Bicycle Mechanics - Twist-grip Shifters

I've done a search here, and found something like three posts where twist-grip shifters were mentioned. The posters don't seem to like them.

I like them a lot; I remember having the shifters on my old ten-speed years ago, on the top tube or on the down tube for the headset. I didn't like that at all.

I'm beginning the process of making a list to start building a bicycle. It's going to be a commuter, with some touring/camping thrown in. What kind of shifters do y'all like, and why?

If you don't like the twist-grip, can you also explain that, please?

Thank you!

i find that i change gear by mistake with grip shifters - but maybe thats just me!

I have done that too, but it's generally no biggie when I've done it.

I use twist shifters and love them. If you use a short version it helps to keep the accidental shifts down because you can move your hand off of them for the most part and just move your hands in quickly. Also like that they let you move up and down gears quickly and for the front you have more than three notches so you can acctually use almost every gear combination w/o chain rub. If/when I have to replace them I'm going to keep the twist shift design. Just my $0.02, so take it for what it's worth.

Tried both - I like triggers a LOT better than I do twists the shift feels more positive

I've tried twist shifters and couldn't wait to get rid of them, but I only tried them after I'd had several years of satisfactory experience with rapid fires. Your experience may vary because I've talked with lots of riders who love their twist shifters.

My only other point about twist shifters is that no two seem to have the same cable replacement procedure. Some require pretty much complete disassembly (be sure to watch the cable routing) for a simple cable change. Shimano trigger shifter cable replacements are easier.

Tried both - I like triggers a LOT better than I do twists the shift feels more positive

My twisties give a solid *click* and the chain moves appropriately every time I shift. The old shifters I had on the 10-speed were more or less just levers where I had to feel the chain jump before I knew it was in place.

How are the triggers more positive than my twisties?

My only other point about twist shifters is that no two seem to have the same cable replacement procedure. Some require pretty much complete disassembly (be sure to watch the cable routing) for a simple cable change. Shimano trigger shifter cable replacements are easier.

I haven't had to replace the cable yet... hmmm... must. go. look....

My twisties give a solid *click* and the chain moves appropriately every time I shift. The old shifters I had on the 10-speed were more or less just levers where I had to feel the chain jump before I knew it was in place.

What kind of handlebar are you using on your bike? If you're planning on using a drop bar, you might not have the twist shift option.

What kind of handlebar are you using on your bike? If you're planning on using a drop bar, you might not have the twist shift option.

No, no ram's horns for me. I'm going to either do a straight bar, or something that sweeps back a little.

The twist shifters seem to break more easily: at the barrel adjuster; or if you're lazy and let the grips shift over, they pop open and the springs pop out; the main bodies also crack easily. They also seem more sensitive to dirty cable and housing. And as RG noted, replacing the inner wire in them is inconsistent in design and generally a pain. But most of my experience is with the cheapies. In their defense, the newer MRXs and 3.0s and better have a decent, positive feel to them.

While the older rapidfire shifters have their own faults (namely, failure due to sticky pawls), they are easier to install and have a better overall feel.

I do prefer twist-shifters (vs. up/down indexed levers) for the following reasons, IMO:
1) Allows me to keep a FIRM grip and the same hand position on the handlebars while shifting. (especially good for climbing and bumps)
2) Less prone to shifting fractional gears than levers, and easier to correct quickly when it does happen. (i.e. I can select my gear more accurately)
3) Same mechanism to shift both up and down, rather than switching finger/thumb.
4) Fewer un-intended shifts due to bumping the levers accidentally. (DoH!)
5) Takes up a little bit less handlebar space.
6) My first bike with gears had twist-shifters, so I have a 10-year head-start with them.

YMMV. I only have experience with two shifters - the lever/trigger type has just annoyed me more,
especially when I accidentally pop the front derailleur out of place by bumping its over-eager
spring loaded trigger - sometimes it even triggers spontaneously if it hasn't been used in a while -
but I can live with both.

I have both Shimano Rapidfire and SRAM gripshifts on different bikes. I would say I prefer the shifting the the rapidfires when they work right, but the SRAMs are simpler to keep working. I put SRAMs on the bike I just built up for consistency with our tandem. I use high-end shorties. I have smallish hands and do not have a problem with unexpected shifts.

All in all, if you choose better grade components in either style, I think you will be well served.

Doc

I have had two twist shifters and I liked them. Both were SRAM with a short twist section that you worked with the thumb and forefinger. I never had problems with shifting when I didnt want it. The first one was a cheaper version and the shifts were not as crisp. The thing I liked best was the ability to shift across several gears in one go. Cable changing was easier on the more expensive version.

I was riding a cheap *mart bike with twist shifters. I hated them! It was prolly largly due to the fact that it was a cheap *mart bike though... My biggest problem was I could never remember which way to twist so Id be going up a steep hill or something and *everytime* (Im serious) I would shift up on accident.

I just got a Giant Iguana and love the triggers. They are much quicker for shifting and easier to remember which trigger does what. For commuting speed prolly wont matter as much though. What ever floats your boat.

Okay, well, I've heard a lot from both ends of the spectrum! I had to look at my shifters; they have the Shimano nameplate on them. I have even replaced the rear cable once, and it was pretty easy.

I guess that kind of answers my question, because it tells me that people have tried all kinds of shifters, and they like all kinds. I'm pretty firmly in the twist-grip camp myself, and like bkrownd said, I can keep my hands in the same position that I was riding in to shift.

Now, next question is... who makes the best twist-grip shifters? Doesn't look like Shimano carries them anymore. What I'm looking for is the ability to shift at least nine gears on the cassette, even ten if possible. Plus the triple on the crankset.

Biggest problem with twist shifters: sore wrists.

I love grip shifters simply because you can crank it down to your bail out gear when you turn a blind corner and suddenly find yourself unprepared for a steep hill.

I had SRAM Attack 3x9 shifters on my MTB before it got stolen. I loved them, thought they were pretty much ideal for any bike with flat bars. I think grip shifters have a bad rep because of the ones on department store bikes, which have a very loose feel and don't allow trimming the front derailleur.

I love grip shifters simply because you can crank it down to your bail out gear when you turn a blind corner and suddenly find yourself unprepared for a steep hill.

This very thing happened to me in a race and saved my butt. (I arrived late and couldn't check out the course first.)

I still have my GripShift X-rays and have never had a problem with them. They are circa 1993/94, so they are quite old.

It just boils down to what you like....it's a Ford/Chevy thing. :)

I think anyone who likes twist shifters must never have tried trigger shifters.

I think anyone who likes twist shifters must never have tried trigger shifters.
Not true. My girlfriend has Twisties and she doesn't like my triggers. Go figure

I think anyone who likes twist shifters must never have tried trigger shifters.

nope, I don't like the triggers as much; my wife like the triggers better....

I like the SRAM gripshifters because they are not Shimano

I also prefer grip shifters, and you definitely CAN put some on top of drop bars. You need special shifters but they do exist. I got a set from the sheldonbrown (Harris) web site and built them on to a Centurion road/touring bike. I added those old brake levers with extensions bars that I always liked. I could brake and shift from the top of the bars or drop low when I feel like it. I still love that bike but have since built another road/touring setup (Raleigh Technium) with the nexus-7 internal hub. Took it on a two day trip to try out the gear range and pretty much decided I nailed it perfectly. Low enough for hills and high enough for 25 mph loaded cruising. Cant wait to upgrade it to the nexus-8 with STI brake-shifters to get better hand postions, shifting, and slightly taller gear.

dbg@att.net

I still love that bike but have since built another road/touring setup (Raleigh Technium) with the nexus-7 internal hub. Took it on a two day trip to try out the gear range and pretty much decided I nailed it perfectly. Low enough for hills and high enough for 25 mph loaded cruising. Cant wait to upgrade it to the nexus-8 with STI brake-shifters to get better hand postions, shifting, and slightly taller gear.

Do you find the weight distribution of the nexus hub to be annoying? I've never ridden an internally-geared bike, but I hear it feels weird having a lot of extra weight right over the rear wheel. I'm thinking of converting an old 10-speed to a nexus, and was wondering about this issue...

I installed SRAM XO shifters a year ago. I've never looked back and I've never shifted out of gear by mistake. The other types of shifters are for wusses! :p

Do you find the weight distribution of the nexus hub to be annoying? I've never ridden an internally-geared bike, but I hear it feels weird having a lot of extra weight right over the rear wheel. I'm thinking of converting an old 10-speed to a nexus, and was wondering about this issue...


Actually it is noticeable and a little annoying at first. But it's pretty minor to me. Plus it's my current touring frame and I have extra (inline) brake levers on top, and a GPS, and sometimes other hardware that actually balances it out a little.