Grip shift or triggers

Big Guy

Big Guy

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I am planning to upgrade the drivetrain on my Coiler. I now have some Shimano LX.

I am looking at the SRAM X9 rear derailleur and am debating if I should go with grip shifters or with the trigger shifter.

I always had trigger shifters, so even if it is a bit different, the X9 triggers would be a quick transition.

My fear with the grip shifter is that you have to move the index off the brake when shifting. But I see it on expensive bike, there must be some benefits.

I would like you comments / impressions

Thanks
 
I had the sram grip shifts on my loaner bike and I didnt like them at all. I've used the shimano trigger shifters on all of my bikes and I wouldn't change unless I had to. Just a preference thing though.

The grip shifters on the loaner were really thick and they take away about 2 inches of the grip. I'm sure anyone could get used to that, but I like to stick with what works. I would say stay with the triggers if thats what you're used to.
 
I've got the X9 trigger shifters on my bike. Previously I've always had XT shifters. The X9's are far superior IMO. They're a 1:1 pull ratio compared to the XT's 2:1, I think, which makes the X9 shifting feel super fast and crisp. Plus with the X9's you can shift up a buttload of gears with one push of the button. Sorry, I have no experience with grip shitters (sorry, I meant shifters), although I ride with a friend who swears by them, but then he rips it up on a 12 year old $200 Novara that he got at REI, and he wears his 15 year old P.E. clothes from high school to boot. :-s
 
Got Shimano triggers and GripShift .

I think the triggers have faults to. They stab my thumb knuckle at times. They take up some grip or slid them in so they don't stab. Then I have to reach for it and still have to use index finger to shift. Worst thing is they get busted up in crashes. Replaced lots of these. my right one has a gap where there used to be a shift indicator. Gonna fail but when?

The twist shifters are easy to get used to. Accidental shifts are vary rare. Maybe 3-4 times ever. Always get the gear I want on shifts. Even if it is all the way across the cog. Front derailier shifts are not thumb breakers that you rachet six strokes to go from granny to big ring. Never had to replace a shifter from crash or wear. But cable saw must do something.

I vote SRAM derailiers also.
 
I vote for triggers all the way. I've got X9 triggers w/ an XO rr der. and love it. The nice thing about the X9's is you don't have to take your fingers off the brakes to shift. Twist shifters just seemed very clumbsy when I tried them on my friends bike. After switching from XTR shifters/der. I have to say I like the SRAM a LOT more, much more crisp shifting and less chain slap with the XO.
 
X9 Triggers for me.

I had grips shift on my hardtail, I have LX triggers on my Epic but for my new bike, I ordered X9 triggers.

All are OK. It's a personal preference I suppose. I was looking at Shimano's XTR integrated shifters/brake levers but was scared away by the cost of a crash replacement.

I personally prefer triggers. I tried the X9's recently and instantly fell in love with them. Much more positive shifting than my LX's. I heard SRAM is going to make XO triggers too.

Now if Turner would get off their ass and build my frame, I could put those shifters through a real test.

C
 
I have XO gripshifters on one bike and X-7 triggers on the other. I like them both.

Grip shifters will take some getting used to, but work well they make it easy to adjust the front derailleur precisely where you want it. There are fewer grip options, however, especially if you want lock-on grips.

Triggers work well too, the only negative I see is that in a crash the thumb shifter might break off because they are long and stick out and they are made of some really soft metal.
 
I went to The Path Bike shop today. Once again, great advices. they also recommended the trigger shifters.
So this is what I will go with. I will also change my front derailleur. my front derailleur is a plain Shimano, I might upgrade to a XT or XTR.

Lucky, I have a long weekend to try it. \:D/

I love new toys. :D
 
So, I got a SRAM X.9 in the back, XT in the front, with trigger shifters. While they were working on the bike, they checked the chain, of course it was stretched, new chain.

Brad looked at my rear cassette which seemed loose, he opened it to see if the hub needed to be thightened. As he pulled the cassette off, the freewheel part came in 6 different pieces and the bearings went flying all over. so, I got a new wheel with a XT hub.

Off course, my BB was also in a bad shape (all the water and mud from last winter).

So I have practically a complete new drive train.

But, oh, does it shift nice. I went for an easy ride and I could not believe the difference. \:D/

Thank you for everybody's advises
 
a bit above $400, :(

Many of my friends gave me some gift certificate from The Path for my 40th birthday last week. So, it only cost me $150 \:D/

I guess it's one of the advantages of getting old, actually, it's the only one I've found so far... :lol:
 
Big Guy said:
a bit above $400,  :(

Many of my friends gave me some gift certificate from The Path for my 40th birthday last week. So, it only cost me $150  \:D/

I guess it's one of the advantages of getting old, actually, it's the only one I've found so far... :lol:
Click to expand...
well...another advantage is that,we are getting better at riding too. or at least is what a tell my self since i'll be forty this year my self :lol:
 
what kind of hubs did you get?

I have seen those problems with XT hubs on many people that have them. What kind of hub did you get on your rear wheel? (I also have the SRAM triggers, they are the best available in my opinion)

Big Guy said:
So, I got a SRAM X.9 in the back, XT in the front, with trigger shifters. While they were working on the bike, they checked the chain, of course it was stretched, new chain.

Brad looked at my rear cassette which seemed loose, he opened it to see if the hub needed to be thightened. As he pulled the cassette off, the freewheel part came in 6 different pieces and the bearings went flying all over. so, I got a new wheel with a XT hub.

Off course, my BB was also in a bad shape (all the water and mud from last winter).

So I have practically a complete new drive train.

But, oh, does it shift nice. I went for an easy ride and I could not believe the difference.  \:D/

Thank you for everybody's advises
Click to expand...
 
My new wheel is a XT, the broken one is a simple Shimano

I might have to get a high end hub when this one goes but I was not ready to invest this much at this point.

It is something we discussed at the shop. I had to compremise.
 
update on the new drivetrain

Shimano agreed to replaced the hub, I only had the bike for 5 months. So I now have a spare wheel. \:D/

I love the SRAM, shifting is great! but 2 week after I bought it, we did Tunnel in SB. The most technical trail I ever done. It's Chiquita on steroid!!!! after a few good crashes, I could not shift my front derailleur, I had bent the shifter. I also bent the rear derailleur hanger and the DERAILLEUR itself!!!. ](*,)

So $150 later, I have a new derailleur and a new shifter.

But darn, it shifts good
 
I know you had told me exactly that! But I never broke any shifter before. You probably jinxed it :D


When I got the bike back, I kept the bent shifter and was able to straighten it back in the vise. It might not survive another crash but now I have a spare one.

If I could only do the same with the bent derailleur...
 

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