Help...9 Speed thumb shifter compatibility.

Hey,

I've recently built up a work bike from a 90s steel Raleigh frame with a wald basket on the front. I've put new wheels on it with a 9 speed cassette rear wheel. I wanted a thumb shifter on the handle bars so I went and bought a surely archer 9 speed indexed thumb shifter and set it up. What I found is that the shifter is electing properly. Some times it misses a gear and jumps up and down. I have a 105 cassette on the back.

Is there a compatibility issue with this set up? Is there any thumb shifter that would work with my 9 seed cassette?

Cheers,

Tom.

Do you have one of these if so it should work with your cassette. Check your set up. Sounds like you need to index the gears.
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/sunrace-m90-9-speed-thumbshifter-right-hand-prod37382/

This is the shifter I'm having problems with.

What brand + model is your dérailleur?

It's a shimano tiagra.

It could be a number of things, there's a good section on indexing on the Sheldon brown site which may help you troubleshoot

This is old but still good guide to settings derailleur stops and indexing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkzvfCaIbyQ&feature=youtu.be

Cool. Will check that out. I'm pretty competent with bike mechanics and have indexed gears on many many bikes but I can't seem to get my head around this issue.

It definitely feels like a compatibility issue rather than adjustment issue.

If you are having trouble and have set up the indexing and ruled out any cable run issues, two things come to mind.

1. Bent derailleur hanger.
   
2. Worn derailleur pivots/ jockey wheel bearings / weak return spring.
   

I have issues before with sun race thumb shifters my solution was to open it up and remove the bits that did the indexing and convert it to friction only. Worked a treat after that.

In conclusion, they are shit at indexing?

I would get a 9 speed shimano thumb shifter :-)

The best thumbs are old shimano ones for mtb's and switch them to friction. Or get Paul thumb adapter and mount shimano 9 speed bar end shifters on them that way you get a very nice indexed system.

I have a set of Suntour power thumb shifters which I am looking forward to trying out :-)

Thanks thecycleclinic, I tjimk Paul thumb adapters are the way to go.