click."
#66
AXS GX
4.0
(1)
"The AXS GX rocker pod was also good with a light action."
#67
Dia-Compe
4.0
(1)
"Look at Velo Orange and Rivendell for friction shifting options."
#68
Origin8
4.0
(1)
"Buy some inexpensive drop bar levers and bar ends."
#69
B-series
3.0
(1)
"Are all B-series short shifters the same? 'Cause they don't have one specifically for the Integra like they do later models."
#70
Coolerworx
3.0
(1)
"I upgraded to a coolerworx , which is a copy cat of the CAE short shifter."
#71
Paradise Arcade
3.0
(1)
"Paradise Arcade Magenta doesn't use micro switches, it uses a magnet and hall effect sensors."
#72
Megan
2.0
(1)
"The general issue with "C's style" replicas like the Megan V1 is that they tend to rattle."
#73
Circuit Sports
1.0
(1)
"Circuit sports (it sucks)"
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