Shifter (bicycle Part)
A bicycle shifter or gear control or gear levers is a component used to control the gearing mechanisms and select the desired gear ratio. Typically, they operate either a derailleur mechanism or an internal hub gear mechanism. In either case, the control is operated by moving a cable that connects the shifter to the gear mechanism. Shifters are mounted on the down tube of the frame, stem, or various locations on the handlebars. Manufacturers of shifters include Shimano, Campagnolo, and SRAM.
Shifter controls are mounted so that the right shifter controls the rear derailleur and the left shifter controls the front derailleur. For hub gears, the control is also mounted on the right.
Various shifters designs have included friction shifters and index shifters, which do not require fine-tuning during a gear change, as well as shifters integrated with the brake controls.
Read more about Shifter (bicycle Part): Friction Shifting, Index Shifting, Shifter Designs, Combined Brake and Shift Levers, Variations