Move trigger shifter to left side?

[BlackHand]

I recently fractured my thumb and have not been riding as I can't downshift with my SLX shifter. It's looking like it will be a bit of a long haul before the thumb is reasonably functional again (surgery, bone graft, plate, the whole nine yards) so I'd like to come up with an interim solution so I can get back to riding while I'm still rehabbing the thumb.

I'm thinking I could relocate the shifter upside down on the left side and still reasonably operate it. I would need to move my bosch assist controller inboard, but I dont think that will be a problem.

Has anybody tried this or have an alternative solution?

 

[Mike TowpathTraveler]

Ouch! Warm thoughts on a quick and complete healing, @BlackHand!

Two thoughts came to mind, but they could be permanent solutions with considerable expense. But what does not come at considerable expense these days when it comes to anything on our ebikes?

The first thing that came to mind is a Sram Twist Grip Shifter. But a check on the 'net shows the Sram pull-length per shift is not identical to the Shimano derailleur. So this would require a change over to a Sram derailleur. Then, the idea that even though shifting a twist grip does not require the use of your thumb, the crook between your thumb & index finger that grips the shifter might be too stressful on those healing parts of your thumb. Sigh.......

The second idear would be an electronic shifter which would then require you to use your right index finger to trigger the shift. Don't know how awkward that would be. And I'm sure it all comes at a considerable expense.

Moving the shifter over might be worth a shot. But maybe the most practical idea might be to pick a gear on your rear cassette cluster that offers decent start-off torque with some semblance of a high gear where you are not spinning the pedals so fast. Think somewhere on the cassette about halfway down the sprocket for the best compromise of high and low.....

 

[teskow]

I have done this (moved the shifter to the left side) so know your idea will work just fine. I move controls around to my liking all the time. There is no set place controls need to be as long as they are to your liking and functional. I moved the stem to point to the rear to shorten the distance from the seat to the handlebars and the bike rides fine.

 

[AHicks]

What have you got to loose? Give it a try.

Best of luck getting that hand functional again.....

 

[6zfshdb]

If you have a few $$ to throw at the problem, you might consider an electronic shifter like this one from Archer:

D1x Trail Shifter w/ Micro-Adjust Remote

30-day Money Back Guarantee! The D1x Trail adds high-performance electronic shifting to any rear derailleur. Get smooth, precise shifting no matter what you ride. 1x, 2x, 3x? SRAM, Shimano, Box, TRP? The D1x plays nice with everybody! Our Micro-Adjust Remote lets you fine tune each gear from the...

archercomponents.com

I use one to ease my arthritic pain when shifting. I use the light touch remote which makes it easy to shift with any finger. The remote can also be placed on the left since it uses no cable or wires.

 

[rich c]

$45 gets you a left hand shifter. https://www.worldwidecyclery.com/collections/mtb-left-hand-shifters

 

[BlackHand]

Thanks all! Hopefully this will only be for a few months so I'll see if moving the shifter over works well enough. If not, the left hand shifter looks like a great option without breaking the bank.

The Archer electronic shifter sounds great but will likely be overkill unless things don't go as planned with the surgeon.