opinions/facts - XT thumbies Vs XT trigger shifters??

[canuckinboston]

Ok..I'd want SIS mode not friction, and don't need or want 9 gears (heard somewhere that 8 was more reliable)

Anyone know how to find that extra 8th indexed gear?

 

[Hooter]

It's not really a hidden click, it's just there. 7 and 8 speed systems use the same cassette spacing, so the existing 7 indexing positions will work, and you'll find there is one extra position available when you use an 8 speed cassette.

 

[PurpleFrog]

a friend had a sudden impact (on a downhill IIRC) and broke one of his thumbs on his way over the bars because it was under the handlebar, since then i've always found it more comfy with thumbs over the top!

Breaking your thumb this way is pretty unique. Otoh riders who have needed new teeth, new faces, and new brains because they weren't holding on to the bars properly when they hit a pot hole on the road could fill a very large hospital ward. Honestly - you'd be much better off stopping this.

 

[dyna-ti]

Yup,id agree,not holding the bars properly is a recipe for disaster.No way you can properly grip :? especially when going over bumpy ground

 

[topshifter]

getting a new (to me) bike that has '97 XT trigger shifters.. I always hankered after XT thumbies as a teenager thinking they were lighter and more simple with less to go wrong and a bit beefier build quality..

are any of the above points true??! whats the general consensus??

what evers comfortable bro. i guess that your hand is more clasped round the grip, for better control when shifting with trigs, but thumbies are just the badboys! especially xt2s. stay retro hombre

 

[baj]

still undecided about thumbies but think i'll stick with the RFs for now.. thanks for all your comments, its been an interesting debate!

cheers Purplefrog/Dynati, you have a good point there! I think i probably do hold it properly most of the time i just noticed the other day my thumbs on top for a while and it reminded me of the thumb breaking story... found it comfy for city riding where i don't change gear much.. will adjust accordingly though after your comments!

 

[KeepItSteel]

funny because i have the same dilemma with my current build, thumbies or M739 shifters.
most of the replies are correct in my opinion as both of these shifters were the best it ever got from shimano.
I found that the M739's tend to wear out a bit quicker (after 5 years or so!) but they are more intuitive to use and look nice and compact.
Thumbies are retro uber cool and also work beautifully but feel a little more awkward to use when twisting your thumb up and over to use them.

both great shifters , both work great , and both will no doubt grace my bike again.
if i HAD to choose one, id take the M739's by a whisker.

 

[RockiMtn]

only thumbies remaining are on my 92 stratos which is completely stock. other than that, sold all pairs of thumbies i've owned and never looked back.
rapid fires only on my blizzard, as i'm trying to kit it with M900.

i can get along with thumbies (as well as triggers), but grip/twist shifters are almost as simple as thumbies, but to me, better.