Mountain Biking - Thumb shift or Grip Shift?

I personally prefer Grip shift. It's saves space and you can use the shifter part as the handle itself. Shifting doesn't take too much trouble as you don't have to raise your thumbs.

Right now my new bike comes with a thumb shift and my thumb gets tired.... still trying to get used to it.

I assume you mean trigger(index) shifting and not friction shifters. You'll get used to it fast enough. I wuld prefer trigger shifting over Grip Shift on any bike, but its a a very personal thing, kind of like seat selecetion, where one person might like one thing but another person could hate it.

altho gripshift may be easier to get to i still thnk that rapidfire is much more precise in the shifts.

100% for rapid fire shifters. I find grip shifters slip when pushing hard (I tend to rotate my hands when riding seeing as I keep a loose grip). Although I do know a few people who prefer them.

Rapidfire because for me its easier just to move my index finger or thumb rather than my whole hand.

Also i also believe it has crisper shifts. Never used any decent grip-shift so I can't really compare.

I like the grip shift that I have. You can tune the front derailleur better with it. Also less stuff in the way.

I'm for rapid fire. For me it's more natural and comfortable.

Who knew?

I prefer the simplicity of gripshift, but I've used XT rapidfire shifters with an XTR rear mech and they shifted as well as my SRAM 7 set up.

I dont like Grip shift, as sometimes they will shift when you dont want them to.

Originally posted by cidmort
I dont like Grip shift, as sometimes they will shift when you dont want them to.

Stop bringing back ancient posts. This one is 7 months old :)...

Originally posted by Maelstrom
Stop bringing back ancient posts. This one is 7 months old :)... Wrongo damn near a year old

I couldn't resist.

I'll pass on the twisters, but managed 2 out of 3...

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid62/pbc4325f34966edb35f0fba550c81df63/fc1e8268.jpg

I have rapidfire shifters on all my bikes except one that has the grip shifters. I hate to say this but grip shifters tend to change gears when you dont want them to.

Well, since everone else is replying in this old ass thread, I might as well too.


I use the SRAM XO shifter/derailler setup, but also have Shimano on another bike. I prefer the Gripshift. More positive feel and engages better. I don't know what you guys are doing wrong.. but my bike never shifts gears when I don't want it to! Maybe set up your grips so they're wide enough for your hands? I find that my Gripshift is more precise, also. My Rapidfire just doesn't feel the same.

I like the XTR sti levers- I just got them and like them better than trigger (which I hate) and Sram gripshift (which I like lots).

GripShift allows you you fine tune your derailleur position, esp. on the front one. I'm having lots of trouble with the RapidFire because it's got no "in between" position, and it rubs like hell. I keep trying to tune it, but it still rubs on the middle chainring. Shifts great though.

Anyone tries the new x7 or x9 SRAM trigger shifters?

The reviews over here seem good so far. I'm happy with gripshift at the moment apart from the dire range of decent shorter grips.

Richard