Mountain Biking - Grip Shift

Hey everyone
I have just one more question, before I forget my login info o_O.

Are gripshifts anygood?, I know they can get on your nerves by being in the wrong place at the wrong time, But are they alright for an entry level user?, If so, would it be hard/expensive to get the replaced for other shifting methods in the future?

dont fly with gripshift amigo...
it only comes on very inexpensive bikes, and is a major frackin hassle.
your far better off with some ****ty rapidfires

dont fly with gripshift amigo...
it only comes on very inexpensive bikes, and is a major frackin hassle.
your far better off with some ****ty rapidfires

Thx for your help, I guess that will be the first thing to upgrade when I get enough green.

Are gripshifts anygood?

Work great for me. I prefer them.

dont fly with gripshift amigo...
it only comes on very inexpensive bikes, and is a major frackin hassle.
your far better off with some ****ty rapidfires
Wow you've managed to eliminate everything except Flippy levers, SRAM triggers and friction. :rolleyes:

Thx
http://img217.echo.cx/img217/1002/textspeak7oe.jpg
No DOLBY

Hey everyone
I have just one more question, before I forget my login info o_O.

Are gripshifts anygood?, I know they can get on your nerves by being in the wrong place at the wrong time, But are they alright for an entry level user?, If so, would it be hard/expensive to get the replaced for other shifting methods in the future?
They're absolutly fine. I personally don't like them, but my girlfriend swears by them. They can be swapped out as easily and as cheaply as anything else.

Will you STOP POSTING THAT STUPID IMAGE!?!!?!

Will you STOP POSTING THAT STUPID IMAGE!?!!?!
Nope. Check your PM's in a second though I may have a solution for you.

Hey everyone
I have just one more question, before I forget my login info o_O.

Are gripshifts anygood?, I know they can get on your nerves by being in the wrong place at the wrong time, But are they alright for an entry level user?, If so, would it be hard/expensive to get the replaced for other shifting methods in the future?
grip shifts are great...its like twisting a throttle! :D

Wow you've managed to eliminate everything except Flippy levers, SRAM triggers and friction. :rolleyes:

http://img217.echo.cx/img217/1002/textspeak7oe.jpg
No DOLBY
:lol: :roflmao: :lol: :roflmao:

i personally like the rapid fire shifters over the grip shifts, i shift on accident too many times with grip shifts

Sram's X0 stuff uses a gripshift, so they can't be that ****ty. I still don't like them though.

Gripshifts are fine. It is a matter of preference as to which technology to use. Many XC racers use "twisties" including this guy, Liam Killeen (http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCWhatsNewDetail.jsp?article=5039&refp=TeamMTB).

Getting a bit more specific:

Benefits of Grip Shift: Easier to brake and shift together; can be easier on smaller hands (I know a couple of women that prefer Grip Shift who had trouble getting triggers adjusted to avoid strange finger contortions); You can micro-adjust the trim of the front deurailler to avoid noise/chain rub if that type of thing bugs you.

Drawbacks: Can sometimes shift when you don't want them to; Take up a bit more real estate on the handlebars which might be an issue if you've got a lot of gear (lights, computer, bell, etc.) mounted there.

Try and ride a bike with Grip Shift - as noted, it really comes down to personal preference.

grip shifts are great...its like twisting a throttle! :D

I don't know if you've ever been on anything that had a twisting throttle, but I came from a scooter/motorcycle background (not the crappy kind sold here in the States, but the larger powerful Italian/European/Asian kind) . Grip shifts are akward to me. The fact that they are on both sides of the handle bars doesn't help. The larger shifts tend to be on the left, which once again, doesn't help. Also, I personally have been on more scooters, but some friends of mine in the past with more motorcyle experience have been known to twist the throttle and apply what they thought was the clutch! :eek: Thats right, those tend to be the front brakes. :D

Also, I don't think they're great for beginers as they tend to be confusing to new people. The pain of using a twisting motion, while biking tends to leave some people in the wrong gear for trips.

Hey everyone
I have just one more question, before I forget my login info o_O.

Are gripshifts anygood?, I know they can get on your nerves by being in the wrong place at the wrong time, But are they alright for an entry level user?, If so, would it be hard/expensive to get the replaced for other shifting methods in the future?

Grip shifts are a superior shifter in my opinion. You can drop or grab the whole casstte in one motion if you need to. But yes, they can cause the rare accidental shift. A little longer grip can cut down on that.

On the BIG plus side, the front shifter has nine clicks instead of just three. This allows you to adjust out chain rub. Many people prefer riding with a gripshift on the front and a trigger on the rear. In fact, some places sell JUST the front gripshift for this purpose.

In the end, it's a matter of personal preference. Whereas, 1:1 (SRAM) is just plain superior to 2:1 (Shimano) shift actuation ratio ;-)

I had grips, I now have trigger shifters, I won't be going back.

I don't know if you've ever been on anything that had a twisting throttle, but I came from a scooter/motorcycle background
I raced motorcycles at a fairly high amateur level...hence my screen name. :p


The larger shifts tend to be on the left, which once again, doesn't help.
Swap grip shifters...I did. (or maybe they came that way...don't recall now)


but some friends of mine in the past with more motorcyle experience have been known to twist the throttle and apply what they thought was the clutch! :eek: Thats right, those tend to be the front brakes. :D
:eek: I definitely swapped brakes and put the front brake where it belongs, on the RIGHT!:D


Also, I don't think they're great for beginers as they tend to be confusing to new people. The pain of using a twisting motion, while biking tends to leave some people in the wrong gear for trips.
really? :(

It's a matter of preference.
I use to ride Grip Shifters and my new bike came with Rapid Fire. I swore that my first change to the bike would be to put some grip shifters on, but I've gotten use to the rapid fires now.
It's easier for me to tell what gear I'm in with the rapid fire shifters.

I have used 4 different shifters in the last 9-10 months. Here's what I think:

Shimano Acera trigger shifters:
http://bike.shimano.com/media/images/cycling/products/bikecomponents/ST/ST-EF35-large_v2_m56577569830553363.jpg
These came with my first bike. I was totally a newbie, so I can't really say much about them. They don't require much time to get used to, and does well what they are supposed to do. The thing I didn't like was the index finger position was totally wrong for me.


Shimano XT dual control levers:
http://bike.shimano.com/media/images/cycling/products/bikecomponents/ST/st-m760-large_v2_m56577569830551629.jpg
In terms of ease of use and control this was the best I've used. I think it is very ergonomic because it allows shifting and braking without changing the hand position, using only one or two fingers. It allows you to have good grip and control at all times. Takes some time to get used to though. The derailleur has low normal return spring, which means the spring pulls the derailleur towards the larger cog. This reverses the shifting action for the rear, which sometimes confused me.

The down side of these shifters were, I had to make adjustments, and tuning almost every week. Then I decided to sell these and get SRAM components.


SRAM X.9 trigger shifters:
http://www.sram.com/_media/images/en/sram/mountain/components/x9/triggershifter_off.jpg
Very crispy, very precise, very responsive. Never misses a shift, never need to make adjustments.

The problem with these for me was positioning them. When I place them too close to the grips, it makes it hard to reach the brake levers. When I place them far from the grips then it makes it hard to reach the triggers.

I use two fingers for braking, and (obviously) thumb for shifting. That leaves only two fingers to hold the handlebar, which makes the control of the bike a little harder.


SRAM X.0 twist shifters:
http://www.sram.com/_media/images/en/sram/mountain/components/x0/twistshifter_off.jpg
I got these 3 weeks ago. The first day I hated them, and I hated myself for buying them. I seriously couldn't sleep that night, thinking if I should return them or not. I decided to give some time, and it worked. Each day I started to like them more and more, and I started to see their advantage over triggers.

Shifting is perfect as the X.9 triggers. Micro adjust for the front derailleur is the best idea ever. No more chain drops, or rubbing. Now I have more grip for better control, and I can shift through the whole cassette in one shot. And I don't have any problems with accidental shifting as said. I totally love them.

To conclude, it's really hard to find what you really would like. I think trying different shifters at a bike shop, or on a friend's bike won't work as it takes time to get used to.

Well said erhan

On the BIG plus side, the front shifter has nine clicks instead of just three. This allows you to adjust out chain rub.
Never mind actually adjusting your derailieur properly :rolleyes: