Mountain Biking - rapid rise

anyone care to explaine what rapid rise is and exactly how it works? or perhaps just point me to a webpage that will tell me if you dont want to type too much...

I believe it is a derailleur that is sprung so that it is always in the lowest gear and you use cable force to pull it down to the higher gears. Just the opposite of most derailleurs. Your shifters will work backwards of what you normally think of. That is the best way I can explain it. It is supposed to aid in the downshifting under a load.

I had one once, hated it and took it off and put a regular der. back on.

Rapid-Rise is actually not a bad idea in concept because it is supposed to allow you to downshift easier under load. However, because of the way most index shifting designs work currently, this means you can only downshift one gear at a time. While this may be okay for the really experienced racer who would prefer to be able to upshift multiple gears at a time, the typical mountain bike rider will oftentimes find themselves in situations where it is more desirable to downshift a handfull of gears at once.

huh... I was doing a little looking around and couldnt figure out if this was one of those things that only worked with the new flipey shifters or what. And from what I could tell I thought it was sprung both ways which didnt make much sence. Thanks for the info guys.

huh... I was doing a little looking around and couldnt figure out if this was one of those things that only worked with the new flipey shifters or what. And from what I could tell I thought it was sprung both ways which didnt make much sence. Thanks for the info guys.

Nope... it isn't specific to the new shifters. RapidRise has been around a long time and has been available across Shimano's MTB lineup for close to a decade now. Until recently, it normally got spec'ed only on the entry level recreational bikes because it was "less confusing" to new riders. The non-Shimano generic industry term for them is low-normal and the design is not anywhere near new.

Now I kinda wish I knew somone with one on their bike so I could ride it around. Im very currious how this works, but im not spending 100 bucks on a derailur just to check it out.

Now I kinda wish I knew somone with one on their bike so I could ride it around. Im very currious how this works, but im not spending 100 bucks on a derailur just to check it out.

Go to a bike shop and ask if they have any bikes with Rapid-Rise.

(crosspost)
I just put the XT rapid rise rear d. on my 8sp. w/ mediocre shifters. I notice almost no difference with my old Deore, which lasted me 3 yrs+ hard riding. No difference except everything is backwards, now! I actually felt it easier to downshift with the thumb, rather than the forward-positioned downshift with the rapid rise. I'd say, fellas, stick with the old style if it saves you bling.

If I could find one, I'd buy a complete XTR 8-speed groupo from '98. It worked and worked and worked. The 8-speed shifted well, was easy to adjust and was strong as HECK!

Anyone got some NOS around?

L8R

jenson seems to get some vintage 8spd stuff in sometimes... not often but if you watch for it you can find it.

jenson seems to get some vintage 8spd stuff in sometimes... not often but if you watch for it you can find it.

Only when I can least afford to buy it. My timing is always off!

L8R

If I could find one, I'd buy a complete XTR 8-speed groupo from '98. It worked and worked and worked. The 8-speed shifted well, was easy to adjust and was strong as HECK!

Anyone got some NOS around?

L8R

I've got a front derailleur kicking around...everything else is still installed and working just fine. :D

Rapid Rise got a lot of bad press from the mainstream magazines back in those days. I never understood why. The physics make perfect sense. It only required a brief period (less than one ride, IIRC) to get used to the trigger swap.

anyone care to explaine what rapid rise is and exactly how it works? or perhaps just point me to a webpage that will tell me if you dont want to type too much...
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That's what I've always attributed to a good looking Girl walking by.... Sorry 4 any offensions.

Haro...what the heck are you talking about?

Rapid Rise of course!

Good one Haro!

Rapid Rise of course!

Good one Haro!
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I saw some guys from Fla. up here this past weekend... I thought of your earlier post. They were in a Black Chevy Tahoe w/ a trailer hauling their bikes..... Some people just don't have a sense of humor, huh?

Rapid Rise of course!

Good one Haro!

No I realize that...I just don't get what the statement is saying..oh well must be slow because after re-reading it I still don't get what is like a girl walking by or the picture...

I wish I was up there! I was invited to hit Tsali this weekend, but alas I've got too many other commitments.

I'm trying to work out coming up for Memorial Day. You gonna be around?

Anyone else?

L8R

I wish I was up there! I was invited to hit Tsali this weekend, but alas I've got too many other commitments.

I'm trying to work out coming up for Memorial Day. You gonna be around?

Anyone else?

L8R

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Well, since I live here, yes... I ride Mon/Wed/Fri every week year 'round, unless of course there's a monsoon. It's kinda neat being the only one to ride in the snow.... I usually ride N. Mills River (Trace Ridge parking area).