Best Bike Shifters for Mountain Bikes of 2025

Jason Kiser Avatar
Jason Kiser
Last Updated: Jan 8, 2025

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Bike shifters for mountain bikes are an essential tool for any serious cyclist. These devices allow riders to quickly and easily change the gears on their bike, helping them navigate tough terrain and challenging inclines. There are a variety of different types of shifters available, including trigger shifters, twist shifters, and grip shifters. Each type offers its own unique benefits and drawbacks, so it's important for riders to consider their individual needs and preferences when selecting a shifter for their mountain bike. Ultimately, a good shifter can make all the difference in a rider's experience on the trails, and can help them tackle even the toughest terrain with ease.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Haosie Bike Shifters, 3X7 Thumb Gear Shifters Cover #TOP 1
Haosie Bike Shifters, 3X7 Thumb Gear Shifters
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Tailcle 3X7 Speed Bike Shifter Set Cover #TOP 2
Tailcle 3X7 Speed Bike Shifter Set
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Aikolesa 7 Speed Bike Shifter Cover #TOP 3
Aikolesa 7 Speed Bike Shifter
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Bike Shifters for Mountain Bikes

#TOP 1

Haosie Bike Shifters, 3X7 Thumb Gear Shifters

Haosie
Haosiemptvd86yi2
Black
Haosie Bike Shifters, 3X7 Thumb Gear Shifters Cover
Haosie Bike Shifters, One Pair Outdoor Mountain Bicycle, 3X7 Thumb Gear Shifters, TX-30 Speed Shift Lever and Set

Haosie Thumb Gear Shifters are a fantastic choice for your outdoor mountain bike. The right shifter allows you to effortlessly shift between 7 speeds using a trigger and thumb button. The left shifter, designed for triple cranksets, offers smooth gear changes. With clear speed display, you can easily see your gear selection, enhancing your cycling experience. Crafted from durable aluminum alloy, these shifters ensure long-lasting performance and safety. Plus, if you face any issues, the brand offers excellent customer support.

What We Like
Smooth 3x7 shifting
Clear speed display
Durable aluminum alloy
#TOP 2

Tailcle 3X7 Speed Bike Shifter Set

Tailcle
3X7 speed shifter
Black and White
Tailcle 3X7 Speed Bike Shifter Set Cover
Tailcle 1 Pair 3X7 Speed Bike Shifter, Bicycle Shifter Twist Grip Bike Gear Shifter MTB Mountain Bike Handlebar Shift 21S

The Tailcle Bike Shifter offers a complete 7-speed set designed for 3 x 7 speed bicycles. With its ergonomic and sturdy design, you can enjoy a comfortable grip while riding. The precise indexing feature allows you to shift gears smoothly, enhancing your control and performance on the mountain trails. Installation is a breeze, as these shifters fit most mountain bike handlebars securely. Upgrade your biking experience with this reliable and easy-to-use gear shifter, ensuring you can navigate any terrain with confidence.

What We Like
Complete shifter set
Ergonomic grip design
Smooth gear shifting
Easy installation

Aikolesa 7 Speed Bike Shifter

Aikolesa
RS25-7R
Black
Aikolesa 7 Speed Bike Shifter Cover
Aikolesa Bike Gear Shifters 7 Speed, Bicycle Revoshift Right SL-RS25-7 7R Shift Lever Bicycle Twist Grip Thumb Gear Shifter for MTB Folding Mountain Bike (RS25-7R)

The Aikolesa 7 Speed Shifter is designed to enhance your cycling experience with its intuitive features. The trigger-type design allows for easy gear changes, letting you shift up with a simple thumb button and down effortlessly with a lever. This means you can focus on your ride without fumbling with complicated mechanisms. Built from durable aluminum alloy, it promises reliability and longevity in various cycling conditions. Additionally, the twist grip mechanism lets you adjust through seven speeds with minimal effort, ensuring smooth transitions as you tackle different terrains. Finally, the visible gear indicators keep you informed about your current gear, making your ride more enjoyable.

What We Like
Smooth gear transitions
Durable aluminum construction
Easy to use
Compatible with various bikes
Clear gear indicators
#TOP 4

Libereco M315 21-Speed Bike Shifter

Libereco
M315
3x7 Speed
Libereco M315 21-Speed Bike Shifter Cover
Libereco Bike Shifter M315 21 Speed (Left 3 Speed and Right 7 Speed) Bicycle Shifter Lever with Cable Housing and End Cup for Mountain Bike, City Bike, Folding Bike

The Libereco 21-Speed Shifter enhances your cycling experience with its flexible gear options. The left lever offers 3 speeds, while the right lever provides 7 speeds, giving you a total of 21 gear choices. This variety allows you to easily tackle different terrains and enjoy a smoother ride. The shifter is made from high-quality aluminum alloy, ensuring durability without adding extra weight to your bike. Additionally, the gear display is conveniently placed below the handlebar, so you can quickly check your gear position at a glance, making your rides more enjoyable and stress-free.

What We Like
Flexible gear options
Durable aluminum alloy
Easy gear position display
Simplified installation
#TOP 5

RainFlowwer 18 Speed Shifter

RainFlowwer
3x6 speed
3x6 speed
RainFlowwer 18 Speed Shifter Cover
RainFlowwer Bicycle 18 Speed Shifter Mountain Bike Speed Shift Derailleur Handle Twist Shift

The RainFlowwer Shifter Bike Speed is a high-quality 18-speed shifter designed for mountain bikes. The 0.9-inch inner diameter makes it perfect for 6 level 18 speed bikes. Made of soft and anti-slip rubber material, it offers comfort and grip during rides. This transmission set includes a 18 speed shifter and handle grip for both left and right sides. Easy to install, it adds fun to your cycling experience and ensures smooth gear shifts. With a 180-day return policy, you can enjoy cycling with confidence.

What We Like
High-quality materials
Easy installation
Comfortable grip
#TOP 6

RainFlowwer Revoshift MTB Bike Bicycle Right Shift Lever, SL-RS35 6 Speed Bicycle Twist Grip Gear

RainFlowwer
SL-RS35-6R
SL-RS35-6R
SL-RS35-6R
RainFlowwer Revoshift MTB Bike Bicycle Right Shift Lever, SL-RS35 6 Speed Bicycle Twist Grip Gear Cover
RainFlowwer Revoshift MTB Bike Bicycle Right Shift Lever, SL-RS35 6 Speed Bicycle Twist Grip Gear, Bike Handle Shifter for Mountain Bicycle

The RainFlowwer Revoshift MTB Bike Bicycle Right Shift Lever, also known as the RainFlowwer Revoshift SL-RS35 6 Speed Bicycle Twist Grip Gear, is a high-quality bike shifter designed for mountain bikes, commuter bikes, and folding bikes. Made of durable materials, this shift lever is both lightweight and strong, ensuring safety and stability during rides. With its convenient Revoshift shifter, riders can easily shift gears using only their fingers, allowing for a secure and stable grip on the handlebars. The gear view window, equipped with an optical gear display, provides riders with a clear view of the selected gear position, making shifting control easier than ever. Experience a relaxed riding experience and explore the world with the RainFlowwer Revoshift MTB Bike Bicycle Right Shift Lever.

What We Like
High-quality materials
Convenient Revoshift shifter
Optical gear display

MAKELEN Shimano Thumb Shift Lever SL-TX30

MAKELEN
SL-TX30
3x6 Speed
MAKELEN Shimano Thumb Shift Lever SL-TX30 Cover
MAKELEN Thumb Shift Lever SL-TX30, 18 Speed-Right 6 Speed Left 3 Speed (No SIS) Thump Grip Gear Bike Shift Lever for Mountain Bicycle

The MAKELEN Shimano Thumb Shift Lever SL-TX30, also known as the MAKELEN Thumb Shift Lever, is a great bike DIY equipment that provides fast and easy shifting. With the ability to shift within one second, you can keep your fingers on the handle and maintain a safe and stable grip while performing at your best. The right hand shifting with SIS (Shimano Index System) ensures smooth and fast speed changes, allowing you to check your speed on the gear window. Whether you're using it for mountain bikes, commuter bikes, or folding bikes, this shift lever is a reliable choice. Upgrade your bike or replace your old shifters to make your ride easier with the MAKELEN Thumb Shift Lever.

What We Like
Fast and Easy Shifting
Smooth Shifting with SIS
Great Bike DIY Equipment
#TOP 8

JIUCHEN 2Pcs Mountain Bike Shifter Set

JIUCHEN
15967801717595
Black
JIUCHEN 2Pcs Mountain Bike Shifter Set Cover
2Pcs Bicycle Bike Twist Grip Gear Shifter Handle Set, Mountain Bike Speed Shifter Reverse Rolling Stick Device Set, Bicycle Cycling 18/21 Speed Derailleur

The JIUCHEN Bike Shifter Set is designed for durability and ease of use. Made from aluminum alloy and reinforced with iron cables, this set ensures long-lasting performance. The sturdy metal cable enhances braking power while providing smooth operation, making your rides safer and more enjoyable. With its comfortable soft-grip handles, you can shift gears effortlessly, allowing for a more pleasant cycling experience. This versatile shifter set is compatible with both mountain bikes and standard bicycles, making it an excellent choice for various cycling enthusiasts.

What We Like
Durable materials
Comfortable grip
Easy installation
Compatible with various bikes

THALOUS SL-TX30-LN Bike Shifter

THALOUS
TH-SLTX30-US
3 speed/SL-TX30-LN
THALOUS SL-TX30-LN Bike Shifter Cover
THALOUS Bicycle Gear Shift Lever SL-TX30-6R/7R/3R 3 6 7 Speed Left Right Thumb Shifter for MTB Mountain Bike

Introducing the THALOUS SL-TX30-LN Bike Shifter, a versatile gear shift lever designed for MTB mountain bicycles. With its excellent shifting performance, this thumb shifter allows you to effortlessly switch between its 3 adjustable gears, ensuring a smooth and efficient ride. The clear speed display makes it easy to see which gear you're in, enhancing your overall riding experience. Compatible with most bikes on the market, including mountain bikes, road bikes, electric bikes, and more, the THALOUS Bike Shifter is a must-have accessory for any cycling enthusiast.

What We Like
Excellent shifting performance
Clear speed display
Universal compatibility
#TOP 10

EMERK 18 Speed Bicycle Shifter Set

EMERK
3x6 speed
3x6 speed
EMERK 18 Speed Bicycle Shifter Set Cover
EMERK Bicycle 18 Speed Shifter Lever Revoshift Shift Lever Set, 3 x 6 Speed Grip Shift Left and Right Shifter for Mountain Bike with 1 Pair of Non-Slip Rubber Bike Handle Bar Grips

The EMERK 18 Speed Shifters offer a reliable and efficient way to manage your bike's gears. With a lightweight design made from high-quality materials, you can enjoy a safer and more stable ride. The non-slip rubber grips enhance your braking power, ensuring smooth operation even during challenging rides. You’ll appreciate the ease of shifting, which can be done with just your fingers, allowing you to maintain a secure grip on the handlebars. This feature is particularly beneficial for long rides, as it minimizes fatigue in your hands, wrists, and elbows.

What We Like
Durable materials
Easy finger shifting
Non-slip rubber grips
Reduces hand fatigue
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you use road bike shifters on MTB?

Most 8- and 9-speed Shimano mountain bike and road kit is inter-compatible because they both use the same cable pull ratio. This means that you can use an 8 -or 9-speed mountain bike derailleur with road shifters or vice versa.

2. How do I choose bike shifters?

Typically it is not recommended to mix different brands of drive train components, even if they have the same amount of gears. The best way to choose your road bike shifter is to try them both out before purchasing to see which one you find more comfortable, and which lever system you prefer.

3. What are shifters on a mountain bike?

Shifters: These controls, whether levers, twist grips or integrated with brake levers, operate the derailleurs via cables (or circuitry in electronic shifters). On most bikes the right-hand shifter controls the rear derailleur and the left-hand shifter controls the front derailleur.

4. Can you use any shifters with any derailleurs?

No, different maker or different model with different number of "speed" shifters have different pull ratio (i.e. the length of cable pulled by a single shift). Usually it's safe to use different model with same number of gears from the same maker.

Editor's Notes

During our bike shifter for mountain bikes research, we found 24 bike shifter for mountain bikes products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 4,337 customer reviews through our big data system to write the bike shifters for mountain bikes list. We found that most customers choose bike shifters for mountain bikes with an average price of $14.93.

The bike shifters for mountain bikes are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of bike shifters for mountain bikes, including Haosie, Tailcle, Aikolesa, Libereco, RainFlowwer. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 282 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Jason Kiser Avatar

Jason Kiser is an editor who lives in California, he previously worked in a travel agency for ten years, which enabled him to travel a number of interesting countries and experience several different cultures along the way. His range of job and travel experiences grant him expertise in hiking, camping, outdoors and fitness.