Shifter for Shimano Nexus 4-speed internal gear hub SG-4R31

[BobtheBuilder]

Just wondering if anyone knows a (thumb) shifter compatible with a Shimano Nexus 4-speed internal gear hub SG-4R31.

I picked an old wreck up on Gumtree for $30 and trying to resurrect it.

It has an old shifter on it, but the cabling is completely gone and want to replace whole lot.

Also, if anyone has any tips on testing if the gears are actually working, would be much appreciated.

[MattyK]

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/nexus4.html

The shift lever for the 4-speed hub may be unavailable, but the cable pull for the shift levers for Shimano 7-speed and 8-speed internal-gear hubs is close enough in the lowest 4 gears that these shifters can be used with the 4-speed.

I'd guess you might be able to use any friction shifter also as a bodge (and as you ask to test the gear functionality) , but I wouldn't recommend it long term without some indexing.

[find_bruce]

This cribsheet by Sheldon Brown is useful - it sets out the cable pull for the nexus 4 speed & why it is close enough for the lowest 4 speeds of the nexus 7 & 8 speed shifters.

You can make a sturmey archer 3 speed shifter work for a 3 speed nexus & they also make a 4 speed thumb shifter which may work, but I haven't been able to find any measurements of the cable pull, nor have I seen any for sale

[10speedsemiracer]

I think you'll be stuck with the replacement RevoShifter, which (for some reason) is readily available from UK sellers.

There are also a few retro-looking Shimano Nexus4 thumb shifters on eBay in various designs.

[BobtheBuilder]

Sheldon Brown reckons you can use the first four positions on the Shimano 7- or 8-speed shifters. I hate grip shifters!
But I might first take apart the old one on the bike I have and see if it can be repaired.

But first I need a way to see if the gears actually work.

I am guessing I could just wire up the gear cable and adjust by hand to see if they function, but if anyone knows a way I can check just using the hub, please speak up!

[MattyK]

The Shimano Alfine 8-speed shifter is a trigger type, not a twist grip. Costs more though.