Mountain Biking - Shifter

Hey guys I''m new to bike modification.
I recently just bought a Gary FISher Joshua F3, but it came with a grip shifter which is not really favorable to me. How hard is it to change the shifter?
Do I just buy any shifter and install the cable,or I have to change other parts too?

k first of all you have to find a compatible shifter(shimano and sram for the most part are not) the cable you have on there should work(although i am unfamiliar with grip shifts) but if you wanted to repace cable to, if its old and cracked, you may as well do it well you doing the shifter. i figured out how to change my shimano shifters just by taking it apart slowly thinking things through and not taking apart things i shouldnt have. if you really are clueless about it take it to a shop and watch him do it.

Youre better off taking it to a shop. I would buy new shifter cables too though and have them install those instead of cheap ones.

These are nice:

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/11115-050_AVDFJ8-3-Parts-49-Cables/Avid-Flak-Jacket-Cable-Set.htm

Ok first of all you have to find a compatible shifter(shimano and sram for the most part are not)Depends. If he has a MRX and or an Attack or a Rocket series he's golden. The Rear derailieur determines what he needs to be using
the cable you have on there should workConsidering the Joshua F3 is a pretty old bike I'm saying replace the cable as it's likely to be fairly old as well
(although i am unfamiliar with grip shifts)Yet you comment..... <shakes head>
but if you wanted to repace cable to, if its old and cracked,You mean the housing.

We need to know the type of rear derailieur and the number of speeds before we can make a honest judgement for you. The good news is that both Shimano AND SRAM make triggers that will work for your bike SRAM actually makes versions for BOTH companies derailieurs

Depends. If he has a MRX and or an Attack or a Rocket series he's golden. The Rear derailieur determines what he needs to be usingConsidering the Joshua F3 is a pretty old bike I'm saying replace the cable as it's likely to be fairly old as wellYet you comment..... <shakes head>You mean the housing.

We need to know the type of rear derailieur and the number of speeds before we can make a honest judgement for you. The good news is that both Shimano AND SRAM make triggers that will work for your bike SRAM actually makes versions for BOTH companies derailieurs


Ok here are the details:
The deurailers are Shimano LX
The speed is 27

I'm thinking of replacing the shifter with this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7156574806&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBI%3AIT&rd=1

I beleive the cable comes with it.

This is the bike that I just bought
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7152039338&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Thanks for the replies y'all.

All shimano 9-speed. Go for it. And replace the inner cables, they always mangle at the ends. If you want to be cheap you can cut short the old back inner cable and use it on the front. You may also need to replace the cable housings at the bars if the lengths needed for the old shifters dont match the new ones.

If yourt looking to replace it all you could give
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/12862-135_SRASD3_KIT-3-Parts-69-Shifters/SRAM--X.7-Trigger-Shifter--w_-X.7-Rear-Derailleur-COMBO.htm
a shot. I always post htis so people are aware, pretty good deal

Replacing the shifters is easy.

Use this site as a reference (as well as any info that come with the new ones):

http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/lever.shtml