A Look Back at the M732 Shimano XT Thumbshifter
- homagecycling
- Aug 4, 2025
- 2 min read
For many of us who remember the nascent days of mountain biking, to mention the thumbshifter conjures up a powerful sense of nostalgia. Before the sleek, trigger-style shifters dominated handlebars, there was a king — a humble yet revolutionary component that defined an era of off-road cycling and the M732 ruled them all .
The Shimano Deore XT thumbshifters, particularly models like the M730 (6-speed, 1987) and most importantly the M732 (7-speed, 1989), were incredibly popular and influential during the early days of mountain biking. They were a cornerstone of the original Deore XT groupset, which was Shimano's first mountain bike-specific component line introduced in 1983.
One of the key reasons for their popularity was their role in popularizing indexed shifting in mountain biking. Before these, most mountain bikes used friction shifters, which required a lot of feel to get into the right gear. Indexed shifters, like the XT thumbies, offered precise, one-click gear changes, making shifting much easier and more reliable, especially on rough terrain. This was a game-changer for many riders and helped accelerate the growth of mountain biking.
The durability and reliability of Shimano XT components, including the thumbshifters, were known, the robust construction and durability, essential for the demanding conditions of off-road riding can not be argued. They featured a "friction/SIS" switch, allowing riders to switch between indexed shifting (Shimano Index System) and friction mode, offering versatility if things got bad with the indexing from bad conditions or otherwise.
It's worth noting, though obvious, they were mounted above the handlebars and operated with the thumb, giving them their characteristic "thumbshifter" name. The XT line from '89 is my fave with its sophisticated, stealth black finish.
The dimise of the thumshifter came with the evolution to rapidfire, while the thumbies were immensely popular, Shimano eventually moved away from the classic thumbshifter design in favor of their RAPIDFIRE shifters (introduced around 1991), which placed the levers below the handlebar and allowed for quicker, more ergonomic shifting with both thumb and index finger. This evolution continued with trigger shifters that are now standard.
Sadly, original Shimano XT thumbshifters are no longer in production. However, they are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts restoring vintage mountain bikes. You can often find them on the used market (e.g., eBay). While modern Shimano XT shifters are still available (now typically "Rapidfire Plus" trigger shifters for 11 or 12 speeds), they bear little resemblance to the original thumbshifters.
In essence, the Shimano XT thumbshifter was a revolutionary component that played a crucial role in shaping the mountain bike experience and advancing shifting technology
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