Mountain Biking - Grip shifts and grips

I'm in the process of building up a new mtb. Ventanna Pantera frame, Fox Talas RL fork. SRAM X.0 Gripshift's and X.0 rear derailleur, XTR Front Deraileur (why can't SRAM make a front Derailleur), Velomax Rogue wheels and Avid Ultimate Brake levers and brakes, holzfeller crankset. I bought most of this early last year (lost job so project got put on hold). Frame and fork should be here by mid next week! :) I know they make shorter grips for the SRAM gripshift shifters, do you suggest them or should I go with the standard grip lengths?

get the shorter grips if you dont want your brake levers sooo close to the center of the handlebar. not like you'll run into any problems if you get normal grips, though.

Before you put the grips on, adjust the shifters and brake levers in along the bar so that your hands are shoulder width, or a little more, apart. You can get a mirror and look, or just see if your wrist is at a neutral angle.

Play around with it until you get a position that feels right, then work out from there. Measure where the grips will go, then mark this point on the bar. You may need to cut down the bar if you have extra past the grips - a pipe cutter is probably the best way, check at a hardware store.

So, the width of the grip shouldn't matter unless you're running bar ends. If you are, the grip width will adjust how wide apart these are. Without the grips installed yet, try setting the bar ends at the two widths - see which is most comfortable.

Hope that helps!
Mike

Sram does make front deraileurs...

http://www.cambriabike.com/SALE/derailleurfrt/sram_90_dual_pull_front_derailleur.htm

Damn! And to think I went with Shimano because I couldn't find anything made by SRAM!




By the way Kev... you'll be happy with the XO shifters and derailler... it's an awesome setup. For grips I'd recommend some ODI Lockon grips. I have them, and they make a specific length for Gripshift that's just right. Plus, your grips wont slip off reguardless of how wet and muddy things get.