Mountain Biking - forgive my shifter ignorance

Hi guys,
I'm getting ready to build a 2005 Blur frame, and I'm stuck on the shifters. I'm not really sure of the various styles out there. Here is what I know:
Right now I'm running these on my old POS:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0006H1DWG.01-A2TA1K4B0Y2H77._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

I really like the general style and their ability to rapidly shift.

I'm trying to stay away from gripshift. What about SRAM's push-pull combo? Is that one lever? How is that in terms of ergonomics? The only other thing I was looking at is Shimano's Rapid Fire. How do they work?

I'm also trying to avoid Dual Control.

Thanks for your help.

Actually SRAM is push - push. This allows you to do all of your shifting with just your thumb. :) SRAM is definately my personal preference.

Actually SRAM is push - push. This allows you to do all of your shifting with just your thumb. :) SRAM is definately my personal preference.

From the picture, it looks pretty similar to what I posted above? If there are two levers, how is it all thumb? Wouldn't it be index finger, thumb?

http://www.sram.com/_media/images/common/sram/popups/larger/x-9-trigger.jpg

Nope, you push in both of them with your thumb. :)

These are crappy pictures but maybe you will be able to see what I am talking about from them.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b148/LowCel/other%20people%20pics/1.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b148/LowCel/other%20people%20pics/a.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b148/LowCel/other%20people%20pics/b.jpg

It's push-push, very similar to the way that Shimano's 1st gen Rapidfire [?] shifters operated. The main lever is the silver one, and pushes you up the cassette to larger cogs. The black button is tapped to drop one gear at a time. Granted, SRAM refined it considerably, but it's a 15-year old concept. That said, apparently it works quite well, and is an alternative to Shimano. I think you will find it comes down to personal preference. Personally, I love my integrated shifters with Rapid Rise. It's so easy, and I don't mis-shift, even when braking/shifting at the same time. Rapid Rise makes sense [at least to me], since it makes the derailleur do the heavy work of pushing the chain up the cogset. When you push the lever, you are following the "path of least resistance" to move into harder gears. The only thing I worry about is breaking the unit, but I don't crash too much, and typically sacrifice my body to protect my bike*. I recommend a test ride of both systems before you plunk down your cash.

*Note: bones heal, but components cost money.

I recommend a test ride of both systems before you plunk down your cash.

That is the best advice you are going to get out of this thread. pinkrobe and myself are proof that people like both systems. Honestly there is not a "best" system out there. There is just what the rider likes better. For me it's SRAM, for other's it's Shimano. Just ride what you like. :D

Lowcel, those pictures really cleared up my confusion; that looks insanely easy.

Thank you everyone for the help; I'll post back when I've made my decision and all is said and done. :)

i have ridden shimano all my life untill a couple of months ago. i had a deal on some deore lx dual control hydros or sram rocket (x-9 equivelent) and these are amazing. i cannot imagine going back to shimano rapidfires. I like it because i use one finger to brake with my bb7 mech discs, and so this leaves me open to keep my finger over the brake incase i go off the trail. what i dont understand about dual control is that you never brake and shift at the same time. you use shifting to speed up. if you are downshifting it is because you are going to be going up hill. and then there is no need to brake. plus with dual control if you crash then it is way more expensive to replace your shifters/brakes. if i break my brake lever it costs me way less.


harris

looks like the older Shimano shifter system that came right after thumbshifters "anyone remember the big reason for Bridgston's demise?" You shift with your thumb using one of two levers stacked over each other. Pushed the top one to shift up, pushed the bottom to shift down.

Yeah! I like the way SRAM works, the old shifter came with my bike and suppose to be 9 speed but the smallest cog never had worked until I upgraded to X7 which I found cheap. At least now it is a real 9 speed. The rear derailieur also upgraded to XO works well. Expensive investment but worth it.
JD