Grip Shifters! HELP!!!

[fthomas]

I do some volunteer work with a couple of non-profits and one of them is Teen Challenge. A fellow from Teen Challenge was given a Specialized Rockhopper with twist shifters. I replaced the seat, brake levers, brakes, tires and tubes, and was running new cable from the twist sifters.

YIKES!!!:eek:

These things are not the best quality on this old low end mountain bike. The FD shifter seems pretty straight forward, but the rear shifter for a seven cog is a bit problematic. Well actually they are both problematic.

Can any of you guys point me to an authoritative source on OLD Shimano grip twisters so I can figure out exactly how to run the cable through these blasted things! Everything is done with the exception of these shifters and hooking them up to the Front and Rear Dérailleurs.

[Retro Grouch]

Shimano or Grip Shift? It can't be both because they are different brands.

From your description it sounds like Grip shift MRX shifters. To replace the cable you have to snap them apart. I'm thinking that maybe the Sram website might have a picture of how to route the cable - it's a little goofy and I don't know how to describe it.

It's kind of cheating but those things are pretty cheap to buy. It might be worth it to buy a new pair - they'll come with brand new cables already installed and you'll have new crisp functioning shifters.

[maddmaxx]

If you go to the SRAM website...........www.sram.com and mine down to the 2:1 components page then further down to the MRX shifters, you will be able to download a manual of the modern current year stuff.

I understand that this is what you have to work with to repair this bike.

Unfortunately these components are what gave gripshifters a bad reputation. The 2:1 ration components were made to be compatable with Shimano components and they have none of the advantages of the 1:1 SRAM compatable components. They are also some of the lowest quality components available. Most times it is better as Retro Grouch said to buy a new set then to try to repair or even replace a cable.

[n4zou]

Shimano or Grip Shift? It can't be both because they are different brands.

From your description it sounds like Grip shift MRX shifters. To replace the cable you have to snap them apart. I'm thinking that maybe the Sram website might have a picture of how to route the cable - it's a little goofy and I don't know how to describe it.

It's kind of cheating but those things are pretty cheap to buy. It might be worth it to buy a new pair - they'll come with brand new cables already installed and you'll have new crisp functioning shifters.
+1
When you pop the shifter apart you'll find a U shaped spring thats easily lost. It also makes reassembly difficult. Also make sure you loop the cable once around the sleeve before routing it out of the shifter. Most of the shifters like you have are worn out by the time the cables need replacing anyway. It may be best to follow Retro Grouch in just purchasing new shifters. I detest grip shifters for several reasons other than how there designed. There hard on the wrist and if you get your hands wet they become slick making twisting them difficult. I much prefer thumb shifters. When a bike cames in with twist shifters I will talk the owner into purchasing new thumb shifters. I've never had anyone think there grip shifters were better!

[John E]

Grip Shifters are crap. Replace them with old school linear action thumb shifters, such as SunTours, and set the right one to operate in friction mode. Problem solved! (This is what I did with my wife's Ross Rock Machine.)

[maddmaxx]

I suspect that those who are violently opposed to grip shifters have never ridden with SRAM X.0 or X.9 equipment.

[Monoborracho]

I suspect that those who are violently opposed to grip shifters have never ridden with SRAM X.0 or X.9 equipment.


+1

[badger1]

I suspect that those who are violently opposed to grip shifters have never ridden with SRAM X.0 or X.9 equipment.
++1 Switched from RapidFire to Gripshift in '04; nothing wrong at all with thumb/trigger shifting either, BUT for those of us over 50s who have the beginnings of, or well advanced, osteoarthritis in the thumb joints, gripshift (or Shimano dual control) is a great option to have. Have had no problems whatsoever with X9 shifters, including cable change. As said above, best thing to do in the OP's situation is probably replace the shifters.

[BlazingPedals]

I've got Grip Shift 7 on my old hybrid. It was before the n.x series of 1:1 shifters. Still works fine (11 years,) although I went through a set of rubber grips due to deterioration. Depending on what you've got there, it could either be tricky or hard. I replaced the cable on my newer Grip Shifts, and it simply pushed in through a little port and out the front. The Shimano Quik-Shift, or whatever it was called, worked OK for me except I had a heck of a time pushing the left thumbshifter far enough to get the chain onto the big ring. It usually took two pushes with a reposition of my hand in between them.

[ad6mj]

I use the Attack Gripshifters with Shimano XT, FD and RD and they work great.

[stapfam]

Gave up on Gripshift on the MTB's when I was changing gears automatically over the bumps offroad- but Unfortunately have had to replace a few on other's bike. It has been replace as By the time the cable needed replacing- The unit was so worn- it was not worth refitting.

Those that use Gripshifters swear by them. Never understood why but every-one to their own.

[John E]

... Switched from RapidFire to Gripshift in '04 ...

RapidFire is the only thing worse than GripShift. :)

[ad6mj]

Those that use Gripshifters swear by them. Never understood why but every-one to their own.

I like them because the bars are less cluttered, I can trim the FD and shift multiple gears at once.

[n4zou]

I suspect that those who are violently opposed to grip shifters have never ridden with SRAM X.0 or X.9 equipment.
We were discussing cheap grip shifters. Also remember that cost is also a factor in the rebuilding of this bike.

[fthomas]

Thanks - n4zou!

I have been calling around local bike shops looking for a "CHEAP" set of shifters. Performance - nada.

The guy needs the bike for transportation and I really need to finish it up for him. So the hunt continues! It looks like I'll have to order them off the web. It isn't the money it is the time.

[brucewiley]

Forgive me for a vague memory but it seems like on my old set of 7 speed ones, when I changed the cable it actually made a full turn around the inside of the shifter before exiting the housing? I may be wrong but I remember it was a pain. Changed cable on an 8 speed the other day and not a bit thing.

Need grip shifts for my trekking handlebars, the trigger shifters I have on there now get whacked by a knee occasionally.

[maddmaxx]

We were discussing cheap grip shifters. Also remember that cost is also a factor in the rebuilding of this bike.

If you go to aebike.com you will find SRAM MRX shifters 6, 7 or 8 speed for 16, 17 or $18. That's about twice as much as a pair of cables and you'll be much better off.

If you look at the post above yours (#3) you'll note my comments about "cheap grip shifters" and what will have to be done about the repair of this bike given the cost constraints.

The latter post was a response to your "detest" grip shifters and "never having anyone think that their gripshifters were better" part. Sorry, but now you've hear from someone who likes them a lot. I do not consider MRX shifters and the X.X series of shifters to be the same animal at all. Lumping them all together under the same junk lable does the better equipment a disservice.

[n4zou]

I changed the cable it actually made a full turn around the inside of the shifter before exiting the housing?
Your correct. Stick the cable end in the socket, wrap the cable once around and then out the cable hole. Now use your third hand...wait...humans don't have third hands!:( Get a friend to put in the U shaped spring while your holding the cable, housing, and sleeve and try to get it back together while maintaining a good attitude. If you not good at maintaining a good attitude in difficult situations make sure your friend is immune to vile language. Never reassemble a grip shifter in the presence of nice people, especially in the bike shop, with customers.

[Retro Grouch]

If you go to aebike.com you will find SRAM MRX shifters 6, 7 or 8 speed for 16, 17 or $18. That's about twice as much as a pair of cables and you'll be much better off.

My point exactly. For all of the MRX detracters, there'a also this:

7-speed Rockhopper. That dates this bike to the early 90's. Those MRX shifters have lasted at least 15 years. At $17.00 for replacements, that works out to be roughly $1.00 per year. That's not too bad.

[fthomas]

Your correct. Stick the cable end in the socket, wrap the cable once around and then out the cable hole. Now use your third hand...wait...humans don't have third hands!:( Get a friend to put in the U shaped spring while your holding the cable, housing, and sleeve and try to get it back together while maintaining a good attitude. If you not good at maintaining a good attitude in difficult situations make sure your friend is immune to vile language. Never reassemble a grip shifter in the presence of nice people, especially in the bike shop, with customers.

Exactly! You just described the process. As a "former rock climber" (I learned long ago why people climb mountains. To go to the top and listen to the wind whistle through the holes in their head. A quote by Medic and EMT Specialist 5th Class R. Schmidt, 54th Medical Detachment - Dust Off after a grueling mountain rescue mission on Mt Rainer.) Sorry I digressed.

In addition to the process you described I thought about tying a bowline or an elephant knot in the bloody cable. It wanted to go that way on it's own. Unfortunately it doesn't help with its' job as a shifter, but might hold as part of protection in a fall.

Passing thought! Do we ride bicycles to listen to the wind whistle through the vents and the holes in our heads. I thought I heard someone whistling the other day. It must have been me.

I think I found a local source for some cheap replacements! I've haven't given up, but new ones would certainly be easier! Then all I have to do is run the cables and adjust the dérailleurs.