Bicycle Mechanics - New 7 speed shifter for MTB

On my way to work the other day the plastic casing on my 7 speed gripshift shifter cracked. So I guess it is time to buy a new one. The old one was at least 10 years old and i bought it used so I guess this was just waiting to happen. Anyway I phoned 2 places for a replacement and the first place has a $30 (CND) 7 speed gripshift (similar to what I have) and the other place has a $9 thumbshift. Obviously I like the sound of the cheaper one and I can replace it 3 times before equaling the cost of the expensive one. But I guess my question is which style is better, thumbshift or gripshift. I do shift a lot on my commute and have always had the gripshift. Any opinions would be helpful.

Hehe- are you trying to generate another 30-page thread on the merits of gripshift vs. rapidfire?

We have both on our fleet of police bikes. I have used both extensively for the last 10 years. They both work fine. It's interesting to note that SRAM now makes a Rapidfire clone, whereas Shimano now makes a gripshifter....

7-speed gripshift units are readily available from Nashbar and other sources.

Thanks. No need for a 30 page thread here. If they are similar enough then I will try the cheap $9 rapidfire for now. This is only a commuting MTB so no need for too much money to go into it. That is saved for the nice road bike.

I've ridden with both. My bike originally came with bar top thumb shifters and when those were damaged in a crash, I replaced them with grip shifters. I strongly prefer the grip shifters. The thumb shifters had less leverage and it sometimes was difficult to shift if the cables got gunked up with mud. It's also much easier to shift with grip shifters when riding technical stuff - you don't have to take your thumb from under the handlebar. One problem I've had with grip shifters, though, is that is can get tough to shift when your hands get really sweaty - I typically don't wear gloves.

Thanks for your opinion. I ended up going with the thumbshifter due to cost and ease of getting to the place. I don't use this MTB much off road, mostly for commuting on pavement so mud gunking things up isn't an issue. I did like the gripshift but I did find that occassionally when going up hill I could accidentally pull on the handlebar and shift by accident. The new shifter works great and installation wasn't too bad either.