Recreational & Family - trigger shifters or grip shifters - which is better

I am trying to decide between the raleigh c300 and the trek 7300.
One of the differences is the shifter.

The c300 has the trigger and the trek 7300 has the grip.
Which is better quality and prefered.

Thanks,

it's more of what you like. I like triggers myself but thats jsut me. I did not really mind grips though. they are handy in you can shift the whole range at once.

I prefer trigger shifters myself. When we bought my sons Trek 7100 the LBS swapped out the twist shifters for trigger at a cost of $10 labor. that might be an option if you prefer trigger.

I like grip shifters. I have a close ratio 9 speed rear which is nice once you get to cruising speed, but until then, I'm shifting up and down a lot, at least 2 cogs at a time. The grip shifter is much quicker for that. The only down side for me is that they get slippery enough to need gloves with good traction in the rain.

Hi,

I've had grip shift shifters on my mountain bike for 10+ years, and they work great, I did replace one that cracked a couple years ago, but good quality, fast shifting, no problems other then the crack (and it did not impact use at the time). I had triggers on my first mountain bike and they were ok, and we have triggers on our tandem, but they are lower end Shimano and I don't really care for them. They work ok, but shifting isn't as snappy as with the grip shift or my first set of triggers. If looking lower end I would go for the Grip shift, although better triggers would make it an even trade. I might lean toward the Trek, for other reason. Basically comes down to feel I guess.

John

I was a shimano "trigger" guy. Bought a bike with SRAM gripshifts. Hated it at first, but after a couple months I don't really mind them. I am considering switching them out for the SRAM X.7 trigger shifters. You can get these new for about $25-$30 on Ebay. If you have SRAM derailers, I believe you need to stay with SRAM shifters due to the 1:1 shift ratio (LOL - whatever that is - I assume it's the relationship of cable movement to derailer movement).

I guess in my opinion, I'd be open minded to the other components the bike has, and not let the shifters be the deal breaker. Like some have said, the bike shop could change them out, or just try them for a while, and if you don't like switch to the X.7. The X.7's do appear to operate a little differently then Shimano triggers. I need to go find them in person for an evaluation.....maybe someone on here has them or has used them.

hi; I have had grip shifters since I bought my Gary Fisher Kaitai in '94. It's been one tough bike and the shifters have worked very well for me.


Stedve, Liz and Gumbeaux the wonder dog!